The Apostles were Persecuted (Acts 5:17-32, 39)

I am thinking about, and referring to, our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted today around the world, especially in Iran/Pakistan. The apostles were persecuted in their time. In whom did they put their faith? Today, in whom do we put our faith and trust? Do we put our faith and trust in the Lord God of heaven and earth as the apostles did? Are we like Stephen who trusted in the Lord God? Today we must be like Stephen.

Let us turn to our Bibles and read Acts 7:51-56, 59, 60; 8:1-4 and 9:1-6. I know you know the story of Saul (Paul) and what he did to the apostles. Saul obtained letters of authority from the Romans to persecute the men and women of Damascus. On his way, the Lord Jesus stopped him from persecuting his followers, sons and daughters of the Lord God. Could he not do the same and prevent the police around the world, and especially in Iran/Pakistan from obtaining letters from their authorities to persecute his followers today? Is anything too hard for the Lord? Look at Job 10:3, 8-13. God conceals His reasons when He wishes, but Job was vindicated in the end. Let the same happen to us, and particularly the brethren and sisters in Iran/Pakistan.

We know the story of king David and his trust in God as in Psalm 27. He also said, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God’. “My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31:14-16). Also, “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues…In my alarm I said ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help” (verses 19, 20, 22).

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you” (Psalm 20:1) and see also verses 2, 4-6. May the name of the God of Jacob protect us wherever we are, especially our brothers and sisters who are on the run.

May the Lord God send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy wnen you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our Lord God. I know that the Lord saves His anointed, He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

Brothers and sisters, remember Paul and Barnabas when they went “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). We must apply these words of Paul and Barnabas to our day and strengthen today’s disciples.

Let us recall what happened to Peter when he was in prison. The church prayed earnestly for him, Acts 12:5. In verse 7 it says, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” If the Lord through his angel did this to Peter, could He not do the same thing for our brothers and sisters? I am appealing to all brothers and sisters: Let us pray to the Lord God through our Lord Jesus as the church prayed for Peter. The Lord God answered them, and He will answer us also.

Romans 8:35 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall trouble, or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” 2 Timothy 2:3 says, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” Also Matthew 24:2-14, especially verses 9 and 13, “You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and you will be hated by all nations because of me…“But he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Let us trust in the Lord as David said in Psalms 146:3-7; 31:24. Brothers and Sisters, be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord. Nothing will stop us if we put our faith and trust in the Lord. David said in Psalm 48:14, “For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even to the end.” Also Psalm 49:5, 6 “Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me? Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their riches” will not see the kingdom of God. Jeremiah said, “Ah, sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you…great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men. You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, both in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours. You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror” (Jeremiah 32:17, 19-21). God could do the same to our Brothers and Sisters being persecuted and I am appealing to them: Do not lose hope. In everything you are facing, keep up your courage, for I have faith in God that it will happen to us just as He helped Brothers and Sisters long, long years ago. It is the same Lord, the Lord of yesterday, today and for ever. Amen.

Bro. Harris Ndonga Mulongesha (Ndola, Zambia)


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