Persecution in the Church

Lesson 5

Early America to Modern Persecution

Part II Persecution in Church History

From the Time of Colonial America to Present Day

The Baptists were persecuted

Crimes such as

Preaching the gospel

Refusing to have infants baptized

Punishment

Whipping

Banishment

Fines

Property confiscated

In America before the constitution

Puritans, Anglicans and Congregationalists persecuted or discriminated against the Baptists

Taxation

Loss of property

Whipping

Incarceration

Roger Williams

Main proponent of:

Separatism,

freedom of religion

separation of church and state

Founded the first Baptist Church

Roger Williams

Because of his strong views on separation, he was to be arrested, but walked 100 plus miles in the snow and was rescued by the Indians

He basically set up Rhode Island as the first colony with complete religious freedom in the USA

Roger Williams and Indians

Roger Williams and John Clarke in Rhode Island

Went to England to get a charter –Williams returned without success from Oliver Cromwell, but after 12 years, John Clarke received the charter

Rhode Island – first place with religious liberty ever 1663 – Clarke had set up the first baptist church in 1638

First Baptist church in USA –by Williams & Clarke

Obadiah Holmes whipped

Clarke, Holmes & visiting preacher Crandall visited a parishoner just inside Massachusetts Bay. They were bound and brought into a Congregational church with hands tied and then charged with failure to remove their hats during a religious service. They were fined (also mentioned about infant baptism)

Obadiah Holmes

Holmes, a former Congregationalist, refused to have his fine paid, and was whipped so badly that blood overflowed his boots – for weeks he could not lay on his back

Obadiah Holmes whipping

Persecution by the Presbyterians

A small colony of 5 Baptist families was taxed to build a Presbyterian church. They were unable to pay, and their properties were sold at 10% of the value, much bought by the Presbyterian minister who was to move there

Persecutions under the Anglicans – James Ireland 1748-1806

22 years old arrested for preaching without authorization from the bishop

Placed in Culpepper Jail – tried to kill him with sulfur fumes, blow him up with gunpowder, poison him through a doctor, cursed and rode horses through those who gathered to hear him preach

Eventually a small church was built on the site of the infamous jail

James Ireland memorial

Persecutions endured – from court records

"pelted with apples and stone""ducked and nearly drowned by 20 men""commanded to take a dram, or be whipped"" jailed for permitting a man to pray""meeting broken up by a mob""arrested as a vagabond and schismatic""pulled down and hauled about by hair""tried to suffocate him with smoke""tried to blow him up with gun powder"

Persecutions endured – from court records

" "dragged off stage, kicked, and cuffed about"

"shot with a shot-gun"" ruffians armed with bludgeons beat

him""severely beaten with a whip""whipped severely by the Sheriff""hands slashed while preaching“

Virginia – Anglican laws which gave a little freedom

Patrick Henry volunteered to defend three baptist preachers – with success

One baptist preacher/county who could preach once every two months in one location and never at night. No mission work. They were convinced a church could not survive without government support. Freedom finally came in 1786

Summary observations thus far

As we began, we saw that the unsaved (children of the flesh) persecute the saved (children of the Spirit). Although the example in Galatians was of Ishmael and Isaac, that example remains true today and has been true since the beginning of the unsaved in the line of Cain.

Summary observations

Thus we can expect in any age that there will be religious persecution of the saved by the unsaved

With the beginning of Christianity, that persecution was outside the church, primarily from the Roman government

Summary observations

However, when Christianity was no longer a persecuted religion, unbelievers flooded into the church.

Many unbiblical heathen concepts entered the church, especially with the unsaved.

Summary observations

Now the church became powerful, wealthy, and began persecuting true believers.

We saw the beginning in the Old Testament, with kings and others persecuting the prophets.

Summary observations

The monolithic corrupt Catholic church began persecuting many, although at all times God has had His chosen believers within the church. When the concept of the state church arose, the Protestant churches also used the same methods.

The one church which has never persecuted by conviction is the Baptists

Summary observations

The concept of the state-church created many problems

All are in the church – saved and unsaved, by virtue of their birth into a location

Infant baptism is a way to ensure that all are in the state church, and insisting on freedom of choice is a threat to the state church existence

The more monolithic the structure, the greater opportunity for abuse

Persecution in Expansion

With expansion of outreach especially since the 19th century, new sources of persecution came forth

There was competition between churches over various new lands

There was direct conflict with other religions – Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, etc

Persecution and martyrdom in missionary outreach

Raymond Lull was an early Catholic missionary to the Muslims. Originally rich and profligate, he got saved, cared for his wife and family, but then became a monk and went to reach the Muslims many times over many years

Raymond Lull, missionary to Islam Finally he returned to Bugia, east of

Algiers

After 10 months hiding, he presented himself publicly no longer hiding, and was stoned to death in 1315

Apparently some of his philosophical ideas were not well accepted, but it is clear that he had a tremendous burden and love for the Muslims

Life of Raymond Lull, killed by Muslims

John Williams

Very effective missionary to the Pacific Islands

He was finally killed and eaten on Erromango as he tried to extend to New Hebrides. There were clues that danger was there – no women on the shore, and he did not send natives first. He tried to outswim the natives, but was clubbed to death

His descendents went to Erromango to accept apologies from the natives in 2009

James Chalmers

Another effective Scottish missionary to the New Hebredes, loved by his people.

After many years he decided to extend his ministry to the dangerous Fly River area. He and a fellow missionary were clubbed to death and eaten

James Chalmers

John Coleridge Patteson

As Anglican bishop of Melanesia, he learned 20 different Melanesian languages. He brought native boys to New Zealand for education and to be returned as evangelists. Once he had over 50 students.

His plan was defeated by European “blackbirding” - capturing slaves. The natives became suspicious of his methods

John Patteson’s body set afloat

John Coleridge Patteson

When he went ashore, he did not return, and those following him were driven back by arrows. Later his body was pushed out in a canoe with 5 marked wounds for 5 men who had been stolen “blackbirded.

His death helped stop the practice of capturing slaves for sugar and cotton plantations, and raised up other missionaries

John Paton

He suffered a great deal under the natives of Tanna, and escaped. His wife and daughter had died there

He eventually went to Aniwa and had a very effective ministry for 24 years

Jim Elliot – Operation Auca

Members of three boards – all young; Nate Saint had been in Ecuador 7 years, as the oldest.

They were aware of the tragedy in Bolivia by NTM a decade earlier when hostile Indians killed 5 missionaries

They made contact in 1955 by plane, and landed 3 months later – knew little of the language

Jim Elliot

All 5 missionaries were killed by the Auca indians, but later Elizabeth Elliot and Rachel Saint lived among them and saw many get saved

It appears that the Auca are territorial, and view all foreigners as a threat which must be eliminated…

Many missionaries were recruited after their deaths

Jim Elliot and others

Nate Saint’s plane displayed at MAF

Dr. Carl Becker

Africa Inland Mission contacted him and he left for Africa with his wife and children. After living in several different areas, he settled in Oicha, Belgian Congo to work among the pygmies

Carl Becker

He was very innovative, especially with leprosy and psychiatric patients. He had 4000 patients in a 1100 acre compound and very great success – experts from over the world came. He was treating 2000 patients daily and doing 3000 operations per year

He also used electric shock therapy for psychiatric patients.

Carl Becker

At age 70, he left in 1964 escaped the Simbas (he had been targeted). He returned and continued 13 years after that and finally retired to the USA age 83.

He worked on a hospital and training center for Africans.

Dr. Carl Becker

Boxer rebellion –184 missionaries murdered

This was a political uprising to rid China of all foreign influence

CIM lost many missionaries

Boxer rebellion

Boxer rebellion

John & Betty Stam

Much turmoil in China between communists and Chang Kai-Shek

CIM director Hoste asked for 200 volunteers. Betty went to China, loved John, but John finished school, and re-met Betty who came to Shanghai for health reasons. They were married next year and studied the language

John & Betty Stam

John was extremely adept and became fluent quickly in Chinese

The couple went to a small town in the interior of China

The country was overrun by Communist bandits. They seized both and held them for ransom

John & Betty Stam

John and Betty Stam

While held, the bandits talked about killing their 3 month old baby. When a prisoner protested, he was hacked to pieces. Betty hid the baby in a sleeping bag with money. When led to execution, a man protested. They found a Bible in his home, and he was executed as well.

John and Betty Stam

John and Betty Stam were executed by the communists publicly. - with a great outpouring of support for missions following.

The baby was hidden & brought by a Christian evangelist to another missionary family and was raised by family in the USA

Missionary Martyrs

Other famous martyrs were John Birch, evangelist who preached and rescued many during Japan’s invasion – from Hangchow.

Eric Liddell, great Olympic champion, grew up in China and returned after his Olympic victory. He evacuated his family but died later of a brain tumor when in a concentration camp. He gave a powerful witness in the camp.

Eric Liddell, missionary and Olympic champion

Part II Persecution in Church History

The Present Day

Missionary Martyrs Graham Staines, 58, director of Leprosy

work in Orissa, India was murdered; burned to death with two sons while he slept while returning from a camp meeting. Graham was popular and a humble man who had served the lepers 35 years.

His wife publically forgave his murderers. The perpetrator was arrested 4 years later. Ferment was because the Christians abandoned old tribal customs

Graham Staines

Paul Carlson

Born in 1928, got training as MD, married with 2 children, wife a nurse. 1961 CMS asked for MDs for Congo and went where the political situation was volatile – stayed 5 months, felt the call to permanent missions

He left medical practice, came as missionary to Ubangi Providence. Communists came, and Paul moved his family to CAR. When he returned to close the hospital, the Simbascaptured him. He was tortured 3 months, and then killed during a rescue operation when helping another missionary over a wall

Dr. Paul Carlson

Dr. Paul Carlson

Other martyrs – Simbas

Hector McMillan gunned down and two boys shot. They were rescued, had to leave Hector’s body behind. His wife had come to peace reading about Adoniram Judson’s mourning Ann’s death.

The two boys faked death – one had prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do – 12 years old.

Other martyrs – Simbas

Jay Tucker, Assemblies of God 25 years, tortured and killed. They took 45 minutes torturing him, then dumped his body in the river for the crocodiles. But a convert used a tradition that someone’s blood in the river will carry the truth – and the majority of the tribe was saved

Other martyrs

Betty Olson - Vietnam... Initially other were killed in a leprosarium by the communists.

She had a difficult childhood as a MK raised in Africa, and then sent to boarding school. Her mother died of cancer when she was 17. Her father remarried, and she took training as a missionary nurse.

She went to Africa to work with her father and step-mother, but relationships were so difficult that she was asked to leave. She became depressed age 29

Other martyrs – Betty Olson

She escaped, but 6 years later was captured during the Tet offensive. She and two men were on a death march, malnurished with malaria, leaches, etc. One died. She was tortured and eventually killed. She suffered terribly and died of dysentery and malnutrition, but came out of a deep depression and resentment of her parents, and lived a selfless life her last years.

Other martyrs – Betty Olson

Benge, who survived, gave a strong testimony of her witness – he had survived 5 years in prison marches. Bengesaid she was the most selfless person he ever met – giving her meager food to indigeous Christians and coaxing him out of meningitis.

Nationals as martyrs

Chang Sen, blind evangelist, gave himself over when 50 Christians would have died –

They cremated his body because they were afraid he would rise from the dead

Terrorism & martyrdom

Terrorism viewed missionaries as enemies. Often they were considered CIA spies. Some Catholics were murdered by right wing groups. In Guatemala, 9 priests were killed in 9 months

Both left wing and right wing terrorists were active

Wycliffe decided not to yield to kidnapping demands

Terrorism & martyrdom

Chet Bitterman, struggling linguist, was singled out in Columbia when they did not find the head of mission. He had been there 2 years with his wife and two children. His wife’s parents were missionaries in Columbia. He was held 48 days, and then found shot in the chest.

Wycliffe was deluged with 200 volunteers to take his place.

Chet Bitterman

William Donald McClure

Old time missionary – evangelist, “doctor” without training, vet, agriculturalist, set up very successful broad-based ministries

Church planter, opposition from witch doctors – some were saved

He was shot to death by guerillas after Haile Selassie was deposed after 50 years in Ethiopia

In modern times other martyrs include

Marcus Whitman was killed by Indians

Chet Bitterman was executed by Marxist terrorists

Five men from NTM were killed by Indians

Twelve missionaries were executed by the Japanese at Hopewell – World War II

Many missionaries killed by the Simbas

Summary and conclusions

Persecution of believers started with Abel and has persisted to the present, and we can anticipate its continuation at least until Christ returns.

The righteous have been persecuted by the unrighteous, and especially the religious unrighteous, throughout the ages

Conclusions…

The Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles experienced persecution, and many experienced martyrdom.

Jesus, who is PERFECT RIGHTEOUS-NESS, suffered the worst persecution and abrogation of justice

Conclusions

The religious persecutors often believe that they are doing God’s work. The unreligious may simply enjoy showing their might.

When there is a union of the church and the state, there is almost inevitably persecution. Sometimes the persecuted turn persecutors when they gain power

Conclusions

We are not to fear persecution or persecutors, but rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for His sake

We must be careful that it is indeed for Christ’s sake that we suffer, and not for our own misdeeds or foolishness

We must not deny Christ

We must not place life or family above Christ

Conclusions

We have a responsibility to stand with those who are persecuted for righteousness sake –example Corrie Ten Boom, who hid Jews from the Nazis

The Lord promises to sustain us during all our trials, and never leave us or forsake us

Conclusions

Trials can purify or motives and demonstrate our priorities and our faith in a very tangible way

We are servants to our tormentors, and need to pray for them. Many have been saved – like Saul of Tarsus after the death of Stephan

Conclusions

God can show his great power when we choose to forgive our tormentors, and especially when we overcome evil with good. Repaying evil with good demands God’s supernatural power and can transform our suffering into an offering to Him

Forgiveness transforms

When Zacharias the high priest was stoned at the order of King Joash, he asked for revenge – and got it. Joash was later killed by his own servants and buried to the relief of all.

But when Jesus and Stephan forgave their persecutors, God’s great power was demonstrated transforming sinners to saints.

God uses persecution for witnessing opportunities

Paul looked at his imprisonment in this way, testifying before Kings and also presumably the emperor himself

He was very clear that his imprisonment was for the furtherance of the gospel (See Phil 1)

God uses persecution to purify us and prepare us for heaven

We see that all things that are permitted in our lives as Christians to conform us to the image of His son –with the goal of spending eternity with Him

Furthermore, there are great rewards for faithfulness in times of persecution