Though God said He would bless the people of Ishmael, God made the nation of the Israel His chosen. And there is also the following scripture. Amo 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: Amo 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all ...more

Though God said He would bless the people of Ishmael, God made the nation of the Israel His chosen.
And there is also the following scripture.

Amo 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
Amo 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
Amo 9:13 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
Amo 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Amo 9:15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.less

Act 26:14 And all of us falling to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. At least we know that Saul understood the Hebrew language, and perhaps many more. And if this same voice only spoke to us in Hebrew, then we would all need Hebrew to English translation books to co...more

Act 26:14 And all of us falling to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.

At least we know that Saul understood the Hebrew language, and perhaps many more.

And if this same voice only spoke to us in Hebrew, then we would all need Hebrew to English translation books to complement our Bibles.

But we know that the Holy Spirit knows many languages. This was demonstrated on the Day of Pentecost.less

andyyax, I would like to offer a slight change to your comment. The first and greatest commandment was not mentioned. The law and the prophets are summarized under the first and second commandments. And the first is greater than the second. Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and ...more

andyyax, I would like to offer a slight change to your comment.
The first and greatest commandment was not mentioned.

The law and the prophets are summarized under the first and second commandments. And the first is greater than the second.

Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.less

“Often what I found is the break from their faith came in the context of relationships, something went wrong with either a youth pastor, a parent, or some other spiritual authority. If they are going to be reconciled, come back to the church, it is going to have to happen in the context of relationships.” This may be more true when we are younger. But as adults we are responsible for our ow...more

“Often what I found is the break from their faith came in the context of relationships, something went wrong with either a youth pastor, a parent, or some other spiritual authority. If they are going to be reconciled, come back to the church, it is going to have to happen in the context of relationships.”

This may be more true when we are younger. But as adults we are responsible for our own decisions.
We are always to be very careful of any man who could mislead us away from Christ.

And we need to remember that Christ taught us to look upon God as a Father, and no longer an unreachable Spiritual entity.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Joh 10:28 And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father who gave them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and the Father are one!less

paul760, when actions are taken against our fellow Christians, we are not compromising those actions by placing them under the heading of persecution. Just as with our earthy family members, when one goes through difficult times we all hurt. And when ones goes through good times, we all rejoice. And sometimes we are in a position to offer more than just our prayers. Either way we know tha...more

paul760, when actions are taken against our fellow Christians, we are not compromising those actions by placing them under the heading of persecution.

Just as with our earthy family members, when one goes through difficult times we all hurt. And when ones goes through good times, we all rejoice.

And sometimes we are in a position to offer more than just our prayers.

Either way we know that Feast and Famine come in seasons and according to God's will.less

andorli, we may need to review the following scripture.... Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes out as brightness, and her salvation as a burning lamp. Isa 62:2 And the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name. Is...more

andorli, we may need to review the following scripture....

Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes out as brightness, and her salvation as a burning lamp.
Isa 62:2 And the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah will name.
Isa 62:3 You also will be a crown of glory in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Isa 62:4 You will no more be called Forsaken; nor will your land any more be called Desolate; but you will be called My Delight is in her, and your land, Married; for Jehovah delights in you, and your land is married.

Though true peace is in the hearts of all who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the eyes of the world will see the peace of Jerusalem. This is not a peace that comes from the hand of man, but from the hand of God.less

“I implore all men and women of good will to renew their commitment to building a world where all are free to profess their religion or faith, and to express their love of God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their mind,” the pope urged." Jesus said something very similiar..... Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Mat 22:37 Jesus said to hi...more

“I implore all men and women of good will to renew their commitment to building a world where all are free to profess their religion or faith, and to express their love of God with all their heart, with all their soul and with all their mind,” the pope urged."

Jesus said something very similiar.....
Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?
Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Very good intentions. But it's not clear what urgency there is by waiting until the more symbolic anniversary date to have a high level meeting. The ongoing persecution is not going to wait for these results.less

salimakhoury, Christians are to be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. The truth would then be that the prophecies regarding this region continue to be fulfilled. True peace will come when Christ returns to gather His people. In the meantime, the nations which gather against Israel shall be cursed. And those nations which support Israel shall be blessed.

paul760, may I submit that Christians should not identify themselves with Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party, or Independants. The deception is across all lines. And the church also follows along with the deceptions of the secular local and national media just as much as the unbelievers do. And, it is very unfortunate that the church has become split within itself between conservative and libera...more

paul760, may I submit that Christians should not identify themselves with Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party, or Independants. The deception is across all lines.

And the church also follows along with the deceptions of the secular local and national media just as much as the unbelievers do. And, it is very unfortunate that the church has become split within itself between conservative and liberal thinking.

But given the type of Government and Constitution we have agreed to live under, Christians must align with the Party that is best aligned with Christian thinking.

And while I continue to hear that Ron Paul is the best choice for truth, I do not see the influence of the church making itself heard.

We may indeed live under the separation of Church and State, but Christians have a vote.less

paul760, your tone is "interesting" for that of a conservative minister. But please consider the following...... It pleased God to bring a flood and cleanse the earth. It pleased God to have mercy and raise His Son onto a cross. It pleases God to have trials and tribulations come into our lives for a season so that we may be tested and proven before Him. And it pleases God to give us time...more

paul760, your tone is "interesting" for that of a conservative minister.

But please consider the following......
It pleased God to bring a flood and cleanse the earth.
It pleased God to have mercy and raise His Son onto a cross.
It pleases God to have trials and tribulations come into our lives for a season so that we may be tested and proven before Him.

And it pleases God to give us times of rest in Him.

We must always be ready in season and out, and be listening to the Holy Spirit for the times of feast and famine.

Does this mean that we shrug off our believing brothers and sisters when they go through times of suffering? No more than when they go through times of rejoicing.

My point in using the scripture in Jeremiah was to show that, as a nation, God had judged Judah. But God had reserved places for the righteous in the captivity. Jeremiah was not to be mournful for those who were unbelievers and had mislead Judah into sin. Judgement was made for them.

So then the same could be applied to us as a country in respect to the example you gave of China.less

believer, agreed.

alafoli, a little confused with your comment. According to Chuck Colson, his initial purpose for being in prison was to serve time, not to participate in a volunteer prison ministry. But God had other plans and sent Mr. Colson to where he was going to serve for God. Mr. Colson has been awarded for making a difference in the lives of prisoners. Some lives that were lost have been found. And t...more

alafoli, a little confused with your comment.

According to Chuck Colson, his initial purpose for being in prison was to serve time, not to participate in a volunteer prison ministry. But God had other plans and sent Mr. Colson to where he was going to serve for God.

Mr. Colson has been awarded for making a difference in the lives of prisoners. Some lives that were lost have been found. And there will be many more. This article seems to be a testimonial, and it seems that Chuck Colson will continue serving in the prison for ministry and not for time.

But he always has to be careful not to fall back on the old life that sent him to prison in the first place. And he has to be carfeful of those who would like to see him fall again.less

paul760, when God grants that the church should go through times of persecution, it is for the purpose of testing, growth, and to remove the sin that keeps us distant from God and from not being peculiar before the world. And we must continually ask ourselves if any of the freedoms granted in this world are greater than the Salvation Christ won at the cross. Concerning your example of China ...more

paul760, when God grants that the church should go through times of persecution, it is for the purpose of testing, growth, and to remove the sin that keeps us distant from God and from not being peculiar before the world.

And we must continually ask ourselves if any of the freedoms granted in this world are greater than the Salvation Christ won at the cross.

Concerning your example of China as a nation. If God were to choose to hand this country to another because of our sin, then the church did not remember the example of the nation of Judah.

Nonetheless, we also know that an Anti-Christ is coming. All nations of the world will be given to his authority.

And concerning your example of a Chinese Christian shrugging off the rape and murder of my family members. I am not sure what your purpose is for suggesting this, especially were it would concern another Christian.

But in light of this discussion, I am reminded of what God told the Prophet Jeremiah as he watched God pronouce judgement on the nation of Judah.

And we must remember that God always shows mercy and grace to the righteous.

Jer 16:5 For so says Jehovah, Do not enter into the house of mourning; do not go to weep nor moan over them. For I have taken away My peace from this people, says Jehovah, even loving-kindness and mercies.
Jer 16:6 Both the great and the small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried, nor shall men mourn for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them.
Jer 16:7 Nor shall anyone tear themselves for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead. Nor shall anyone give them the cup of comfort to drink for their father or for their mother.less

believer, thank you for your explanation of the Southern Baptist process. Please clearify some confusion. You have mentioned an Ordination Council. Please explain where this Council gets its authority, and how its members are chosen.

"Muslim extremists have tried to thwart such actions by offering a money for Bibi's death and threatening attacks. A cleric has already offered 500,000 rupees – roughly $5,800 – to anyone who kills the Pakistani Christian mother and step-mother of five. The Taliban also has threatened retribution should she be spared." It would seem that the growing international attention is worth more tha...more

"Muslim extremists have tried to thwart such actions by offering a money for Bibi's death and threatening attacks. A cleric has already offered 500,000 rupees – roughly $5,800 – to anyone who kills the Pakistani Christian mother and step-mother of five. The Taliban also has threatened retribution should she be spared."

It would seem that the growing international attention is worth more than the roughly $5800.00 being offered. The reality is that if the release is granted, this family faces the decision of leaving Pakistan just the same way as hundreds of Jews had to decide whether to keep residence in Germany when Hitler took power.

May God's right hand be seen by all.
Psa 20:4 May He grant you according to your own heart, and fulfill all your plans.
Psa 20:5 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up banners; may Jehovah fulfill all your prayers.
Psa 20:6 Now I know that Jehovah saves His anointed; He will hear him from His holy Heaven with the saving strengths of His right hand.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of Jehovah our God.less

believer, your opening sentence in your last comment emphasizes the point. And with no recognized heirarchy above Protestant ministers, there is no other accountability/authority for these ministers except for those who serve under a minister. A minister is to be recognized and ordained from above, not beneath.

paul760, please explain further what other evangelical Christian spokespeople you are referring to aside of Mr. Colson. And would this be Protestant ministers, Catholic ministers, or both. Also, if this is truly a time in the history of the Christian church for persecution, we should not be ashamed of the Gospel. We should not be ashamed regardless.

Rhi Bran, it is interesting that the current violence against Christians in Iraq only started after U.S. combat troops were removed. It is also interesting that there is no overwhelming public outcry from peace seeking Muslims to end the religious violence in Iraq or anywhere else in the world. This almost leaves no choice but for intervention from a national military. The perfect formula f...more

Rhi Bran, it is interesting that the current violence against Christians in Iraq only started after U.S. combat troops were removed.

It is also interesting that there is no overwhelming public outcry from peace seeking Muslims to end the religious violence in Iraq or anywhere else in the world.

This almost leaves no choice but for intervention from a national military.
The perfect formula for Islam to become more than just a faith.less

believer, the direction and writings of the Apostle Paul have always been considered as authoritative in the church because of his direct appointment by God to serve the Body, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He is called an Apostle because his leadership and guidance was over the entire mission of all of the churches. And it is in Paul's writings that we see the beginnings of a heirarchy ...more

believer, the direction and writings of the Apostle Paul have always been considered as authoritative in the church because of his direct appointment by God to serve the Body, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

He is called an Apostle because his leadership and guidance was over the entire mission of all of the churches. And it is in Paul's writings that we see the beginnings of a heirarchy being established for regional and local church leadership.

It seems to me that while the Catholic (Universal) church substituted this Apostleship with a Papalship, the Protestants have not established a similiar leadership and guidance.

And this is part of the comment from Cheisa.less

"But by doing nothing as our so-called allies in the Iraqi government ignore the deadly persecution of Christians, the U.S. not only betrays its principles, but it has blood on its hands." We should also consider that there is no civilian outcry by the more peaceful Muslims who would supposedly be more strongly opposed this violence in Iraq. If a further U.S. military response is needed to s...more

"But by doing nothing as our so-called allies in the Iraqi government ignore the deadly persecution of Christians, the U.S. not only betrays its principles, but it has blood on its hands."

We should also consider that there is no civilian outcry by the more peaceful Muslims who would supposedly be more strongly opposed this violence in Iraq.

If a further U.S. military response is needed to stop this violence, perhaps the peaceful Muslims would also turn to the United States to uphold the same principles.

Exo 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exo 15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.less