fbpx

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

‘If I Shall Be Incarcerated, Then So Be It’: China Church Leader Won’t Stop Spreading Gospel

April 13, 2022 — ChristianHeadlines.com reports: “A leader of an illegal house church in China says he does not fear the government and will continue preaching the gospel despite engaging in activity that could land him in prison.

The man, known only as Gianni for security reasons, leads a church in the city of Chengdu and has had his water and electricity shut off by police as an intimidation tactic. He also has been detained multiple times.

Despite this, Gianni told International Christian Concern that he will continue to spread the Good News.

‘I am not afraid of the government’s secret investigation,’ Gianni told ICC via encrypted technology. ‘Our faith is ‘declare with your mouth and believe in your heart,’ publicly testifying for Him in the name of Jesus Christ. It is neither the Church’s responsibility nor does it have the capacity to counter the investigation. We are a fellowship formed by God’s children, not a spy agency. [Our purpose] is so that the souls live in truth, freedom, and joy, not to make our flesh more secure.’

Protestant churches in China are required to become members of the government-backed Three-Self Patriotic Movement – an action that technically makes the congregations legal but also elicits severe restrictions, such as the editing of sermons. Children also are forbidden from attending Three-Self churches. Because of this, millions of Christians – such as Gianni – worship in illegal house churches…”  (In Acts 5, the high priest and the Sadducees arrested Peter and the Apostles and put them in prison.  The Angel of the Lord opened the prison door to release them and told them to: Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life – Acts 5:20.   The captain and his officers brought them back before the council who stated: …Did we not straitly command you that ye should not teach in his name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man –Acts 5:28, 29.  After a long discussion, we read in verses 40 – 42: when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  And 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 ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.  Throughout the ages there have been those who have followed this example, obeying God rather than man, and many have paid the price for it.  In Hebrews 11 we have the “Hall of Fame of Faith” and it lists many that were delivered by their faith, but is also says: …others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:35 – 38.  God’s promise to His people – Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. – Revelation 2:10.) 

‘They Killed So Many People’: Nigerian Terrorists Conduct Easter Sunday Massacre

April 20, 2022 — Breitbart.com reports: “Militants of the outlawed Nigerian separatist group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) perpetrated a deadly armed attack on both Nigerian soldiers and civilians on Easter Sunday in southern Nigeria’s Imo state, Nigeria’s Premium Times online newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Armed members of the IPOB attacked the Ihioma community in Imo state’s Orlu Local Government Area on April 17, killing an unspecified number of Nigerian civilians and troops.

‘The gunmen … were said to be on a manhunt for members of Ebubeagu Security Network, who reportedly arrived in the area last Saturday [April 16],’ according to the Premium Times…”  (Great persecution will soon overtake most Christians in a majority of the world.  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:10 – 12; If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  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.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. – John 15:18 – 21; …When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.  — Revelation 6:9; …I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4; and Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. – Revelation 2:10.  See the next report.)

Violence against Christians in Nigeria ‘warrants a state of emergency’

April 5, 2022 — ChristianToday.com reports: “Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has called on the Nigerian government ‘to do far more to counter the alarming surge in violence’ by Islamist terrorists against Christians in the north-central state of Kaduna.

CSW has just issued a report detailing a string of terror attacks in March. The report has been sent by Roman Catholic peer Lord Alton to the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion, Fiona Bruce MP, and Africa Minister Vicky Ford for consideration.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said the situation in Kaduna ‘warrants a state of emergency’.

‘To all intents and purposes Kaduna state is under a comprehensive siege by a significant number of armed non-state actors who appear to be coordinating their activities, heightening the vulnerability of civilians. Residents cannot travel safely by road, air or train, and are not even safe in their own homes.

‘The significant rise in abductions for ransom are particularly worrying, as they indicate an effort to raise funds illicitly for unknown malign purposes. The situation in Kaduna warrants a state of emergency,’ he said…”