...saw it fitting to give thanks to God always for the brethren, at the church of the Thessalonians, because of how their faith had grown and the charity and love they had shown toward each other in troublesome times. In Paul‘s first letter to the Thessalonians, he preached and taught about three weeks, almost every major doctrine of the Christian faith. Although Paul’s visit to Thessalonica was short, his ministry was long enough to leave a solid foundation for a thriving church. After leaving and going to Athens, Paul leaves Timothy and Silvanus behind to help the new church by way of encouragement. The church was faced with persecution, however persecution can mean growth. God’s spirit strengthens and encourages suffering saints as they go through the difficulties of Christian life. Timothy rejoined Paul at Corinth and gave him the report on the new church. A short time afterward, Paul writes II Thessalonians and began to thank God for the tenacity of this church and it’s determination to grow in faith. Paul considered this church his friend. After hearing of the progress of this tenacious church and their growth and love toward each other, Paul couldn’t help but praise God for their accomplishment. So then, Paul realized first, a growing church is a faithful church, and that this church would go through much persecution. Therefore much encouragement would be necessary. Their faith was growing beyond all natural expectation. Faith without works is dead; the spirit of God...
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...Christian Persecution in Middle East Christian Persecution in Middle East Persecutions in the Middle East are increasing each and every day. The main target of these persecutions is the Christian community. Christians are attacked daily, without mercy, in the Middle East location and around the Middle East. Christian persecutions in the Middle East are growing drastically due to religious practices, government laws and different point of views. To start with, religious beliefs greatly affect the violent acts against innocent Christians in the Middle East. The Christian Community is persecuted mainly because of their beliefs. In Christianity, it is believed that “man has inherited "original sin" from Adam. Mankind then is inherently evil and is in need of forgiveness of sin. By given the knowledge of right and wrong Christians choose their actions” (Christianity). Basically, every time someone sins, that person has to go to God for repentance. Their faith is based on the holy trinity. “God is eternally supreme as the creator and preserver of the world. The trinity exists as three beings in one godhead: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Christianity). God is the creator of life, therefore you must submit to Him. Jesus Christ is the son of God and one must believe in Him in order to be saved. The beliefs of this religion cause disagreement and persecution between Christianity and Islam. To continue, the Islamic law has different believes and ideas. In...
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...Persecution is an unavoidable truth for Christians. Christians are different from the world. Consequently, they face judgment, hatred, and persecution. Yet, the question remains; how can Christians respond in a biblical way, towards a persecuting government. The story of Polycarp, a bishop who faced persecution from the Roman government, is a model example of a biblical response to persecution. During Polycarp’s time, the time of the early church, persecution of Christians was rampant. In that period, being a Christian usually meant torture or death. Polycarp reacted to persecution without violence or resistance. Polycarp’s response to persecution was biblical because he followed Jesus’ example, submitted to his authorities, and refused to renounce his faith. Polycarp’s reaction to persecution is an ideal and biblical model for Christians, as Polycarp is following the example of Jesus during his suffering. Christians should look to Jesus as the ideal example for everything. As Christ faced torture, ridicule, and crucifixion, he did not fight back, though he...
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...1 John 3:10-11 He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.” We must learn how to defend ourselves. Romans 8 2 types of Christians for Sunday. Our guards go down but personal options can change like the crowd into the mob. Matt. 21 Nisan 9 and Matt. 27 Nisan 14. The time was 5 days . time was calculated using dundown to sunup. Matt. 27:2,3 And, after binding him, they led him off and handed him over to Pilate the governor.3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing he had been condemned, felt remorse and turned the thirty silver pieces back to the chief priests and older men, The crowd turned into a mob. John 15:19,20 If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU. 20 Bear in mind the word I said to YOU, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute YOU also; if they have observed my word, they will observe YOURS also. 2 Timothy 3:1-5,11,12 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient...
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...commands “Honor your father and your mother” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If one follows these commands how can he hate his parents? Is it possible that Yeshua did not mean “hate” literally? And yet would interpreting it any other way be misinterpreting His words? In order to harmonize these apparent contradictions, it is necessary to investigate the early use of the word “hate.” In the twenty-first century American mindset, hate is the absolute opposite of love. (9) However, in the first-century Hebraic thought, hate is better defined as “putting in second place” or “loving less.” (4) One familiar example in which hate is used like this is Genesis 29:31. In these verses, “love less” and “hate” are used interchangeably for Jacob’s feeling towards Leah. Likewise, in Romans 9:13, the L-rd declares that He has loved Jacob, but hated Esau. Has He who wishes for none to perish really hated Esau? No, He has simply loved Jacob more as His chosen son. Similar uses of “hate” can be found in Deuteronomy 21:15 and Malachi 1:2-3. A reworded version of Luke 14:26 with this understanding in mind would sound something like Matthew 10:37: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Thus, from the Luke passage, we can conclude that Yeshua, in order to “prune” His followers, is outlining His discipleship requirements, one of which included to love Him more than anything or anyone else. Although Yeshua...
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...this essay is to provide a description of the rise of Christianity during the Roman Empire. In the early centuries, the followers of Jesus spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. It is believed that Paul constructed a church in Rome. The majority of the first Christian groups were from the east, in Egypt, there was Alexandria as well as Jerusalem and Antioch. Due to Christianity teachings of the theology of love, caring for the orphans, widows, and sick, and stance against infanticide, abortion, and adultery it gained believers among...
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...In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul's theme of biblical eschatology is "faith, love, and perseverance through persecution, which is the fruit of hope"(Antiquity pg. 287). The letters were written to the church at Thessalonica, to the brothers and sisters who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 states, "Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you." These letters reveal the truth to believers that they will experience the Tribulation or Day of the Lord. "For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2). In this scripture the words: Day of the Lord and thief in the night "stick out." This day will come suddenly, and inescapably taking men off guard because the world will be unprepared just like one would be if a thief entered their home during the night. The church questions Paul when the day of the Lord would return? Paul tells the church that the day will be unexpectedly, but "one can be prepared by living a moral life and wearing the armor of God: faith, love, and hope" (Antiquity pg. 286). "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows" (Matt. 24:36)....
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...In exodus, a new Pharaoh had come to the throne of Egypt and he had never heard of Joseph. This new Pharaoh was not at all well disposed towards Israel like the predecessors were with the Israelites. The Egyptians were scared that Israel had joined forces with the enemies of Egypt. In addition, Pharaoh needed slaves; the simplest way to solve the problem would have been let them leave the country. However, he tried to solve the problem in their own way; He forced them to work hard, building cities where supplies would be stored. They were slaves forced to manufacture. Eventually, the Pharaoh’s persecution against Israelites started. He ordered to kill all the boys’ newborns. Pharaoh said to the Hebrew midwives to kill the boys when the Israelites...
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...What does it mean, at its core, to be a human? This documentary encompasses themes such as love, war, family, and the meaning of life to uncover the true definition of a human being. The film includes a collection of powerful stories from over 2000 men and women from 60 countries, accumulated over the course of 3 years. Each of the three volumes not only tackles struggles pertinent to humans around the world, but also reveals stories unique to the individual. Subtitles with each speaker’s name and location as well as translations of their native tongues to English are blended with stunning aerial shots of landscapes across the globe to create this beautiful movie. In a nutshell, this documentary gives the viewer insights on the diversity of...
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...Immigrating to America allowed for immigrants to escape the religious persecution that was occurring in their home countries, permitting them to obtain a part of their identity which was previously not welcomed. Orthodox Jews, such as Mary Antin’s family, were persecuted in Russia at the time, and American provided a safe haven. These immigrants felt as though they had no place to call home, as they were being persecuted in their own towns, and coming to America provided them a country they could call their own. Antin writes that in Russia “it came to pass that… [her family,] did not know what [their] country could mean to a man. And as [they] had no country, so [they] had no flag to love” (Antin, 179). As Orthodox Jews were treated as non-citizens...
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...1-3; Philemon’s love and faith in verses 4-7; Paul’s appeal in 8-22; final greeting in 22-25. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back – not to mention that you owe me your very self. (Philemon 17-19) General letters: The 8 general epistles were written by other apostles and leaders including Peter, James (the half-brother of Jesus), John, and Jude. These letters were addressed to the early Christians to provide guidance,...
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...what is happening in my heart. I cannot live knowing that many suffer unjust persecutions because of me. I cannot live seeing my brothers and their numerous families persecuted like criminals. I prefer to face death and I give my life willingly free so many innocent persons from unjust persecutions know that for the moment, the future of my country gravitates in part around me; that once I am dead, may will triumph; and that consequently above all, I have duties of families who suffer and to my age parents whose sighs tugs at my heart. I know that with my death, I can make them happy and restore them to their country and the peace of their homes. I know nobody else but my parents; but my country has many more sons who can substitute me with advantage .Besides, I would like to make those who deny patriotism see that we know how to die for duty and for convictions. What matters death if one dies for the thing he loves ,for country, and for those he adores? I know that I would be the only rally point of politics in the Philippines and if I were convinced that my countrymen would utilize my services. I would have probably hesitated to take this step. But there are still others who can take my place and with advantage. Moreover, there are those who find me extra burden and will not utilize my services and force me into inaction. I have always loved my poor country and I am sure that I’ll love her to the last moment, although men are unjust to me. My future, my life, my...
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...Two very important religious men in history were Jesus Christ and the prophet Muhammed Al Amin. Both men have qualities and history to compare and contrast throughout their lives connected with their respective religions and followers. The lives of these two men took place at different times in history yet the impact they had in history is monumental. The comparisons between the two are few in relation to the men themselves but the similarities in their beliefs are closer than might appear. Jesus' life is recalled in the New Testament. According to Gospels, his mother Mary was visited by an angel announcing that Mary will give birth to the Son of God. Jesus was born in 4 CE at Galilee. His mother Mary is said to have been "A virgin when she conceived him by the Holy Spirit; her husband was Joseph, a carpenter from Bethlehem" (Fisher, 2005, p. 288). Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph by immaculate conception and from a very young age Jesus claimed to have a very different relationship with God, whom he called his Father. Jesus, which means "God Saves" (Fisher, 2005, p.288) made mention of his relationship with God at a young age. He made a journey with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover when he was a young boy of twelve years old and discussed the Torah with the rabbi's there showing his above average capacity for knowledge as a youngster and when leaving, Jesus stated aloud "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Fisher, 2005, p.289). This statement would...
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...principle. 5. Where love concentrates, there the being dwells. 6. Greed for vanity is repellent to love and treacherous to gratefulness. 7. Love from flattered vain glory ends in enmity. 8. Love that dose not nurture life and growth is witchy in character. 9. Leave not your love to lust; know it for certain---that will dwindle you with a thrashing push into the grinning hell of despair. 10. Passionate insincerity supports irrational expectant jealous love. 11. Love imparts blooming blossom and lust makes a man gloomy. 12. Love is seldom mutual but it has a magnetic pull hence love makes the Love, love with love. 13. More alive the adherence to the Ideal, more is man unshocked and unshaken. 14. Love-shock is the shock that shakes the source of vital flow! 15. Grace and Gracious favour are the outcome of unexpectant serviceable love with a tenor of thyness. 16. Gratuitous love is the leaven of heaven whereas expectant love is a siren call that drags down to devil. 17. When demands growls without any service that nurtures and blooms with applause to offer herself as a grateful gift, where treachery under the veil of sincere uprightness leads to betray, choking the heart, and when love rebounds with a grab for kisses of passionate lust, forbearance is duped, persecutory delusions haunt with shattered discontent, regard regrets there! 18. If your love does not revere one's love, your love will not be loved. 19. Love...
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...Between the years 1939 and 1945 the world went through major world changes. The historical events that reflected the play in the Diary of Anne Frank was that the world war had affected the lives of others because of the power of hitler . The Holocaust was the systematic, regulatory, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Holocaust is a word of Greek origin meaning "sacrifice by fire." The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were "racially “ and that the Jews, deemed "inferior," were an alien threat to the so-called German community. The historical events that reflected in the play the diary of Anne frank are that Anne Frank's life has impacted the lives of others because her family background, Anne's time in hiding, and what she expressed in her famous diary all have taken place in the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a German-Jewish diarist. She was known for the diary she wrote while hiding from anti-Jewish persecution in Amsterdam during World War II. Her diary describes with...
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