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The Acts of the Apostles
enmity with the law of God, and will not be subject to its commands.
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The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today
than it was in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted
the cry, “Crucify Him! crucify Him!” the same hatred that led to the
persecution of the disciples, still works in the children of disobedience.
The same spirit which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women
to prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture
of the Inquisition, which planned and executed the Massacre of St.
Bartholomew, and which kindled the fires of Smithfield, is still at work
with malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. The history of truth
has ever been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The
proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world
in the face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering.
What was the strength of those who in the past have suffered
persecution for Christ’s sake? It was union with God, union with
the Holy Spirit, union with Christ. Reproach and persecution have
separated many from earthly friends, but never from the love of Christ.
Never is the tempest-tried soul more dearly loved by his Saviour than
when he is suffering reproach for the truth’s sake. “I will love him,”
Christ said, “and will manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21
. When
for the truth’s sake the believer stands at the bar of earthly tribunals,
Christ stands by his side. When he is confined within prison walls,
Christ manifests Himself to him and cheers his heart with His love.
When he suffers death for Christ’s sake, the Saviour says to him, They
may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul. “Be of good cheer; I
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have overcome the world.” “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”
John 16:33
;
Isaiah 41:10
.
“They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot
be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about
Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even
forever.” “He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and
precious shall their blood be in His sight.”
Psalm 125:1-3
;
72:14
.
“The Lord of hosts shall defend them; ... the Lord their God shall
save them in that day as the flock of His people: for they shall be as
the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land.”
Zechariah
9:15, 16
.
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