Engagement with Hostile Cultures

Christianity’s engagement with hostile cultures is nothing new beginning with Jesus whose engagement with hostility in culture led to his crucifixion.  This hostility continued with Stephen’s stoning.  However, in each instance, the hostility towards Christians occurred with those committing the atrocities believing their actions would end Christianity, but only served to facilitate Christianity’s advancement.  The belief that nothing can prevent the spread of the Gospel message, including threats from hostile cultures means the message can move forward despite these threats. 

Jesus confrontation with hostility in culture originated with the religious leaders of His time who should have recognized who He was.  Instead their eyes were blinded to the truth that Jesus was their Messiah, someone they should worship instead of having nailed to a cross (Isaiah 6:9; Luke 8:10).  However, before we heap condemnation on the High Priest, the offering up for sacrifice by the High Priest is needed for fulfillment of the law regarding the Sin Offering (Leviticus 4).  However, since human sacrifice is forbidden by Jewish law (Leviticus 20:1), God arranges for the ungodly Roman Government to carry out the murder. 

The hope of the religious leaders and Satan himself was that the death of Jesus would end Christianity, returning things to how they used to be.  However, what appeared to bring destruction only brought abundance to the movement with Jesus resurrection from the dead three days later (John 10:10).  However, those living through hostile religious persecution today will most likely not resurrect from the dead so would their death, if it occurred, make a contribution to advancement of the Kingdom of God?  The answer to this question lies in what happened with Stephen in Acts 6-7.

Stephen was one of the seven selected to serve the church, relieving the Apostles of responsibility for routine ministerial duties so the Apostles could devote themselves to study, preaching of the Word of God, and prayer.  The Spirit of God residing in Stephen results in performance of great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).  Like the opposition of Jews to Jesus ministry, this results in opposition to Stephen and his capture and presentation for trial before the Sanhedrin. 

However, once again, what the enemy intended as detrimental to the advancement of the Gospel, opens the door to even greater expansion of the Gospel message.  This is because one of the people present at the stoning was a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58).  With Saul’s approval of Stephen’s murder, the church dispersed and scattered due to great persecution breaking out against the church with Saul its ringleader. 

However, God was not done with Saul for on one of his journeys to Damascus to seize any believers in the Synagogues he had an encounter with Jesus (Acts 9:1-19).  While Stephen did not physically raise from the dead after his stoning, his stoning placed young Saul in a position for an encounter with God on the road to Damascus that would establish churches throughout the known world at that time.  Saul’s conversion also led to the writing of much of what is now the New Testament. 

These two biblical accounts should encourage those living for Christ in hostile cultures today by,

1)      Showing their persecution has some greater purpose – While Jesus as God in the flesh knew he would suffer rejection and crucifixion, Stephen did not and yet boldly presented the Gospel message to a hostile audience.  Stephen had no reason to believe His death would facilitate the spreading of the Gospel and writing of much of New Testament scripture, he stood boldly in faith.  My hope is that persecution does not result in anyone’s death but should that occur, I believe it occurs with some greater purpose in mind.

2)      Showing no persecution, even crucifixion of Jesus, can stop the advancement of the Gospel – Logically the death of Jesus should have stopped the movement looking at the fact most of those following Him, abandoned him after his arrest (Matthew 26:31).  However, this logic died with the resurrection of Jesus after His death.  Stephen’s stoning scattered the church but this led to the sending of many missionaries throughout the world and the conversion of the Apostle Paul.    

3)      Showing death is not the end but ushers us into God’s presence while impacting others on earth towards acceptance of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8) – Death is not something feared by believers in Christ for it is not the end but the beginning of a new and glorious chapter in our lives.  However, this does not mean Christians are on some sort of suicide pact for they also desire living a long and prosperous life serving as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).  The examples of the deaths of Jesus and Stephen demonstrate how even the death of the Godly for their faith leaves a lasting positive impact that changes lives. 

I urge everyone reading this to join me in praying for the persecuted church around the globe.  Next Wednesday we will look at church engagement with spiritually dead cultures.  Please invite your friends by sending this link through email or social media to friends.  May God bless everyone reading this post.