Two Bible college students have been lauded for their Christ-like response to the savage beatings they endured from a mob of anti-Christian extremists in India’s Haryana state earlier in the month.
On Nov. 4, students Vijay and Soman were ministering in Haryana during a school break when they went into a shop to witness to the owner.
According to mission agency Gospel for Asia, the man acted as though he was interested in what they had to say and told them to wait while he found some friends who would also be interested in their literature. Some time later, a crowd of extremists gathered outside of the shop. It later came to light that the shop owner was the leader of a local anti-Christian extremist group.
According to Gospel for Asia, the extremists questioned the two boys about their reasons for wanting to preach a "foreign religion," and accused them of being anti-nationalistic and of forcing people to convert.
Although the students responded by explaining that they were only distributing literature on how to be freed from sin, the extremists began to beat them and dragged them into the street.
The group accused them of trying to convert people by offering large sums of money and had their literature burned. According to Gospel for Asia, they were also threatened with death by burning.
The mob reportedly grew to 600 people as Vijay and Soman were dragged around the town and beaten for four hours. Eventually the police broke the crowd and took Vijay and Soman into protective custody.
The mob also went to the home of the two students, beating the owner for letting the students stay there. They also burned $600 worth of the student’s belongings.
One other student living with the two victims was ministering elsewhere on the day of the incident and was also taken into custody.
All three were released the following day but will be required to return for a trial on the charges brought against them by the mob of performing forced conversions. The two students have received treatment in hospital for their wounds.
A Gospel for Asia correspondent praised the students. "They are amazed that they are alive after having been beaten for four hours,” the correspondent said. “They consider it joy to have the privilege to suffer for Christ."
Gospel for Asia leaders have requested prayer for the ministry in Haryana, the state where persecutions occur most regularly.
Comments
As Christians, today we need Christ's Nature. This is what all about the gifts of Holy Spirit. I'm proud of being Christian while reading the incident.
Let all Christians get to gether and make a worlwide day to pray for the Christians who are being persecuted throughout the world and ask God to open ways for free Christianity.
One of my favorite sites which offers a bi-monthly prayer list for countries where Christians are persecuted is www.opendoors.org -- the website of Brother Andrew's ministry, who began back in the '50s smuggling Bibles into the countries of the Soviet Union, those which were behind the "Iron Curtain". His first book, which tells of the early days of that ministry, is called _Brother Andrew: God's Smuggler_.
Today he continues that ministry in countries around the world. China, North Korea, and all Muslim-controlled countries, among others, are experiencing this kind of persecution on a daily basis. Our brothers and sisters in those lands need our prayers. If we were in their shoes, we would definitely be hoping someone was praying for us!
Yeh,...but the interum are sure gonna have some gory details in accompanyment I `m sure no different from any other time in History,...
A.S.Matthew:
Amen, Amen and Amen!
I truly envy these two kids for their courage and for the suffering and persecution they have endured and are likely to continue to endure. God is truly raising up a new generation of gospel heroes in every land who will take the gospel to the ends of the earth! His pocket armies are on the move in every continent; two here, three there and fifty around the corner. My God, what awesome and exciting times are ahead for Christians. And the good news is that we can take anything and everything the devil throws at us through Christ who strengthens us! Amen?
Pburwell,...I also checked out that website,......I think between that and Chuck Colson`s 2008 Centurion Program on Breakpoint.com website this will end up being a pretty deep experience,...
pburwell,....Like I told Prophet before ,....GOTCHA,.....THANKS for the constructive critique ,...I appreciate it.........
Ouch!! Good one, wilderness.I just hope this type of persecution doesn't make it to the U.S., but if it does, I pray that I will have enough courage to stand up for what I believe.
Meanwhile, back in America, many Christians think they are being severely persecuted because some retail store won't say, "Merrry Christmas."
My dear "da6383ma", these men were not doing anything "special" or "unusually good" they were merely preaching the truth. Did you notice the correlation between what they did and what happened to Paul in Acts? And they will get to testify before the authorities as well!
da6383ma, go to http://livingwaters.com/wdjd.shtml and learn how to share your faith the way these men are. And then go and do likewise... daily,,, everywhere you go. They aren't "good" for doing what Jesus commands, but disobedience ot Christ's command to preach the gospel certainly could be considered "bad." To obey is better than sacrificing.
Well, yah I'm trying to stoke your flame! Sounds to me like I really don't need to, though. haha. Some great reading there! It's enough to ignite the flame of passion for Him in anyone! I've heard a lot of good things about Lee Strobels book. I've never heard ot "The Year of Living Biblically", but just the name piques my curiosity. Im reading "Your God Is Too Safe" by Mark Buchannan. Phenomenal! I will probably check out that AJ Jacobs book when I'm done.
Between those books you're reading and studying the Bible, you will find youself living a life you never thought possible! I'm putting you on my prayer list, that God will continue to prove Himself strong and faithful in your life!
Since thousands of people are coming to Christian faith in India from Hinduism and other religions, Christians are being persecuted before the eyes of the law enforcement officers.
But through persecution, the gospel is spreading like an inferno and nobody can stop it. God is
raising up thousands of champions for His Kingdom business. Praise God for brother Vijay and
Soman, one day they will win thousands of people for Jesus in Haryana itself.
Also, Prophet,.....I`m half way through that book that just came out by A.J Jacobs , "The Year of living Biblically".....And If you wanna make one of the best 25$ investments of your readiing career, this is a way, way, way great book,...Once you start it,..its hard to put it down,...Very entertaining and informative.....I`m glad I made the investment......
Hey Prophet,....to put a million sentences and words nouns and vowels and all in between into one GOTCHA,........All I gotta say is I saw the movie "Passion for Christ (2wiss) and read the book of Lee Strobels " A Case for Christ" also and I`d be ashamed not to be able to withstand Half of what he went through,......And all for a good cause,......(Are you tryin` to stoke my flames, by the way?)....
da...
remain faithful to Him. Trust in His ways and His grace. The day may come when Christians are treated that way HERE in America. And don't worry...you will see them in heaven.