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Showing posts with the label Persecution

True Christian Women

By Angela Wittman The Execution of Lady Jane Grey , by the French painter Paul Delaroche , 1833 Wikipedia 'Good people, I have come hither to die and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact, indeed, against the Queen's Highness was unlawful and the consenting thereto by me. But touching the procurement and desire thereof by me or on my behalf I do wash my hands in innocence. Before God and the face of you, good Christian people, this day I pray you all, to bear me witness that I die a true Christian woman, and that I look to be saved by none other means, but only by the mercy of God, in the merits of the blood of his only son, Jesus Christ. And I confess, when I did know the word of God, I neglected the same, loved myself and the world, and thereto the plague or punishment is happily and worthily happened unto me for my sins. And yet, I thank God of His goodness that he hath thus given me a time and respite to repent. And now good people, while I am alive, I pray you to a

Are You A Fearless Believer?

By Angela Wittman James Renwick - Martyred Covenanter I can think of nothing more stirring than hearing accounts of those martyred for their faith. While there are those who scoff at the zeal of Christians willing to lay down their lives for Jesus Christ, history proves that those who have done so were full of the grace and joy of the Holy Spirit even until the very end. These men and women who counted their lives not as dear as the Gospel impacted the world for Christ in a way that will never be forgotten. J. C. McFeeters, author of “ Sketches of the Covenanters ” writes this about those who spill their blood for the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “God has His own way of calling out His witnesses, and assigning service to them. The Church, as a whole, has invalidated and incapacitated herself for this responsibility, by weakness, declension, and compromise. God does not commit His testimony to the Church, while in such condition; nor to the faithful in the Church, whose voice and

Were the Solway Martyrs martyred for the Judicial Laws of Moses?

By Angela Wittman "Were the Solway Martyrs martyred for the Judicial Laws of Moses?  No.  They were martyred for a very specific liturgical reason:  they would not say 'God save the King.'  While it is true that they believed God was Lord over the State, the specific context dealt with God's lordship over the Church." - Jacob Aitken ( Bayou Huguenot ) in response to the article Covenanter Theonomy I recently came across the article "Covenanter Theonomy" posted at the blog Theonomy Resources and while I agreed with the history presented of the Scottish Covenanters, I almost fell out of my chair when I perceived the author to be linking the "two Margarets" martyrdom to theonomy. So, out of respect for the memories of those two noble " Ladies of the Covenant " I feel compelled to present their story as history records. First of all, let's define the term "theonomy" as it is used today: Theopedia defines theonomy as &qu

The Stefanos Foundation: Serving the persecuted Church in Nigeria

By Angela Wittman ‘Remember those in prison as if you yourself were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourself were suffering’ ~ Hebrews 13:3 The Stefanos Foundation describes itself as ‘the rising hope of the persecuted’ and bringing hope to a troubled nation while working for peace and justice.  Some of their featured projects  include widows support , care of orphans , trauma counseling , advocacy / media awareness , and rehabilitation/reconstruction  of burned and damaged homes while providing micro-funding to small businesses and helping to establish self-supporting small businesses. The foundation also provides advocacy and legal aid for those imprisoned and suffering injustice throughout the region. Their goal is to serve God’s Church by speaking as advocates for the persecuted while showing Christian love and compassion to all parties involved. Evangelism efforts include facilitating a radio program  which broadcasts God’s Word to the unreached

Monroe County, Illinois: Built Upon a Sure Foundation

By Angela Wittman For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3.11 KJV Previously in An Explicitly Christian "Old Path" in Monroe County, Illinois  we looked at the Christian history of New Design which is located approximately 4 miles south of Waterloo.  Today I want to share with you a story about Elder Peter Rogers, one of the founders of Waterloo, Illinois. In Chapter 58 of The History of Southern Illinois by George Washington Smith published in 1912, we read that Elder Peter Rogers was the descendant of Protestant Martyr John Rogers who was burned at the stake in Smithfield, England in February of 1555. Fox's Book of Martyrs tells us this about the life and martyrdom John Rogers: John Rogers was educated at Cambridge, and was afterward many years chaplain to the merchant adventurers at Antwerp in Brabant. Here he met with the celebrated martyr William Tyndale, and Miles Coverdale, both voluntary exiles from their co

Are Christians Disposable People?

By Angela Wittman And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. - Rev. 19:16 I recently listened to a report on the persecution of Christians in Afghanistan . And while America supports the present government with money and troops, I believe we are complicit in this destruction of human life. Which leaves me to wonder if the world (America included) sees Christians as disposable people? The lack of media attention for Christian persecution really speaks volumes as to the apathetic condition in our so called "Christian" nation. But of course, we are quite adept at turning a blind eye to the slaughter of people. After all, we take pride in our freedom to kill preborn babies while spending billions of tax dollars annually to support unconscionable government grants and programs Planned Parenthood profits from . Which leaves me to wonder just how long before the American government begins to openly persecute its Christians? After al

Are You Hidden in Christ?

“Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.” – Psalm 83:1-3 “The saints of God are called His hidden ones - Psalm 83:3. Why so? Not only because they are hid in God's decree, and hid in Christ's wounds, but oftentimes God hides them in a time of danger and calamity. He reserved to Himself seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal. The prophet knew not where there was one, but God knew there were seven thousand.” – Thomas Watson, Puritan Theologian A friend who recently returned from a mission trip has shared the story of how he and several others smuggled Bibles into China. He reports that the people in China are so hungry for the Word of God that they are willing to risk their very lives. While persecution grows hot in China, so does their faith and the Gospel is

Are You A Fearless Believer?

By Angela Wittman James Renwick - Martyr I can think of nothing more stirring than hearing accounts of those martyred for their faith. While there are those who scoff at the zeal of Christians willing to lay down their lives for Jesus Christ, history proves that those who have done so were full of the grace and joy of the Holy Spirit even until the very end. These men and women who counted their lives not as dear as the Gospel impacted the world for Christ in a way that will never be forgotten. J. C. McFeeters, author of “ Sketches of the Covenanters ”  writes this about those who spill their blood for the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “God has His own way of calling out His witnesses, and assigning service to them. The Church, as a whole, has invalidated and incapacitated herself for this responsibility, by weakness, declension, and compromise. God does not commit His testimony to the Church, while in such condition; nor to the faithful in the Church, whose voice and actions are weakened or

A Sense of Urgency

By Angela Wittman "Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775. Dear Friends, As I reflect upon the words of Founding Father Patrick Henry, I cannot help but be compelled with a sense of urgency to lay all aside to warn the citizens of this nation that time is short and we must take action to save our Republic. The recent following example of free speech being denied will alert you that our First Amendment Right is under at

'Letter to the Editor' on behalf of Michael Marcavage (2004)

Dear Editor, A young man in Pennsylvania is boldly preaching the Gospel in his community. His name is Michael Marcavage and he is experiencing persecution for reading the Word of God at a borough council meeting in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. The city "fathers" tried to prohibit Michael from reading the Bible at their July 21, 2004, meeting during the public comment period in which he was disrespectfully and roughly removed from the meeting because they do not want to hear what God has to say about homosexuality. ( I have to wonder if stoning Christians will be next on their agenda.) They not only think they can thumb their noses at God, but they also believe they are above the law and can violate one's God given and Constitutionally secured right to free speech. Here are some excerpts from an article that was published in the Philadelphia Gay News on July 29, 2004: "Marcavage says he attended the July 21 borough-council meeting to speak during the public-comment perio

'Let your light shine before men'

By Angela Wittman "But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him..." (Acts 7:55-58, KJV) Dear Friends, Do you long to be a Christian like the early disciples? Is it in your heart to give your all for God and you don't know quite where to start? Perhaps you have a desire to serve and you need a little direction? Then let me point you to the One who has created good works for you to walk into. The One I am referring to is despised by the world and He was crucified. He has warned us that we will be hated as He is hated. So, dear friends, let us soberly and prayerfully count the cost to follow Jesus Christ. A young man in Pennsylvania

'Rejoice in the LORD always'

By Angela Wittman "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"  - Philippians 3:4 "When witnessing on public sidewalks and singing is "criminal" and "disorderly;" when ripping the arms and legs off of children is protected by law as "orderly;" then crushing judgment from Lord Jesus will soon destroy our once free nation. When churches get too busy to lift a finger to try to get rid of their local abortuaries, then the lack of fire in our hearts will be repayed with fire from the sky like was hurled down upon Sodom. And Sodom had no Bibles." (Cal Zastrow -- June 28, 2004) Dear Friends, We are commanded by God to rejoice in the Lord always and what better way is there to express our joy than by singing Psalms and hymns of praise to our mighty and glorious God? In fact, Scripture tells us in the book of Ephesians (chapter 5: verse 19) to speak "to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melo

Islam: A Religion of Peace or Persecution?

By Angela Wittman A friend recently sent me a Whitehouse press release from last November of Pres. Bush hosting the Iftaar Dinner in the State Dining Room. Here are some of the comments President Bush made two months after the 9-11 terrorist attacks: "Good evening, and welcome to the White House. I'm so honored to welcome such distinguished guests and ambassadors during the holy month of Ramadan. "America is made better by millions of Muslim citizens. America has close and important relations with many Islamic nations. So it is fitting for America to honor your friendship and the traditions of a great faith by hosting this Iftaar at the White House.... "Ramadan is a time of fasting and prayer for the Muslim faithful. So tonight we are reminded of God's greatness and His commandments to live in peace and to help neighbors in need. According to Muslim teachings, God first revealed His word in the holy Qur'an to the prophet, Muhammad, during the month of Ramadan

Let's Not Forget the Persecuted

By Angela Wittman As we wage the war on terrorism and hear the reports of bombings, anthrax scares and the latest terrorist threats, let's not forget those who are being persecuted for their faith and personal beliefs. I have heard reports of Christians who are being martyred and arrested for their faith in other countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Viet Nam, Tibet, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. There are reports of followers of Christ being imprisoned, ostracized by family and friends, tortured, beaten, murdered and their homes and churches burned by their governments. As a Christian I am saddened and outraged. As a nation founded upon Christian principles, I pray we will petition our government to take action against these crimes and not support the nations committing them. My next point is going to hit close to home, please think about this and search your hearts to see if you have been a party to this more subtle form of religious persecution