Iran: Persecution Continues
April 20, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: Christian, faith, Farsi, Iran, persecution
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com
Iran: Persecution Continues
Authorities burst into a private home in Shiraz on Feb. 8, 2012, and arrested a group of believers who had gathered for worship. Iranians who convert from Islam to Christianity must worship in private homes because leaving Islam is forbidden by Iran’s Islamic government. Security officers confiscated Bibles, books, DVDs, teaching booklets, computers and a satellite dish.
Between seven and 10 Christian were arrested, but Mohabat News was able to confirm the identities of only seven. Those arrested include Mojtaba Hosseini, who was previously arrested in May 2008 and charged with being a Christian; Fariba Nazemian, Homayoung Shokoohi and their 17-year-old son, Nima; a woman named Sharifeh Dookh; and two other men, Vahid Hakkani and Masoud Golrooyan. The whereabouts of these believers is unknown. Continue Reading Iran: Persecution Continues…
Sermon Sunday – Samuel Davies – The Sacred Importance of the Christian Name
April 15, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in Sermon Sunday | Leave a commentThe Sacred Import of the Christian Name
by Samuel Davies
“The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.” Acts 11:26
Mere names are empty sounds, and but of little consequence. And yet it must be owned, that there are names of honor and significance; and, when they are attended with the things signified by them, they are of great and sacred importance! Such is the Christian name; a name about seventeen hundred years old. And now when the name is almost lost in party-distinctions, and the things signified by the name are almost lost in ignorance, error, vice, hypocrisy, and formality—it may be worth our while to consider the original import of that sacred name, as a proper expedient to recover both name and thing.
The name of Christian was not the first by which the followers of Christ were distinguished. Their enemies called them Galileans, Nazarenes, and other names of contempt. And among themselves they were called Saints, from their holiness; Disciples, from their learning their religion from Christ as their teacher; Believers, from their believing in him as the Messiah; and Brethren, from their mutual love and their relation to God and each other. Continue Reading Sermon Sunday – Samuel Davies – The Sacred Importance of the Christian Name…
Turkmenistan: Pastor Nurliev Released
April 13, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: Bible, Ilmurad Nurliev, persecution, Protestant, Turkmenistan
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com
Turkmenistan: Pastor Nurliev Released
Protestant pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was released from prison on Feb. 18 as part of the president’s “Flag Day” amnesty, in which about 230 prisoners were freed. Pastor Nurliev’s wife, Maya, and other family members greeted him as he arrived on a train from the Seydi labor camp with other pardoned prisoners.
“His release was so unexpected we forgot to get flowers,” she said. “It is such a joy I can’t tell you. Our sincere thanks and blessings to you and all who worked for his release.” The pastor learned of his amnesty the previous evening, and his family discovered it when they saw a list of those to be released posted on the Internet.
The 46-year-old Nurliev, who has a daughter and two grandchildren, leads Light to the World Protestant Church in Mary, Turkmenistan. He was barred from leaving Turkmenistan in 2007, and his church has been denied state registration. Police raided his home in February 2009, confiscating 225 Christian cassettes and DVDs. Continue Reading Turkmenistan: Pastor Nurliev Released…
Sermon Sunday – Charles Spurgeon – Spiritual Resurrection
April 8, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in Sermon Sunday | Leave a commentTags: ateasetees, Charles Spurgeon, Easter, sabbath, sin, Spiritual Resurrection, trespass
Spiritual Resurrection
April 12, 1857
by
C. H. SPURGEON
(1834-1892)
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”—Ephesians 2:1.
It might naturally be expected that I should have selected the topic of the resurrection on what is usually called the Easter Sabbath. I shall not do so; for although I have read portions which refer to that glorious subject, I have had pressed on my mind a subject which is not the resurrection of Christ, but which is in some measure connected with it—the resurrection of lost and ruined men by the Spirit of God in this life.
The apostle is here speaking, you will observe, of the church at Ephesus, and, indeed, of all those who were chosen in Christ Jesus, accepted in him, and redeemed with his blood; and he says of them, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Continue Reading Sermon Sunday – Charles Spurgeon – Spiritual Resurrection…
Israel: Death to Christianity
April 6, 2012 at 6:30 am | Posted in VOM Fridays | Leave a commentTags: Israel, Jerusalem, persecution
For more news on what’s really happening to Christians around the world go to the Voice of the Martyrs website: www.persecution.com
Israel: Death to Christianity
A Jerusalem church was vandalized on Monday, Feb. 20, in an attack reflecting the sentiments of Jewish nationalists.
Vandals spray-painted the words “Death to Christianity” on the wall of the Baptist Narkis Street Congregation church. The graffiti included profanity about Jesus and the words “Price Tag,” a slogan used by Jewish extremists to protest policies they perceive as anti-settlement. The vandals also slashed the tires of several cars parked in the church compound.
Police have launched an investigation into Monday’s attack, which is similar to a graffiti attack two weeks ago on the 11th-century Monastery of the Cross, also in west Jerusalem. “Officers are investigating a strong possibility of a nationalist motive, but no one has been apprehended yet,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ynet News. It is unlikely that Muslim vandals would have denigrated Jesus, who is considered a holy prophet in Islam.
When asked for comment on the attack by a local reporter, a VOM contact in the region said, “Jesus told us persecution would happen, and he told us to forgive when it does happen. So that’s what we think about the incident.” Continue Reading Israel: Death to Christianity…
Bearing Fruit
April 2, 2012 at 5:44 pm | Posted in Christianity | Leave a commentTags: ateasetees, Christian, fruit, truth
Recently, I was part of a discussion that has caused me to think about it for the past week almost exclusively. There were other things that were said that have me just as concerned, but this is the one that my mind decided to grab a hold of and not let go. In the midst of a discussion on another topic, this question was raised:
“Can someone claim to be a Christian, not bear fruit, and actually be a Christian?”
The response basically boiled down to:
“If an apple tree doesn’t bear apples, does that mean it’s not an apple tree? Of course not! It may not be a very good apple tree, but it’s still an apple tree.” Continue Reading Bearing Fruit…
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