As we recently celebrated America’s Independence, we are reminded of the freedoms we all enjoy in this great nation. One of the most wonderful freedoms we are blessed with in America is that we can worship the Lord freely and openly, without fear of physical persecution. The Book of Acts speaks of many different persecutions that the church of the first century endured. Studying through these examples of persecution shows the great blessing of freedom we have in America today.
Several times throughout the Book of Acts, disciples of Christ were arrested and placed in jail for proclaiming the truth. In Acts 5:17-18 the apostles are arrested; however, during the night the angel of the Lord released them from the prison. When the apostles are confronted by those who arrested them, the Bible states: “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
In Acts chapters six through seven, the Bible speaks of a disciple named Stephen, who in Acts 6:5 is described as, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” Throughout the seventh chapter of Acts Stephen boldly proclaims God’s Word to the crowd. The crowd was so angered by his teaching that they stone him to death.
I am so thankful that Christians are able to worship and to proclaim the truth without the worry of being physically persecuted. In Acts 12:1-4 the Bible states: “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.”
Christians should always be thankful to the Lord for the blessing of freedom in America, and they should always pray for this blessing of freedom to continue. As First Timothy 2:1-2 states, Christians should also pray for our leaders, that they lead us in a way pleasing to the Lord: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”