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| Persecuted Church , 
Hebrews 3:3-- Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Matthew 16:13-18 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will say something about the persecuted church, basically drawing from the Great Puritan Theologian, John Owens. He tells us two important things about the above text in Matthew. (1) The person of Christ, the Son of the Living God became through His human nature, the anointed Messiah/Savior, holding executing the duties of three offices, Prophet, Priest, and King. These foundational truths are the Rock, (Peter’s confession not Peter himself) that Matthew speaks about above. (2) The power and policy of hell will be always engaged in opposing this foundation, and the building of Christ’s church, which He is the head. More from Newsletter, Heartbeat 53 The gates of hell, as all agree, are the power and policy of it, or the acting’s of Satan, both as a lion and as a serpent, by rage and by subtlety. He does not act in a visible manner, in his own person, but by his agents. His always has two sorts of them, that work for him. He uses one class of demons and through them carries out his intention,which is his rage.and by the other his craft; which is his seductions, he now is acting like a lion and then acting like a serpent. The Satanic work of this kind is of a double nature; --- the one, an effect of his power and rage, acted by the world in persecution--- the other, of his policy and craft, acted by heretics in seduction. By both means he works so as to separate the church from its foundation. Christ our Leader was treated by contempt, insults, slanders, false accusations, blasphemy of his doctrine, reviling of His person and the like. Christ has made it clear to His followers that for the most part that persecution will be their lot in life. . Please visit http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php I Peter 4:12-19--12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify 0God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. |
The gates of hell, as all agree, are the power and policy of it, or the acting’s of Satan, both as a lion and as a serpent, by rage and by subtlety. He does not act in a visible manner, in his own person, but by his agents. His always has two sorts of them, that work for him. He uses one class of demons and through them carries out his intention,which is his rage.and by the other his craft; which is his seductions, he now is acting like a lion and then acting like a serpent. The Satanic work of this kind is of a double nature; --- the one, an effect of his power and rage, acted by the world in persecution--- the other, of his policy and craft, acted by heretics in seduction. By both means he works so as to separate the church from its foundation. Christ our Leader was treated by contempt, insults, slanders, false accusations, blasphemy of his doctrine, reviling of His person and the like. Christ has made it clear to His followers that for the most part that persecution will be their lot in life. . Please visit http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php I Peter 4:12-19--12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify 0God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. |
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