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Text: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
As far as the Jewish leaders were concerned, Jesus Christ was put to death for political reasons. His ministry was of such a nature as to threaten the security of Israel. It was for this reason that the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together a council.
"What do we?" they questioned, "for this man doeth many miracles. If we let Him alone, all men will believe on Him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation."
Then Caiaphas, the High Priest, responded, "Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."
(John 11:48-50; see also: Mark 3:6)
So it was that in the eyes of Israel’s national leaders, Jesus Christ suffered for "political" reasons.
The Church of Jesus Christ has from its inception also suffered for supposed "political" reasons. With only brief respites in history, the state has constantly menaced the Church. Philip Schaff tells us that for 300 years the Roman government prohibited by law the free exercise of Christianity, and that the profession of it was punishable as a "political" crime.
Of the ten major persecutions undertaken by the Romans, the third century witnessed two "Imperial" persecutions which were empire wide in their scope and the complete extermination of the Church was their aim. Religious toleration meant meeting "State Requirements" included among which was the giving honor and worship to the Roman emperor, and rendering complete obedience to all the laws of the empire. Christians were thus required to surrender their allegiance and worship to the State.
In each of the Synoptic Gospels Christ warned His people, "Ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake." (Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17) But why was the early church so hated? In his book Great Leaders of the Christian Church, Mr. Elgin Moyer states three reasons: first, Rigid Morality; second, Loyalty and Devotion to Christ; and third, Religious exclusivism. Because Christians separated from employments and diversions which involved heathen worship, superstition or immorality, they were considered "Unsociable." Because they sought to be obedient to the Lord’s command of making disciples of all nations, they became offensive to Roman Law. Because they used no images in their worship, they were considered "Atheists." Because they refused to obey laws violating their consciences, they were considered "Anarchists." Because they conducted unlicensed meetings, they were regarded as "Criminal." Because they observed the Lord’s Supper, they were Considered "Cannibals."
If they were willing to sacrifice, they would be acquitted, but as Mr. Williston Walker says, from the standpoint of a faithful Christian, this was a test which could only be met by martyrdom, and thousands of men and women, young people in the blossom of life, as well as "budding" children met this test and "sailed through bloody seas." Others sought refuge in the Catacombs, a series of subterranean passages estimated by some to be 900 miles in length, most of which had been made to serve as burial vaults.
Yet, the Blessed Redeemer did not leave them comfortless. "Blessed are ye," He said, "when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and shall cast out your name as Evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven: for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
The passage then continues with a series of solemn warnings: "But woe unto you that are Rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger! Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:22-26)
But
to His Church Christ counseled, "Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of
your Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:44,45a)
You are invited to attend –
THE PILGRIM’S BIBLE CHURCH
In the Chapel of the Bon Air
Residential Hotel
Sundays-- 11:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
Wednesdays -- 7:30 P.M.
Telephone ---404-790-9396
In March 1549, John Calvin was deprived by death of his wife Idelette. In the midst of his grief he wrote to Viret: "Truly mine is no common grief. I have been bereaved of the best friend of my life; of one who if it had been so ordained, would willingly have shared not only my poverty, but also my death. During her life she was the
faithful helper of my ministry. From her I never experienced the slightest hindrance."
He lived 15 years more, but never married.
"THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: WHO SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, AND FROM THE GLORY OF HIS POWER." - II Thessalonians 1: 7-9
3, 1468 --Germany. John Gutenberg dies. He was born as John Gensfleish which translates "goose-flesh" and which for embarrassment he has changed to the name of his mother’s side of the family --"Gutenberg." He will be buried in the Franciscan Church at Mainz. As a young man he was a goldsmith, but today he dies leaving behind his 42 line Bible --the first printed on his printing press, the first one with moveable type in the western world.
8, 356 --Turkey. After a long series of intrigues against him, Athanasius discovers the "Duke" Syrianus has surrounded the church of St. Thomas with 5000 soldiers intending to arrest him this night. He escapes into Egypt.
8, 1523 --Germany. In a letter to Frederick, Martin Luther, Philip Melancthon, Amsdorff, Bugen-hagen and Linck consult together because of a philippic their prince has received from the Pope. "No prince," they write, "can undertake a war without the consent of the people from whose hands he received the government..."
13, 1728--Massachusetts. Cotton Mather dies. Some time ago, "I took my little daughter Katie into my study; and there I told my child, that I am shortly to die, and she must, when I am dead, remember everything that I said unto her.
"I set before her the sinful and woeful condition of her nature and I charged her to pray in secret places, every day without ceasing that God for the sake of Jesus Christ would give her a new heart, and pardon her sins, and make her a servant of His.
"I gave her to understand that when I am taken from her, she must look to meet with more humbling afflictions than she does now she has a careful and tender Father to provide for her.
"I signified unto her, that the people of God would much observe how she carried herself and that I had written a book about ungodly children in the conclusion whereof I say, that this book will be a terrible witness against my own children, if any of them should not be Godly.
