2006-10-09 15:37:16 · 30 answers · asked by Road Trip 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1. Accept that there is no alternative to obeying the command to preach.
2. Accept that the preaching work has divine protection
(Acts 5:29) We must obey God as ruler rather than men
(Isaiah 54:17) Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success
Interestingly, Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.
(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.
Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:
(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm
2006-10-09 16:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should not be fearful of persecution. 10 out of the 12 disiciples gave up there lives for Jesus. The other two, Judas committed suicide and John was exiled to the island of Patmos, which is here is received the visions and wrote the Book of Revelations. He was the only disiciple to have not been killed.
Jesus told them of there future deaths and what did they do??? THE Y STILL WENT OUT AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL!!! they knew that they would be killed for telling people about Jesus, yet they still went out and did it! If you knew you were going to be killed because of witnessing, would you do it? Do you have that courage and strength?
The world will hate us, because they hated Christ first. Expect persecution. Persecution can be someone picking on another person, a bully. It doesn't have to be shoving bamboo sticks up their fingernails.
Ever hear of Baptism by or of Suffering? Most Christians will not experience this, but for those who do, OH WHAT A PLACE/POSITION IN HEAVEN THAT PERSON WILL GET. It is when someone gives up there life for the cause of Jesus Christ. Christ died in suffering, therefore that person would die in suffering. That does not mean people who kill other people in the name of Jesus Christ. It is for people who are witnessing and spreading the Gospel who are persecuted and killed for their faith.
2006-10-09 22:53:25 · answer #2 · answered by sanctusreal77 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I think the key is to not be fearful about persecution.
We should be sharing the gospel, as Jesus told us to, no matter what happens. I live in Canada, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the church ends up being persecuted in our country one day. But it doesn't bother me.
Christians who live with persecution around the world pray for us in North America to have more persecution so our faith will be strengthened. They're probably right.
2006-10-09 22:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by ryanjamesm 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Consider the eleven apostles who were not at Christ's trial. Peter denied Jesus because he was there, and not not there. Hey, crucifixion was a painful execution and the Romans had their own gods. Now then, there are those who have non Christian gods who would persecute and kill Christians who are peaceful people. I guess some people would rather be live chickens rather than dead heroes. This could apply to weakness of the body.
2006-10-09 22:42:37 · answer #4 · answered by KonSengWon 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do you mean actual persecution, like losing your job or being kicked out of your house, or beaten up? Or just having people be rude to you, maybe sneer, or walk away. Don't let the small stuff bother you, it means absolutely nothing. Some people are just not interested in religion. If, however, you mean actual persecution--being beaten up, fired, or evicted because of your faith, there are probably laws in your area to protect you. I don't think any of that is legal. And your witnessing has to be reasonable, too--you can't start screaming for Jesus at 2 in the morning when people are sleeping peacefully, or in a theater when people are trying to hear a film, or for that matter in a synagogue, temple, or mosque during their services.
2006-10-09 22:42:13 · answer #5 · answered by jxt299 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
you witness to people you have a relationship with, none of this "persecution on yahoo" stuff that just happens cause nobody knows you. you witness to the people who are IN your LIFE, not strangers who think you're like every other "christian" that has screwed them over. having a relationship with them to begin with takes the fear out of the whole thing.
2006-10-09 22:40:43 · answer #6 · answered by Hot Lips 4077 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it doesnt really matter what other people of think of u as long as u are comforatable with urself and ur faith but if you feel like sharing your faith and personal experiences feel free to do it, but do it in a respectful manner basically start with people u know casually bring the subject of religion, god, christ, etc so on and so forth but if they arent receptive to it then change the subject most of the time people wont persecute you or think badly of you for it as long as ur not shoving it down their throats (which i believe is the wrong thing to do) and even if they do say something mean to you dont let it get to you people do and say stupid and mean things to other people all the time, its just how the world works somtimes, other ways to do it would be to start a blog online that welcomes people to the conversation, or make an informational website, start a club/group in your area with other people u know and perhaps more people will join who are interested in finding out more about christ, or ask members of your church for advice on it or a church in general if you dont regularly go to one, just remember to always be welcoming to anyone who wants to know what you have to say about christ and to not force your ideas on others and u shouldnt have too many problems, if u live somewhere, where u fear physical violence then i wouldnt risk it myself personally because i'm not Jesus and God hasnt asked me to die for him yet.... also BumbleBee, Me, Southernn and JohnB also make good points
2006-10-09 23:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by dae_shadow_spirit 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you truly believe in Christ then stand up for him, be proud of what you believe in, just don't get fanatic about it, it is not important to witness others about Christ, what is really important is that you witness him in your own heart, you simply have to fear of becoming a hypocrite don't let that happen God bless.
2006-10-09 22:50:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus said man will be persecuted for his name sake .It is your choice to witness or not ..One would need to pray and trust In the Lord to give you strength , wisdom, and an inner peace to be an apostle for Christ .
2006-10-09 22:48:15 · answer #9 · answered by southernn_sky_2020 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you need first to deal with why you would fear persecution. Get these things straightened out first...remember what the bible says. If God is for you...what does it matter what man can do to you?
2006-10-09 22:43:22 · answer #10 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋