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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, February 28, 1980
Page 2
Next morning, the magistrates sent word saying to the prison keeper,
"Let those men go... But Paul said unto them, 'They have beaten us openly
uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they
thrust us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch
us out."
Paul, when he had a chance, did not
"cave
in."
He
demanded his
rights from these government officials--after GOD by a miracle had loosed
them in prison.
It was GOD'S WILL that HIS CHURCH be DEFENDED AGAINST false attacks
by the STATE! God Himself supernaturally interposed in this defense
against unjust and illegal State action. GOD'S MINISTERS and CHURCH WERE
NOT FIGHTING against or harming the State--merely DEFENDING CHURCH PRO
GRESS! It's the same today.
The above from Acts 16.
In Acts 17, Paul went to Thessalonica, and as Paul's manner was, he
went into a synagogue and three Sabbath days reasoned with the Jews out
of the Scriptures (O.T.). Paul was staying at the house of one ,Jason.
Some of the Jews believed and followed Paul. But the others were angry,
and sought out some of the lower and more violent people. They assaulted
Jason's home but did not find Paul. Then these angry Jews went to the
CIVIL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES with false charges against Paul and Silas.
Here is another case. Did Paul "cave in" and allow the CIVIL GOVERN
MENT to STOP THE WORK OF GOD'S CHURCH? NEVER! Verse 10--the brethren
secretly sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea.
GOD WILLS THAT THE WORK OF HIS CHURCH GO ON, NEVER STOPPED BY THE
CIVIL STATE!
When the angry,Church-opposing Jews at Thessalonica heard that Paul
was preaching at Berea, they themselves went to Berea to stir up the
people and the civil government to stop the Work of God. But Paul al
ready had reaped a harvest at Berea. So he left Silas and Timothy there
while he went on to Athens, then sending word for Silas and Timothy to
join him.
Satan was to continually use the civil
government
powers to oppose
God's Church. Paul had dwelt in Corinth a year and a half. Then when
one Gallio was the Deputy of Achaia [Acts 18:12], the opposing Jews had
Paul brought to Court. But here was one judge that refused to judge the
CHURCH, unless its chief Apostle had violated a law. But the unbelieving
Jews took Sosthenes, chief ruler of the synagogue WHO BELIEVED, and beat
him in Court.
Later, at Jerusalem, unbelieving Jews raised a tumult against Paul.
Finally he was seized by Roman officers and soldiers, and taken to the
palace [Acts 21:37]. Paul begged the chief officer to allow him to speak
to the people. Speaking in Hebrew, Paul said, "Men, brethren and fathers,
hear ye my defense which I make now unto you."
Paul DID NOT FIGHT AGAINST the Roman government, nor against the
Jewish people. But he DID DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST FALSE CHARGES! And