Religious Violence Part 4 - by Ps Michael Podhaczky

In the previous blogs, it was pointed out that due to sin anyone can be violent; the religious and the non-religious. Furthermore, it was stated that any person could suffer religious violence. 

A great example of this is found in Acts chapter 8:1-3; 9:1-2, where we find Paul committing acts of religious violence against the disciples of Jesus.

8:1 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria… 9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.” (Act 8:1; 9:1 NLT)

But, what is remarkable here in this story are Jesus’ words to Paul in 9:4, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” (NLT). Although he was persecuting the disciples of Jesus, the persecution was ultimately against Jesus. If one looks at what has happened to disciples of Jesus throughout history and what is happening today, in light of this passage, it gives it a whole new perspective on religious violence. Yes, disciples were suffering from acts of religious violence, but in the end it was against Jesus, Himself. This does not make it any less painful for those suffering, but it does put things into a Kingdom perspective.

The result for Paul was that he came to faith in Jesus, began preaching and then suffered from acts of religious violence himself (Acts 9:10-25). In fact, people were  even plotting together to kill him (Act 9:23 NLT). The rest is history, recorded in Acts and Paul’s letters.

Q. What do you intend to do regarding those who are committing acts of religious violence against the disciples of Jesus today?

Well, we can pray that Jesus will reveal Himself to the persecutors, maybe even through a vision or dream. Can’t happen, you might be thinking? Let me encourage you to read any or all of the books listed below and then re-answer this question.

Doyle, Tom. Breakthrough: The Return of Hope to the Middle East. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012).Doyle, Tom. DREAMS AND VISIONS: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2012).Doyle, Tom. Killing Christians: Living the Faith Where It's Not Safe to Believe. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2015).

Pause for a moment and think this over. To be continued in your life today, tomorrow and…