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Historical Accounts of Martyrdom Compared to the Passion of Jesus Christ

5/6/2023

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Clearly, Jesus Christ wasn’t feeling what everyone else was feeling in any given circumstance. Readers of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John should be wondering what, if anything, could ever make Jesus Christ experience sorrow and fear while suffering. This question is absolutely vital to a personal discovery of the Passion of Jesus Christ. 

The Sore Amazement of the Man of Sorrows

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Sorrow, travail, trouble, grief, agony, crying, tears, fear, amazement, and heaviness! All such feelings are something we might expect from your average sinner. Yet, this is talking about the sinless Son of God! How can it be? This is an invaluable question. After just a brief survey of the ministry of Jesus Christ, do not the words of the apostles resonate within us when they said, “What manner of Man is this…?” (Matt. 8:27). Even so, this begs the question: What manner of suffering could make this Man feel this way? 
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In respect to the Passion of Jesus Christ, we can be sure that none of these feelings of sorrow and fear were coming from a foresight of physical pain and fleshly suffering, or even death, combined with the emotional trauma of being forsaken by all men at the Cross. Why? The KING of Kings wasn’t cowardly! Nor were the Christians of the Early Church. 
“It is dishonoring to our Lord to imagine Him less brave than His own disciples, yet we have seen some of the most feeble of His saints triumphant in the prospect of departing. Read the stories of the martyrs and you will frequently find them exultant in the near approach of the most cruel sufferings. The joy of the Lord has given such strength to them that no cowardly thought has alarmed them for a single moment–they have gone to the stake, or to the block with songs of victory upon their lips! Our Master must not be thought of as inferior to His boldest servants! It cannot be that He should tremble where they were brave. Oh, no! The noblest spirit among yon band of martyrs is the Leader, Himself, who in suffering and heroism surpassed them all!” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane
Innumerable martyrs suffered and died gruesome deaths with joy and peace, and even celebration, singing and worshipping the Lord before all as they were being publicly tortured and killed. This had no small effect upon the audience and executioners standing by. Such events would have had a felt impact upon society. The unforgettable details were then written down in history. Therefore, even though martyrs like Laurentius of Rome are dead, they are still speaking today. 
“…the governor ordered him to be immediately scourged. He was then beaten with iron rods, set upon a wooden horse, and had his limbs dislocated. These tortures he endured with fortitude and perseverance; when he was ordered to be fastened to a large gridiron, with a slow fire under it, that his death might be the more lingering. His astonishing constancy during these trials, and serenity of countenance while under such excruciating torments, gave the spectators so exalted an idea of the dignity and truth of the Christian religion, that many became converts upon the occasion, of whom was Romanus, a soldier.” (Laurentius; in the eight persecution, under Valerian in A.D. 257; Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 
When untrained and weak men, women, and children brave the torments of execution, it captivates the attention of hardened soldiers as something obviously supernatural (Heb. 11:35-38). In seeing the invisible, unbelievers like Romanus the soldier then became believers (Heb. 11:1). They were compelled to look beyond the physical elements of the execution in wonder at the spiritual. Even so, in every period of persecution since the 1st Century, the bravery and excitement of the martyrs became the real spectacle of public executions. Lo and behold, the cruelty of tyranny was eclipsed by the character of Christianity! “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” (Ex. 1:12). Much to the dismay of persecutors, instead of hurting Christianity, the execution platform promoted its witness.

The same testimonies of history appear everywhere, under the tyranny of anyone, regardless of the race or culture of the people. On the cross or at the stake, on the rack or at the block, in Jerusalem, Rome, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bohemia, Scotland, and beyond – this one thing remained constant: 

“…the patience with which they met death: they seemed all resignation and piety, fervently praying to God, and cheerfully encountering their fate." (Persecution in Italy under Pope Pius the Fourth; Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 
Normally, when various people groups of history were faced with genocide, the victims didn’t encounter their fate with joy. Understandably, these were times of misery and sadness! Maybe you’ve seen some photographs of slaves or prisoners in the labor camps of history. It’s an unforgettable sight! Why? Sorrow is visibly stricken across the faces of the people. However, apparently, things were different for Christians, starting with the Apostles. 
“…and when they had called the Apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” - Acts 5:40-41
The governmental decrees of persecution and annihilation were a cause of “rejoicing” among the Apostles (Acts 5:40-41). Some of them could even be seen leaping for joy amidst the punishment (Lk. 6:22-23)! The excitement was palpable. These weren’t days of doom and gloom as the Church was defeated under the lash of persecution and death. Rather, just the opposite happened! Believers even coveted after the martyr’s crown. Speaking of this, Sir Gaspar Kaplitz of Bohemia said: 
“‘…I would not be separated from this noble company of martyrs:’ so saying, he cheerfully resigned his neck to the block.” (Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy)
Such cheerful resignation is abnormal and unusual for the average victim of some tragic form of death in the pages of history. Nevertheless, for true Christians this was normal. When the hour of death finally arrived, a noble company of Christian martyrs could be seen leaving the prison with gladness. 
“On the morning of the day appointed for the execution, a cannon was fired as a signal to bring the prisoners from the castle to the principal market-place, in which scaffolds were erected, and a body of troops were drawn up to attend the tragic scene. The prisoners left the castle with as much cheerfulness as if they had been going to an agreeable entertainment, instead of a violent death.” (Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) 
Happy thoughts were ringing in the breasts of these martyrs, and thus were their countenances markedly cheerful. The uncontainable joy could not be quenched by horror. Nor could the pain of martyrdom silence the praise. Even while burning alive at the stake, songs of gladness could be heard ringing out amidst the flames!
“He embraced the stake with great cheerfulness, and when they went behind him to set fire to the fagots, he said, "Come here, and kindle it before my eyes; for if I had been afraid of it, I had not come to this place." The fire being kindled, he sung a hymn, but was soon interrupted by the flames; and the last words he was heard to say these:—'This soul in flames I offer.’” (Jerome of Prague; Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) 
The searing sting of fire could not solicit uninterrupted cries from its subjects of torment. Nor could it overpower the outbursts of worship. The feeling of pain could not overrule the feeling of praise! The terribleness of the flame could not take over the tongue: literally, Jesus Christ is the sung hero of the amazing spectacle of martyrdom all throughout history. 
“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.” - John 12:23-26
The martyrs could do nothing without the Master. Jesus Christ was the trailblazer! Without Him there would be no path to martyrdom nor purpose in it. Doing the work of an Evangelist, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John produced a detailed account of everything that happened to the crucified One. For the Messiah was the first one to “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51); and everyone else who died a martyr’s death simply answered the call of Christ, when He said, “If any man serve Me, let him follow Me…” (John 12:26). Even so, the martyrs of history bore witness that their strength in dying came from the death of Christ. 
“The next day they were led to the place appointed for them to suffer; in their way to which, Russel, seeing his fellow-sufferer have the appearance of timidity in his countenance, thus addressed him: "Brother, fear not; greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world. The pain that we are to suffer is short, and shall be light; but our joy and consolation shall never have an end. Let us, therefore, strive to enter into our Master and Saviour's joy, by the same straight way which he hath taken before us. Death cannot hurt us, for it is already destroyed by Him, for whose sake we are now going to suffer."
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When they arrived at the fatal spot, they both kneeled down and prayed for some time; after which being fastened to the stake, and the fagots lighted, they cheerfully resigned their souls into the hands of Him who gave them, in full hopes of an everlasting reward in the heavenly mansions.” (Jerom Russel & Alexander Kennedy; an account of the persecution in Scotland during the reign of King Henry VIII) 
Confessedly, the mysterious strength of these martyrs came from Christ; not that their martyrdom was impressive, for it was lackluster in comparison to the impression made by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The martyrs are telling us that there is something more to be seen about the Passion of Jesus Christ – something more than what the Modern Church is telling everyone; otherwise, Modern Christianity wouldn’t be so weak in comparison to the Early Church.

As Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are pointing out the way for us, this is why they focused upon where Jesus Christ was, and what He was doing, and what was being done to the Man, in the days and hours leading up to the Cross: 6 days, 2 days, and 1 day beforehand, and then hour by hour from Gethsemane to Calvary (John 12:1, 12, 13:1; Matt. 26:1-5, Mk. 14:1-2). The secrets of the Passion are unveiled in the fine details.

There should be no controversy about the Passion. The eyewitnesses bear record that Jesus Christ spoke for Himself on this matter. Who else could better explain how He felt at the time? Two days before the Cross, on the 13th of Abib, the Son of God publicly testified of His undaunted resolve to die in the manner foretold in Scripture (Ps. 22:12-18); however, simultaneously, He took the occasion to emphasize that an unusual feeling was coming upon Him. 
“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” – John 12:23-33
The Son of God said, “Now is My soul troubled…” (John 12:27). Nevertheless, Jesus of Nazareth was courageously prepared to die! Affectionately, He called it a glorification (Jn. 12:23, 28, 33). So far from being afraid of it, the Lord of Glory was publicly and unashamedly calling for all true disciples to follow Him to the death (John 12:25-26). Embracing the Cross with unflinching determination and deep personal satisfaction enabled the Lord to make this public invitation without pretense.

The call was often heralded in the Cities of Israel in the following words: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24, Mk. 8:34, 10:21, Lk. 9:23). Among other things, this was a genuine call to martyrdom (Heb. 13:11-14). To be a “witness” for Christ literally meant martyrdom in the Greek (μάρτυς, martus; Acts 1:8). Even so, every true Christian knows that the Cross is an indispensable part of following Christ. 
“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Heb. 12:2 
While being courageously prepared, unafraid, affectionately committed, and sincerely joyful, with the Cross directly in view (according to John 12:23-33), Jesus Christ was troubled at the same time. Why? Once again, this otherworldly Man would not have been troubled about the earthly and horizontal aspects of the Cross. This is the whole point of the personal declaration made in John 12:27. This trouble of soul only increased as time went on. Then on the evening of the next day, the 14th of Abib, the feeling was overwhelming. The affliction became so great that Jesus Christ resorted to prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (James 5:13). 
“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” – Mark 14:32-34​
Lo! at midnight, who is He,
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder Tree,
Dies in grief and agony?
 
’Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!
The disciples had no idea what was happening to the Messiah! Do you? Preachers nowadays just blame it on the humanity of Jesus. They say it was the one and only human moment of God incarnate as far as they can tell. People like to believe that Jesus, as a mere Man, was afraid and sorrowful at the thought of betrayal, torture, and death, as any other man would feel, and this is why such prayers were offered in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, this interpretation isn’t biblical or historical. Not even the martyrs of history were made to feel thus when faced with similar circumstances.

One thing is for sure! Redeemed sinners cannot outshine the Redeemer in a public execution. Nor could saved sinners appear saintlier than the Savior! So why was Stephen’s countenance so marvelously peaceful in the throes of martyrdom, when that of our Lord was stricken with grief and trouble? 
“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” - Acts 6:15
Both the martyrs and the Messiah were baptized with a baptism of suffering and death; nevertheless, they exhibited radically different behaviors in the experience. Undoubtedly, they both drank of a bitter cup, but that of the martyrs seemed mild in comparison. 
“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” – Matt. 20:20-23
Modern Theologians need to rethink their interpretations of the humanity of Jesus Christ. A simple comparison of the humanity of the martyrs and that of Christ proves to be problematic. The difference between the two baptisms is purposefully provocative! Credit should be given to divine genius.

Providentially, when the LORD arranges the preservation of certain portions of history, it is because this record of history will contribute to His-Story. This proves true with the painstaking records of martyrdom in the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, written in 1563 by the English historian John Foxe. Perhaps this is the only reason that these testimonies of martyrdom were preserved in the first place: so that the following generations can look back and behold the spectacle – something that would be otherwise incomprehensible – how nominal believers of history triumphed gloriously while enduring the most barbaric forms of torture and death. Let the testimony of Faninus of Italy drive home the point. 
“Being asked why he would obstinately persist in his opinions and leave his wife and children in distress, he replied, I shall not leave them in distress; I have recommended them to the care of an excellent trustee. What trustee? said the person who had asked the question, with some surprise: to which Faninus answered, Jesus Christ is the trustee I mean, and I think I could not commit them to the care of a better. On the day of execution he appeared remarkably cheerful, which one observing, said, it is strange you should appear so merry upon such an occasion, when Jesus Christ himself, just before his death, was in such agonies, that he sweated blood and water. To which Faninus replied; Christ sustained all manner of pangs and conflicts, with hell and death, on our accounts; and thus, by his sufferings, freed those who really believe in him from the fear of them. He was then strangled, and his body being burnt to ashes, they were scattered about by the wind.” (Faninus; an account of the persecution in Italy under the papacy) 
These words were prophetic. The situation was choregraphed by sovereignty. The plot is a testimony to the Passion. Amazingly, Faninus was merry while the Messiah mourned (Mk. 14:32-34)! A baser kind of human was cheerful when faced with execution when a far nobler One was crying in Gethsemane in the 1st Century (Heb. 5:7). Faninus was remarkably fearless only because the Second Adam was afraid (Heb. 5:7). Why? Spurgeon was also struck with amazement at this contrast in behavior. However, he was particularly interested in the doctrine of “the cup” that was being promoted from the lips of this triumphant martyr. Therefore, Spurgeon spoke directly about Faninus and commented on this doctrine in a sermon entitled, Christ in Gethsemane. 
“The bitterness of sin was there, but He has taken that away for all who believe in Him. His Father’s wrath was there, but He drank that all up and left not a single drop for any of His people. One of the martyrs, as he was on his way to the stake, was so supremely happy that a friend said to him, ‘Your Savior was full of sorrow when He agonized for you in Gethsemane.’ ‘Yes,’ replied the martyr, ‘and for that very reason I am so happy, for He bore all the sorrow for me.’ – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane
Clearly, Faninus was seeing something about the Passion of Christ that people today aren’t seeing, and so he described the unique and unparalleled suffering of the Messiah to be, “all manner of pangs and conflicts, with hell and death, on our accounts”, while declaring himself the glad recipient of freedom. These pangs began in Gethsemane and climaxed at the Cross! Do you remember the prayers of Christ in Gethsemane? 
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Modern Christians would be wise to take a closer look at this intimate moment of passion between Jesus and the Father. Those who wonder at the martyrs are blind to the secret of their composure. “Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember?” (Mark 8:18; Matt. 13:15). Theologians should compare their interpretation of Gethsemane to the vast record of prophetic utterances that came from the lips of martyrs throughout history. Why? Because the most famous Theologians of our time attribute the agony of Gethsemane to the humanity of God-incarnate, while marveling at the supernatural, inhuman, and otherworldly courage of the martyrs! They strain at a gnat and swallow a camel (Matt. 23:24). 
“Gardiner himself was then tormented in the most excruciating manner; but in the midst of all his torments he gloried in the deed. Being ordered for death, a large fire was kindled near a gibbet, Gardiner was drawn up to the gibbet by pulleys, and then let down near the fire, but not so close as to touch it; for they burnt or rather roasted him by slow degrees. Yet he bore his sufferings patiently and resigned his soul to the Lord cheerfully.” (William Gardiner who was martyred by the King of Portugal) 

“This Nicholas Burton by the way, and in the flames of fire, had so cheerful a countenance, embracing death with all patience and gladness…” (the martyrdom of an English Merchant in Spain)

“At Revel, Cateline Girard being at the stake… submitted cheerfully to the flames.” (Catelin Girard; an account of the persecutions the Waldenses in the Valleys of Piedmont) 
Could the resignation of William Gardiner to die at the hand of the King of Portugal exceed that of our Lord Jesus Christ before the Romans? If Nicholas Burton of Spain was able to embrace death with gladness, why didn’t the Son of God do the same in the Garden of Gethsemane? Or why didn’t the Lord appear cheerful at the scourging block in Jerusalem, or on the Cross of Calvary, like Catelin Girard cheerfully submitted to the flames in the Valleys of Piedmont? The uncircumcised ears of Modern Christians are deaf to the loud proclamations of history (Acts 7:51)! Namely, in that the Spirit of the Father has been speaking of these very things throughout history. 
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” – Matt. 10:16-20
The things spoken by triumphant martyrs should be taken seriously by the neo-Christians of today. God is glorified in the granting of divine utterance at such times. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15). If only men would take heed! Like when George Wishart of Scotland prophesied while burning at the stake. 
“The governor of the castle, who stood so near that he was singed with the flame, exhorted our martyr, in a few words, to be of good cheer, and to ask the pardon of God for his offences. To which he replied, "This flame occasions trouble to my body, indeed, but it hath in nowise broken my spirit. But he who now so proudly looks down upon me from yonder lofty place (pointing to the cardinal) shall, ere long, be as ignominiously thrown down, as now he proudly lolls at his ease." Which prediction was soon after fulfilled. The executioner then pulled the rope which was tied about his neck with great violence, so that he was soon strangled; and the fire getting strength, burnt with such rapidity that in less than an hour his body was totally consumed.” (George Wishart of Scotland, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs; an account of the persecution in Scotland during the reign of King Henry VIII) 
Prophetic utterances accompanied a personal revelation of the Passion. Though the martyrs of history endured great torment of body, that which burned, bruised, and broke their bodies could not do any harm to them spiritually. This is the bold profession of George Wishart, while burning alive, and in the next breath he prophesied concerning the death of the onlooking Cardinal who was directly involved in the persecution of true Christians; evidently, according to Matthew 10:16-20, the Spirit of the Father was speaking through the Wishart in this hour. The same could be said of John Huss, who glorified the Passion of Jesus Christ, while deglorifying himself. 
“After the ceremony of degradation was over, the bishops delivered Dr. Huss to the emperor, who put him into the hands of the duke of Bavaria. His books were burnt at the gates of the church; and on the 6th of July, he was led to the suburbs of Constance, to be burnt alive. On his arrival at the place of execution, he fell on his knees, sung several portions of the Psalms, looked steadfastly towards heaven, and repeated these words: "Into thy hands, O Lord! do I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O most good and merciful God!"

When the chain was put about him at the stake, he said, with a smiling countenance, "My Lord Jesus Christ was bound with a harder chain than this for my sake, and why then should I be ashamed of this rusty one?"

The flames were now applied to the fagots, when our martyr sung a hymn with so loud and cheerful a voice, that he was heard through all the cracklings of the combustibles, and the noise of the multitude. At length his voice was interrupted by the severity of the flames, which soon closed his existence.” (John Huss; Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) 
The Spirit of Christ in the martyrs was loudly proclaiming the secret of their heavenly composure. While being chained at the stake in preparation for burning, John Huss spoke of a much heavier and harder chain that bound the Son of God as he perceived in himself the enormity of what Christ suffered in comparison to the light affliction he was about to endure, and thus he exploded into a celebration of worship before everyone. This otherwise miserable moment became merry at the remembrance of the Passion! In sheer gratitude Huss loudly and cheerfully sang a hymn as he began to burn, and he continued until he expired in the flames. Such testimonies should give modern readers some pause. Why wasn’t the Garden of Gethsemane filled with songs and cheerful celebration rather than intense sorrow and agony?

Let every man settle it in their own heart: the Christ who was there all throughout history sustaining these martyrs (Php. 1:20) could not have been reduced to tears and unspeakable agony at the thought of being tortured and crucified by Rome. At last, let the reader understand! Mere physical things could not bring such sorrow, anguish, and trouble upon the Son of God. Something was different about the baptism of death that Jesus Christ endured. Something else was in the cup that the Son of God was given to drink! The taste of the drink was far worse (Heb. 2:9). Otherwise, Jesus Christ would have behaved courageously and undaunted in the Garden of Gethsemane when the hour came for Him to take the cup, rather than melting in sorrow for the dread of it (Ps. 22:14). The testimonies of the Apostle James and Tobias Steffick bear witness. 
“…as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Saviour he was ready to drink.” 

“Tobias Steffick was remarkable for his affability and serenity of temper. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and a few minutes before his death spoke in this singular manner, "I have received, during the whole course of my life, many favours from God; ought I not therefore cheerfully to take one bitter cup, when he thinks proper to present it? Or rather, ought I not to rejoice, that it is his will I should give up a corrupted life for that of immortality!" (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 
If James was ready & able to drink the cup, why was Christ hardly able to do it? If the Apostle James drank the cup with cheerfulness, what is the reason for such sadness in Gethsemane? Obviously, something different was in the two cups. Both were bitter as death but the latter ones were infinitely mild in comparison to what Christ took at the hand of the Father; even so, as you will soon see, the Son of God was fatally smitten to death by spiritual blows, while all other men throughout history died being smitten by mere physical blows. This is exactly why Steffick was compelled with joy to say, “ought I not therefore cheerfully to take one bitter cup”, and Christ was moved with sadness to ask the Father, “take away this cup from Me” (Matt. 14:36).

Remember, James said that he would take and drink of the cup in Matthew 20:20-23; and he did what he said he would do! The historian of The Foxe’s Book of Martyrs remembered this very thing, in the remark, “Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Saviour he was ready to drink.” Even so, if James did what he said he would do, should we expect anything less of Jesus Christ? 
“Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” – John 12:27

“And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” - Mar 14:35-36
Did Jesus Christ say and do the very thing that He said that He wouldn’t? This matter wouldn’t be so controversial if only readers would give reverence to the divine words of the Son of God, who alone had the ability to interpret the mysterious situation that was unfolding. Of course, Jesus Christ would not have said and done in Gethsemane the very things that He declared that He wouldn’t say or do! All true believers should agree on that. Otherwise, this would be lying or bearing false witness (Matt. 5:37, 2 Cor. 1:17-18, James 5:12; Prov. 14:5).

When the Son of God declared, “…what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour”, while verbally acknowledging that He was indeed “troubled”, the Messiah was hereby intentionally provoking the people to wonder exactly why the Man was troubled at this very moment (John 12:27); because apparently the Lord of Glory would never ask to be saved from earthly threat of the Cross from a human perspective. Actually, according to John 10:17-18, the Son of God had a constant sense of loving communion with the Father, explicitly because Jesus was fully ready at any moment to “lay down” His life on the Cross. 
“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” - John 10:17-18
Jesus had a choice to make of His own volition. This choice, on whether or not to lay down His life to meet with death at the Cross, had already been made long before the incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth, who alone came from the Bosom of the Father in Heaven before the incarnation (John 1:14-18, 3:13, 31-36, 16:27-28), and as a possessor of eternal glory since before the world began (John 17:5, 24), existed for an eternity before becoming a Man. Therefore, the Son of God was poised to meet with death at the Cross from eternity past as the uncreated 2nd Person of the Trinity. Meanwhile, apparently, this choice was an agreement between the Father and the Son; and herein the loving communion of the Godhead flourished all throughout time (John 10:17-18). 
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14
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“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” – Rom. 8:31-32
God the Father had a significant role in the agreement. The Son of God wasn’t the only One making the sacrifices. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Not only did Jesus of Nazareth give Himself, of His own volition as the Son of God, but God the Father was moved with love independently, and sacrificially, and gave His Only Begotten Son to the world. 
“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” – Gen. 22:6-10 [The Gospel = The Quintessential Expression of Sovereignty]
The divine title, the Only Begotten Son, has a very specific meaning that should not be diluted or confounded. From our vantage point, this is a title that declares to mortal men the majesty and divinity of Jesus Christ. However, from the Father’s vantage point, this is a title of personal endearment and paternal affection. The Son of God is precious to the Father! Similar to how Isaac was precious to Abraham, howbeit infinitely more treasured. Therefore, the giving of the Son came at great personal cost to the Father (Jn. 3:16, 10:29). 
“I want your imaginations for one minute to picture a scene of olden times. There is a bearded Patriarch who rises early in the morning and awakes his son, a young man full of strength, and bids him arise and follow him. They hurry from the house silently and noiselessly, before the mother is awake. They go three days' journey with their men until they come to the mountain, of which the Lord has spoken. You know the Patriarch. The name of Abraham is always fresh in our memories. On the way that Patriarch speaks not one solitary word to his son. His heart is too full for utterance. He is overwhelmed with grief. God has commanded him to take his son, his only son, and slay him upon the mountain as a sacrifice. They go together. And who shall paint the unutterable anguish of the father’s soul, while he walks side by side with that beloved son of whom he is to be the executioner?

The third day has arrived. The servants are bid to stay at the foot of the hill, while they go to worship God yonder. Now, can any mind imagine how the father’s grief must overflow all the banks of his soul, when, as he walked up that hillside his son said to him, “Father, behold the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?” Can you conceive how he stifled his emotions and, with sobs, exclaimed, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb”? Look! The father has communicated to his son the fact that God has demanded his life. Isaac, who might have struggled and escaped from his father declares that he is willing to die if God has decreed it. The father takes his son, binds his hands behind his back, piles up the stones, makes an altar, lays the wood and has his fire ready. And now where is the artist that can depict the anguish of the father’s countenance when the knife is unsheathed and he holds it up–ready to slay his son?

But here the curtain falls. Now the black scene vanishes at the sound of a Voice from Heaven. The ram caught in the thicket supplies the substitute and faith’s obedience needs go no further. Ah, my Brethren. I want to take you from this scene to a far greater one. What faith and obedience made man do, that love constrained God Himself to do. He had but one Son, that Son His own heart’s delight. He covenanted to yield Him up for our redemption, nor did He violate His promise. For, when the fullness of time was come, He sent His Son to be born of the Virgin Mary that He might suffer for the sins of man.
Oh, can you tell the greatness of that love which made the everlasting God not only put His Son upon the altar but actually do the deed and thrust the sacrificial knife into His Son’s heart? Can you think how overwhelming must have been the love of God towards the human race when He completed in act what Abraham only did in intention? Look there and see the place where His only Son hung dead upon the Cross–the bleeding Victim of awakened Justice! Here is love indeed. And here we see how it was that it pleased the Father to bruise Him.

This allows me to push my text just one point further. Beloved, it is not only true that God did design and did permit with willingness the death of Christ. It is, moreover true, that the unutterable agonies that clothed the death of the Savior with superhuman terror, were the effect of the Father’s bruising of Christ in very act and deed.

There is a martyr in prison: the chains are on his wrists and yet he sings. It has been announced to him that tomorrow is his burning day. He claps his hands right merrily and smiles while he says, “It will be sharp work tomorrow. I shall breakfast below on fiery tribulations, but afterwards I will sup with Christ! Tomorrow is my wedding day, the day for which I have long panted, when I shall sign the testimony of my life by a glorious death.”

The time is come. The men with the halberds precede him through the streets. Mark the serenity of the martyr’s countenance. He turns to some who look upon him and exclaims, “I value these iron chains far more than if they had been of gold. It is a sweet thing to die for Christ.” There are a few of the boldest of the saints gathered round the stake and as he unrobes himself, before he stands upon the fire wood to receive his doom, he tells them that it is a joyous thing to be a soldier of Christ–to be allowed to give his body to be burned. And he shakes hands with them and bids them “Good bye,” with merry cheer.

One would think he were going to his wedding, rather than to be burned. He steps upon the fire wood. The chain is put about his middle. And after a brief word of prayer, as soon as the fire begins to ascend, he speaks to the people with manful boldness. But hark, he sings while the fire wood is cracking and the smoke is blowing upward. He sings and when his nether parts are burned he still goes on chanting sweetly some Psalm of old. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed and the mountain be carried into the midst of the sea.”

Picture another scene. There is the Savior going to His Cross, all weak and wan with suffering. His soul is sick and sad within Him. There is no Divine composure there. So sad is His heart that He faints in the streets. The Son of God faints beneath a Cross that many a criminal might have carried. They nail him to the Tree. There is no song of praise. He is lifted up in the air and there He hangs preparatory to His death. You hear no shout of exultation. There is a stern compression of His face, as if unutterable agony were tearing His heart – as if over again Gethsemane were being acted on the Cross – as if His soul were still saying, “If it is possible let this Cross pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Hark! He speaks. Will He not sing sweeter songs than ever came from martyr’s lips? Ah, no–it is an awful wail of woe that can never be imitated. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” The martyrs said not that – God was with them. Confessors of old cried not so when they came to die. They shouted in their fires and praised God on their racks. Why this? Why does the Savior suffer so? Why, Beloved, it was because the Father bruised Him. – C.H. Spurgeon, The Death of Christ 
Consider again the solemn declaration of Jesus Christ, when He publicly said, “for this cause came I unto this hour.” (John 12:27). The coming of the Son of God was from eternity into time, in coming from Heaven to earth – through the incarnation – and the hour that was at hand would ultimately climax in the crucifixion. Hence, the Lord of Glory could not be made to waver when staring at the finish line of the race from an earthly perspective. The real cause of sorrow and fear in the Son of God was neither horizontal, physical, nor earthly. Rather, it was vertical, spiritual, and heavenly. It was not a horizontal situation, man to Man, but it was a vertical situation, Man to God.
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Biblical Due Process

9/6/2022

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Internet Gossip in the Information Age 

​“𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡: 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙; 𝑛𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡: 𝑁𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒... 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑤𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒. 𝐾𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑛𝑜𝑡: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑.” - 𝐸𝑥𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑠 23:1-3,6-7
​Internet gossip is at an all-time high since the beginning of the information age. Now, more than ever, true Christians need to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16). In other words, we need to understand the crafty and serpentine ways that the world uses to destroy men of influence in our time. Christian, don't be so naïve (as I was!) to think that professing Christians will not launch a massive smear-campaign against true Christians just like the "Political Assassination Hit Pieces" that are common in politics. The fact that America has descended into total disarray and madness for the past 6 years only underscores the importance of this issue.

Don't let men rob the accused from the only means of recourse by refusing to name the accuser. Don't trust the accuser without hearing from the accused. Not even heathen "law and justice" would allow such things in the courtrooms of America. How much more ought Christians to shun a NAMELESS and FACELESS smear-campaign that gives no opportunity for the accused to give an answer. Our bounden duty is to follow Biblical Due Process in order to discern the truth. The eternal destiny of the individuals caught-in-the-crossfire of these events, I know not, but let us all be sobered and duly warned: “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). 
People surf the internet for a spectacle. They judge many matters and fantasize about others without concern for all the witnesses present (to hear both sides) in a mock trial that is a disgrace even to secular law and order. Truly, a day of reckoning is coming! However, to all who traffic here and there, I plead for sincerity and truth: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25). 

Discerning Credible Sources of Information 

​"𝑂 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑖𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑒, 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙, 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠? 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑡ℎ." - 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑡. 12:34
Righteous people speak right things. Evil people speak evil things. Spiritual men have spiritual discernment. Carnal men have carnal discernment (Rom. 8:5-8). The accuracy of any given testimony heavily depends upon whether or not each person is truly converted to Christ. A true Christian is spiritually capable of giving a true report on matters of Biblical Due Process in the Body of Christ. A falsely converted Christian will give a false report by virtue of being blind to the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Biblical matters of due process within the Body of Christ require spiritual discernment. 

Nevertheless, even true Christians are capable of giving false reports if someone has fallen into sin and is currently backslidden. Sin is a blinding force even upon true Christians if they are being untrue to the Gospel and disobedient to the Covenant. Therefore, a true testimony of conversion isn't all that is necessary for the human heart to yield the truth. A right relationship with God at present is also necessary. Furthermore, the testimony of true Christians should be backed up by two or three witnesses when it comes to accusations of grave concern and / or the judgment of Elders in the Church. 

What is Biblical Due Process?

#1. Spiritual & Biblical Discernment Must be Used
Not every witness should be believed, but only TRUE and CREDIBLE witnesses - only those who are evidently converted to become lovers of the truth (2 Thess. 2:10) by the grace of God. In other words, the fruits of true conversion must be present in their lives! For instance, in the secular world of America, would a spy from Russia be a credible witness in witnessing against an American on matters of American Law? Likewise, shall we hold as credible, witnesses who are not even in the Kingdom of God (Jn. 3:12)?
“Except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the Kingdom of God” - John 3:3

“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.” - Jude 1:10

“Beloved, BELIEVE NOT every spirit, but TRY the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” -1 John 4:1

"Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, WHY DO YE NOT BELIEVE ME? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." - John 8:43-47

"They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." - 1 Jn. 4:5-7

“It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” - Prov. 18:5

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” - Gal. 6:1
There should be an awareness that we live in perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1-5): a time of mockers, backsliders, persecutors, and liars who profess the name of Christ so as to wear sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
"Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. LET THEM ALONE: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" - Matt. 15:12-14

“PROVE ALL things; hold fast that which is good.” - 1 Thess 5:21

"And then shall MANY be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And MANY false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive MANY. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of MANY shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Matthew 24:10-13
There should be a biblical perspective of what mischief Satan is capable of through slander and persecution. A biblical precedent has been clearly set forth in Scripture concerning the capabilities of Satan in this area, lest what happened in the 1st century to the apostle Paul repeats itself. This means that there should be an awareness that true Christians can be deceived by the manipulation of Satan through slander, like the Jerusalem Christians did wrongly reject the apostle Paul at the latter end of his ministry because they believed the ever-growing tumult of false witnesses which rose up against him (they were feeling pressured, no doubt, by the great multitude of false reports which ran to and fro continually). [For more information on what happened to the apostle Paul, please see The Early Church & A Survey of Biblical Missions.]
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep IN THE MIDST of wolves: be ye therefore WISE as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Matt. 10:16

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receivethnot the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? but we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Cor. 2:13-15

Promises & Prophesies Which Must be Fulfilled --- John 12:23-28 (Lk. 6:40 (1 Jn. 2:6, Heb. 2:10, Acts 14:22), Jn. 7:6-7 (1 Jn. 3:1, 13, 1 Pet. 4:1), Jn. 12:35-36 (Matt. 5:14-16, Eph. 5:7-17, Heb. 13:12-13), Jn. 15:18-25 (1 Jn. 3:1, 1 Thess. 1:6, 2:1-4, 13-16, 2 Tim. 3:12)

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​#2. All the Necessary Witnesses Involved with the Event Must be Heard & then Judged
The temptation will be strong to hear some witnesses - but not all witnesses - of a reported incident, or to hear the accuser but not the accused. All the witnesses who were present and involved in the matter reported must have EQUAL place to speak before conclusions / judgments are made, and the witnesses must be treated with due process of respect irrespective of reputation!
"Doth our Law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" - John 7:51

“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.” - Lev. 19:15-16

"And I charged your judges at that time, saying, HEAR the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall NOT respect persons in judgment; but ye shall HEAR the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it." - Deut. 1:16-17

"He that answereth a matter BEFORE HE HEARETH IT, it is folly and shame unto him." - Prov. 18:13

"It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment." - Prov. 24:23
The witnesses must be soundly examined - the persons and their fruits - and when they prove sound and true to be considered viable witnesses, two or three from a single event reported must be carefully examined and diligently questioned with the contrary witness held in scope. (Note: This is not two or three witnesses of two different events of two different times, both of whom come together to confirm something similar, thus condemning the character of the accused. This is not biblical. The two or three different witnesses must be from the SAME event, with the contrary witnesses being heard, weighed, and held in just balance.)
​“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”  - 2 Cor 13:1

“At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” - Deut 17:6

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” - 1 Tim 5:19

“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” - Prov 18:17

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” - Prov 25:2
If you ever find anyone pleading for Biblical Due Process and the accusing party is giving excuses on why it can't be done, you should be highly suspicious of the matter being reported to say the least. No one has the right to cast the rules of biblical integrity to the wind concerning this matter. 

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"BACK TO THE NEW TESTAMENT" - Rolfe Barnard

11/24/2020

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"Recently I read a book on 'The Radical Reformation' - a tremendous book - 'The Radical Reformation,' in which the battle between the 'Magisterial Reformers' - Calvin, and Zwingli, and Luther - the battle that raged between them and the 'Radical Reformers' - Huss, and Hubmair, and Menno Simons - and all of that long list of men and women who absolutely forced Calvinists, Lutherans, and Catholics to kill 'em. Somebody tore up the little common place that a certain spirit of a certain age will martyr a reformer. That's not so! But a reformer that God's using so conducts himself that his age has to kill him! He creates the atmosphere of his own martyrdom. And every person hearing me tonight, your spiritual ancestors were that kind of people, whose blood in Europe stained God's earth at the hands of Lutherans, Calvinists, and Catholics, because they were extremists.

Now you'll get in a lot of trouble reading history if you claim kin with folks too quickly. But there was one thing about the precursors of our brand of Baptist life today - we've about run out of it - but they were our precursors. Whatever they believed - they believed all over - and they believed it with such a terrible intensity, that they were drowned, they were quartered, that their tongues were pulled out, so moved that they literally watered Europe with their blood. And it's some comfort to a people like us that you can find ten thousand things wrong with the theology and the practice of every one of 'em, but you can find ONE THING dead right: they didn't want to stop with Calvin, and Luther, and Zwingli and their immediate successes, they wanted to get clear BACK TO THE NEW TESTAMENT." - Evangelist Rolfe Barnard (1904 - 1969)


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The Doctrine of Persecution

11/17/2020

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Bury a good man in infamy,
& God will raise him from the dead. 
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Persecuted by the Church

12/5/2019

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Have you ever heard the phrase, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed-bed of the Church?" This was the victorious declaration of an overcoming Church in the midst of horrendous tribulations, but was it only for them? These Early Church Christians experienced the promises and prophecies of the Bible because they obeyed the Bible. Those who walk in the ways of Christ experience the suffering and glory of Christ, just as He promised! What promises and prophecies, you wonder?

Promises & Prophecies Which Must be Fulfilled --- John 12:23-28 (Lk. 6:40 (1 Jn. 2:6, Heb. 2:10, Acts 14:22), Jn. 7:6-7 (1 Jn. 3:1, 13, 1 Pet. 4:1), Jn. 12:35-36 (Matt. 5:14-16, Eph. 5:7-17, Heb. 13:12-13), Jn. 15:18-25 (1 Jn. 3:1, 1 Thess. 1:6, 2:1-4, 13-16, 2 Tim. 3:12)

Not just anybody can become a God-sent missionary, no! One must be chosen and sent by God Almighty in Spirit and truth, like the apostles, prophets, and evangelists of the New Testament. The Gospels and the Book of Acts - as one witness - entrusts to all Christians "The Instruction Manuel of Mission Work", the one and only. We have no other standard of normal "Christianity" or normal "Missions" except the testimony of inspired scripture. Let's be honest, what has our own methods and missions done for God or man? Very little in comparison to the testimony of scripture, this is for sure. God's Missions done God's way will never lack God's blessings! But are we prepared to walk in "God's way"?

The Book of Acts does historically and factually chronicle the missionary exploits of Christ-possessed men who turned the world upside down and suffered martyrdom, this we know... but what was the secret of the Early Church? Has the world changed? Has God's Missionary Method changed? Is all of this really relevant to 21st century Christians, "American Christians"? Should we really compare ourselves to apostolic missions? My reader, our example is Jesus Christ, the Living Lord, and the apostles commanded us to walk in their ways which were "in Christ". The real question is, has Christ changed?

Leonard Ravenhill made the right comparisons when he said, speaking of Christ, "And there's no room for Him [Christ] in the inn. He got a bit older, there was no room in His family, His family turned on Him. He went to the temple, no room in the temple, the temple turned on Him. And when He died there was no room to bury Him, He died outside of the city." What do Christ's sufferings have to do with 21st century "American Christians", according to Ravenhill? He went on to say, "Well why in God's Name do you [American Christians] expect to be accepted everywhere? How is it that the world couldn't get on with the holiest Man that ever lived and can get on with you and me? Are we compromised? Are we compromised? Have we no spiritual stature? Have we no righteousness that reflects on their corruption?" Ravenhill spoke the truth! No matter the century or generation, Satan hasn't changed, the world hasn't changed, and Jesus Christ hasn't changed ("the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" - Heb. 13:8) - that's the truth of the matter!
This sermon series surveys the Early Church as it began, progressed, and matured in Jerusalem and in the Gentile world, through the instrumentality of the apostle Peter and the apostle Paul. Part # 1 of this series reflects upon Acts Chapters 1-15 (approximately) comparing the Church in Jerusalem among the Jews with the Church in the Gentile world among all nations (revealed through Paul's First Missionary Journey). What is the foremost discovery unveiled by this simple comparison? The answer is also simple: the capability and predictability of depravity.
Paul's First Missionary Journey
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Depravity is capable of lying and slandering to advance its cause against the Gospel and its Ministers. Any time depraved men are faced with a circumstance of men preaching the truth with a witness of Christ-like stature, depravity is predictable. The only way to stop Spirit-filled Christians who hazard their lives with relentless zeal and fearless boldness is murder, and the only way to accomplish a murder is to frame it to appear just and right to the public through lying, slander, and false-incrimination. My reader, do you believe that sinners in the 21st century will predictably do this just like the sinners of the 1st century did? Prophecy doesn't say that the world will get better as time goes on but worse, right? What saith the scripture?

If we are ever going to see "Pentecostal Power" return to the Church, we must prepare our hearts to walk-out the biblical testimony of post-Pentecost persecution. Power was with the preaching and persecuted, not the popular. Martyrs must exist because of the capability and predictability of depravity.

My reader, think about what happened in Jerusalem! The disciples denied Christ, forsook Christ, and were scattered from Christ, and consequentially they were confused, overwhelmed, and depressed. Albeit with two moves of Christ's omnipotent hand, the City which killed Christ was turned to Christ! 8,000 souls were swept into the Kingdom and a good 15,000 to 40,000 (approximately) were utterly astonished with wonder at the 8,000 converts to Christianity who were transformed into New Creatures right in front of their eyes! In this circumstance, now, the Sanhedrin became confused, overwhelmed, and depressed! Slander did not hinder or overcome the witness of Christ and the Gospel, no! Slander and persecution did but provide a circumstance of evangelistic impossibility whereby the Lord Jesus converted people by the methods which He did always ordain, as Paul confessed, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

Slander did not pervert the Gospel witness, it established it! Therefore, is persecution localized to a certain race, language, or culture of humanity, or is it common among all depraved humanity in every century? Paul's missionary journeys do conclusively answer such a question. If Satan is the same, sinners are the same, and Christ is the same, the persecution that broke-out in Jerusalem will predictably break-out everywhere else when the same witness is manifest! The capability and predictability of depravity demonstrated in Jerusalem among the Jews, was repeated among the Gentiles when they encountered the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in all nations - Christ-conflicting-Depravity everywhere and in everyone, no exceptions!
 
Indeed there is a senselessness of satanic fury which works through depraved men in persecution of Gospel preaching… so what can be said? It is just sin. It is just hate. It is Satan's fury against Christ-in-men! Let us take heed therefore, brethren! Let us face the biblical facts! Persecution progresses alike in all depraved humans when and if a biblical witness is being manifest: Light – Moderate – Strong! This very same pattern is proven predictable in Paul's second and third missionary journeys (covered in part #2 of this series).
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
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Paul's Third Missionary Journey
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Hell spawned heresy which fueled a worldwide torrent of slander and persecution against the apostle Paul, the most loving man in the Gentile world. This slander and persecution led to a perpetual and predictable manhunt. Jews would travel city-to-city, nation-to-nation, and Church-to-Church wreaking havoc on the name and reputation of the apostle Paul until he was put behind bars and killed. The Second and Third missionary journeys of the apostle Paul reveal the chaotic unanimity whereby the Gentiles and Jews were, through depravity, one in Satan. There is no rhyme or reason to it except that Satan was out to get the apostle Paul, and God allowed it. The methods of Satan have not changed today, and we need to reckon with this biblical fact. We are approaching a perilous time - which now is! -  when these methods of Satan shall triumph in their cause with far greater speed and subtlety than in the 1st century, and if we don't understand how and why the Jerusalem Christians were eventually bewitched to forsake the apostle Paul, then we may end up forsaking our very own brethren in this our day. If we don't understand how and why all the Churches of Asia (generally speaking) forsook the apostle Paul, we may end up forsaking our very own brethren in this our day.

Look straight-on at the sober reality which Paul faced, my reader. He told Timothy in one of his last letters before his martyrdom, "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes" (2 Tim. 1:15). How did it happen? Why would all of Asia forsake the primary instrument God used to plant Churches in that region? I entreat the reader to listen to the sermons and follow along in the scriptures so as to find out why. What did happen must happen, then and now... only may God open our eyes so that we will hear what His voice is speaking through inspired scripture. May God open our eyes to see "the signs of the times" which are upon us in this late hour. May God have mercy and wake up the sleeping virgins as it was prophesied in Matthew Chapter 25. May God raise up biblical Christians and biblical Churches who suffer with and glorify Christ in this our day.

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​The Early Church and a Survey of Biblical Missions - Part 1

​​The Early Church and a Survey of Biblical Missions - Part 2

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"So Send I You" - Jesus (Jn. 20:21)

9/5/2018

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​So send I you to labour unrewarded
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing
So send I you to toil for Me alone

So send I you to bind the bruised and broken
Over wandering souls to work, to weep, to wake
To bear the burdens of a world a-weary
So send I you to suffer for My sake

So send I you to loneliness and longing
With hart a-hungering for the loved and known
Forsaking home and kindred, friend and dear one
So send I you to know My love alone

So send I you to leave your life's ambition
To die to dear desire, self-will resign
To labour long, and love where men revile you
So send I you to lose you life in Mine

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred
To eyes made blind because they will not see
To spend, though it be blood to spend and spare not
So send I you to taste of Calvary
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"Get Off the Sinking Ship" - A.W. Tozer

9/3/2018

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​“Let me go out on a limb a little bit and prophesy.

I see the time coming when all the holy men whose eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit will desert Worldly Evangelicalism, one by one. The house will be left desolate and there will not be a man of God, a man in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, left among them…

I hear Jesus saying… 
Mat 23:37-38: 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to her, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate'. 

As the Church now stands, the man who sees this condition of Worldly Evangelicalism is written off as somewhat fanatical. But the day is coming when the house will be left desolate and there will not be a man of God among them. I would like to live long enough to watch this develop and see how things turn out. I would like to live to see the time when the men and woman of God – holy, separated and spiritually enlightened – walk out of the evangelical church and form a group of their own; when they GET OFF THE SINKING SHIP and let her go down in the brackish and worldliness and form a new ark to ride out the storm.”

​– A.W. Tozer 
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"The Gift of Prophecy" - A.W. Tozer

8/29/2018

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A prophet is one who knows his times and what God is trying to say to the people of his times. Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of spiritual penetration and interpretation, the ability to appraise the religious scene as viewed from God's position, and to tell us what is actually going on.

Where is the man who can see through the ticker tape and confetti to discover which way the parade is headed, why it started in the first place and, particularly, who is riding up front in the seat of honor?

What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present. Learning will enable a man to pass judgment on our yesterdays, but it requires a gift of clear seeing to pass sentence on our own day. One hundred years from now historians will know what was taking place religiously in this year of our Lord; but that will be too late for us. We should know right now. If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation it must be by other means than any now being used. If the church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many) he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the one and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath. We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the church, and it is my belief that the one gift we need most now is the gift of prophecy.

- A.W. Tozer, from "Of God and Men"

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"God, Send Us Prophets!" - Leonard Ravenhill

8/28/2018

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"There is a terrible vacuum in evangelical Christianity today. The missing person in our ranks is the prophet. The man with a terrible earnestness. The man totally otherworldly. The man rejected by other men, even other good men, because they consider him too austere, too severely committed, too negative and unsociable.

Let him be as plain as John the Baptist. 

Let him for a season be a voice crying in the wilderness of modern theology and stagnant "churchianity." 

Let him be as selfless as Paul the apostle. 

Let him, too, say and live, "This ONE thing I do." 

Let him reject ecclesiastical favors. 

Let him be self-abasing, nonself-seeking, nonself-projecting, nonself- righteous, nonself-glorying, nonself-promoting. 

Let him say nothing that will draw men to himself but only that which will move men to God. 

Let him come daily from the throne room of a holy God, the place where he has received the order of the day. 

Let him, under God, unstop the ears of the millions who are deaf through the clatter of shekels milked from this hour of material mesmerism.

God, send us PROPHETS!"


- Leonard Ravenhill 

“In a day of faceless politicians and voiceless preachers, there is not a more urgent national  need than that we cry to God for a prophet! The function of the prophet, as Austin Sparks once  said, “has almost always been that of recovery”. The prophet is God’s detective seeking for lost  spiritual treasures. The degree of his effectiveness is determined by the measure of his unpopularity. Compromise is not known to him. He has no price tags. He is totally  “otherworldly”. He is unquestionably controversial and unpardonably hostile. He marches to another drummer!”  - Leonard Ravenhill

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"Seriously Count the Cost" - George Whitefield

8/23/2018

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"What say you?

Are you resolved to live godly in Christ Jesus, notwithstanding the consequence will be, that you must suffer persecution?

You are beginning to build; but have you taken the Lord's advice, to "sit down first and count the cost?" Have you well weighed with yourselves that weighty declaration, "He that loves father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me;" and again, "Unless a man forsake all that he has he cannot be My disciple?" Perhaps some of you have great possessions; will not you go away sorrowful, if Christ should require you to sell all that you have! Others of you again may be kinsmen, or some way related, or under obligations, to the high priests, or other great personages, who may be persecuting the Church of Christ: What say you? Will you, with Moses, "rather choose to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season?" 

Perhaps you may say, "my friends will not oppose me." That is more than you know: in all probability your chief enemies will be those of your own household. If therefore they should oppose you, are you willing naked to follow the naked Christ? And to wander about in sheep-skins and goats-skins, in dens and caves of the earth; being afflicted, destitute, tormented, rather than not be Christ's disciples? You are now all following with zeal, as Ruth and Orpah did Naomi, and may weep under the word; but are not your tears, crocodile tears?  

And, when difficulties come, will you not go back from following the Lord, as Orpah departed from following Naomi? Have you really the root of grace in your hearts? Or, are you only stony-ground hearers? You receive the word with joy;  but, when persecution arises because of the Word, will you not be immediately offended?

Be not angry with me for putting these questions to you. I am jealous over you, but it is with a godly jealousy: for, alas! how many have put their hands to the plough, and afterwards have shamefully looked back? I only deal with you, as our Lord did with persons that said, "Lord, I will follow you wherever you will. The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man, (says he) has not where to lay His head." What say you? Are you willing to endure hardness, and thereby approve yourselves good soldiers of Jesus Christ? You now come on foot out of towns and villages to hear the word, and receive me as a messenger of God: but will you not by and by cry out, Away with him, away with him; it is not fit such a fellow should live upon the earth? 

Perhaps some of you, like Hazael, may say, "Are we dogs, that we should do this?" But, alas! I have met with many unhappy souls, who have drawn back unto perdition, and have afterwards accounted me their enemy, for dealing faithfully with them, though once, if it were possible, they would have plucked out their own eyes, and have given them unto me. 

Sit down, therefore, I beseech you, and seriously count the cost, and ask yourselves again and again, whether you count all things but dung and dross, and are willing to suffer the loss of all things, so that you may win Christ, and be found in Him."

 - Whitefield's Sermons: "Persecution, Every Christians's Lot."
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<<Previous

    Persecution 

    Article #1: ​"Seriously Count the Cost" - George Whitefield
    ​

    Article #2: ​"Slanders & Reproaches" - John Bunyan

    Article #3: ​"The Most Fearful Slander" - C.H. Spurgeon

    Article #4: ​Biblical Due Process 

    Article #5: ​"BACK TO THE NEW TESTAMENT" - Rolfe Barnard
    ​

    Article #6: ​The Doctrine of Persecution

    Article #7: ​Persecuted by the Church

    Article #8: ​"So Send I You" - Jesus (Jn. 20:21)

    Article #9: ​"Get Off the Sinking Ship" - A.W. Tozer

    Article #10: ​"The Gift of Prophecy" - A.W. Tozer

    Article #11: ​"God, Send Us Prophets!" - Leonard Ravenhill

    ​
    Article #12: Historical Accounts of Martyrdom Compared to the Passion of Jesus Christ 

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