Notes of Faith February 25, 2025
A Million New Believers
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
Last year, pastor Farshid Fathi spoke about the growth of the church in Iran. Fathi spent years in Iranian prisons for his faith. Now he serves in Turkey among the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living there. He estimates there are more than a million new believers in Iran despite severe restrictions on them. “Persecution is not the end of the story, but part of it,” said Fathi. “The greatest demonstration of love we can make is to be willing to go through suffering.”1
The Christians in Jesus’ day were persecuted because of the difference in their lives. When we live for Christ, we will sometimes be reviled and persecuted. Even in the West, increasing pressures are falling on those holding a biblical worldview. But we must never be intimidated. Should persecution come, God will give us the grace to uphold the cross of Jesus Christ with joy.
It’s time to speak up for Christ and for our Gospel story. Abide in Him, knowing you will be blessed, even if opposed.
I pray regularly that God would soften the hearts of Iran’s leaders to see the gospel for what it is: good news, not a threat.
Farshid Fathi
Acts 5:17-25
17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. 22 But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, "We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside." 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
This has not happened in the United States, yet…although the time is likely coming when we could be arrested for speaking the truth of the gospel. Let us stand firm in faith and do the will of God, knowing that we will be rewarded for pleasing God, not men, in all things!
There are some, even in my close friends who do not like those belonging to the Muslim faith. I do not like their choice, nor the practice of their faith, and yet God has spoken that He will bring people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into His family. It is our duty to pray for all to come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may not be eternally damned, but saved and a brother or sister in Christ! Praise God for His gift of salvation through His gift of faith in the obedient Son of God who gave Himself that ALL who believe in Him might be saved!
Pastor Dale