~ Early Christians Martyred: 5th Step ~
Introduction ~ In the
early chapters of the Book of Acts we see a typical pattern leading to
martyrdom of an Apostle: 1-Jailed, 2-Commanded, 3-Threatened, 4-Imprisioned,
5-Beatings, and finally 6-Death – promoted to paradise!
Jailed (Step 1) ~
First they were seized followed by jailing.
Commanded (Step 2) ~
Secondly, they were commanded to stop telling people about Jesus.
Threatened (Step 3) ~
They were threatened, but let go.
Imprisoned (Step 4) ~
They were manhandled and put in prison.
Beatings (Step 5) ~
Next, they experienced physical beatings.
“When
they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that
they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed
from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every
house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40b-42).
Comments ~ (1) James
reminds us to “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that
the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
(2)
“Indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all
who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” Ultimately truth cannot be
denied. That is why atheists and agnostics exist—they fight against Truth. Are
their groups fighting against the tooth fairy? Of course not, you don’t fight
against something which is not real!
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW blog.
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