Acts 8:1, Saul persecutes the Church, part 1 of 2
Author: R New
I'm a 1959 Baby Boomer which has allowed me to see drastic changes in the Christian landscape. I grew up going to Church every Sunday, in those days the Bible still had strong roots in America. In my 20's, I participated with the Church in public meetings. There were about eight of us who would go out to a street corner or public park to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were horns, a bass drum, singing, and a short Salvation message from the Bible. Suddenly, that all changed. The city passed ordinances to prohibit that type of public "solicitation." Today, it seems almost illegal to mention the Gospel to the younger generation.
I retired at the age of 62. As a person living for the testimony of Jesus Christ, I always felt like a salmon swimming against the current. Work was always a struggle between trying to be a decent individual while dealing with "progressive" and "left wing" changes at the workplace.
It's clear that there is a force in the world that is quietly eliminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ while making Christians look like enemies of humanity. At the same time, there is a force in the world that has power over physiology and is able to form thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is definitely against Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 is something I always want to cling to, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." I know the suffering of spiritual assault that hinders a constructive lifestyle & when frustration & anger seems to be the sole option - I know we can survive through the Cross of Christ. We have a home in the Kingdom of Heaven waiting for us.
Isaiah’s description of the Christ matches the life of Jesus.
Isaiah 11:1-5
Stephen calls on God to forgive his persecutors.
Acts 7:58b-60, Stephen part 14 of 14
Isaiah Table of Contents chapters 1-10
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Stephen is stoned to death after seeing heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:55-58a, Stephen part 13 of 14
Global government and its global culture will be mowed down by the Mighty One, our Lord.
Isaiah 10:33-34
Jewish rulers were extremely infuriated with Stephen for preaching to them in the name of Jesus.
Acts 7:54 , Stephen part 12 of 14
Global government brings persecution but God gives eternal life for faithfulness to Christ.
Isaiah 10:24-26
Jewish people resist the Holy Spirit who is given through Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:51-53, Stephen 11 0f 14
Remnant survives the destruction of the earth and righteousness will overflow in eternal life.
Isaiah 10:20-23