Christian Living
Acts 7:51-60 (King James Version)
51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
In this passage it tells how Stephen tells others, of how they have rejected Jesus and God's laws.
I was reading this passage and it reminded me of emails that I have received in the last few weeks.
I have received many emails on the hate crime bill, that is now going through Congress and the Senate. Many are saying that the terminology in this bill, will be used against Christians. That speaking of homosexuality in a negative way, could get preachers arrested. If a preacher does a sermon say on Leviticus 18:22, and someone that heard the sermon commits a hate crime against someone the preacher could be arrested. Now please don't get me wrong, I think hate crimes are totally wrong, no group of people should ever have violence inflicted upon them because of race,religion,gender,or sexuality. I am just trying to figure out how the preacher could be arrested, for preaching what is in the bible. By arresting the preacher, would that not be crime against his First Amendment? Free exercise of religion, infringe the freedom of speech.If the preacher is preaching what the bible states is wrong. Now if he was promoting pure hate, that would be completely wrong. Many states have tried to pass the same sex marriages, wanting everyone to say that it is ok. In the bible it states that it is wrong, and Abomination. I guess all I truly want to say, is that everyone is entitled to their opinion. That no group should be silenced. That no person should ever have to experience hate crimes. It is wrong for a person to be persecuted because of their lifestyle,beliefs, or their race. Parts of the bill are for hate crimes but some parts are to shut up Christians. I truly believe there will come a day, that once again Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs. That we will have to go underground to read the word of God. That it will be against the law to carry a bible, and that telling of Jesus Christ you will be put to death. Eventually, it could all come to past, only God knows. In Luke 21:12-19 it tells of how Christians will be persecuted. I truly know that everything that is written in the bible will be fulfilled. So let us get busy telling the world about Jesus Christ, and not stop even if others try to silence us.
In Luke 21:12-19
12: But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13: And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14: Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16: And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18: But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19: In your patience possess ye your souls.
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