The Calvary Bible Fellowship of N.Z. has given permission for an Australian DiplomaCourse
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.APPENDIX:
(Endtime Ministries acknowledges the work prepared by
Jan
Pit for the Bible Study:
“Persecution: It will never happen here?”).
CHAPTER ONE ...
IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN HERE?
Christians are persecuted in many countries. There is such a strong move now to have a One World Unity of religions that we cannot be unaware of the problems we face. These united people in Lucifer’s master Plan are saying there is One God, but that all religions worship the same One God! This is not true, there are both false gods as well as the One True God of the Bible. The “god” of this world is actually Satan! (Matthew 4:8-10).
We might think we will never suffer persecution for our faith here in Australia, this is hiding our heads in the sand. We should be prepared by God for anything that may come in the future.
Christians can say: "God has always protected us. He will continue to
do so in the future." Yes, God will protect us:
IF we comply with His conditions!
1. How did the people react to Noah's message? (Matt. 24:37-39)
2. What did Peter say when Jesus told them that He would suffer and die soon? (Matt. 16 :21-22)
3. How did Jesus react to this? (Matt. 16 :23)
4. What did Jesus say on another occasion about His coming suffering? (Matt. 26:31 )
5. How did Peter react? (Matt. 26:33-35)
6. What happened when this actually took place? (Matt. 26: 69-75)
7. Why did Peter deny his faith?
8. Was the situation unique in the case of Peter or can you quote other examples where people were faced with the same choice?
10. What does Heb. 11:1 say about this?
11. Peter had to learn this in his own life with Jesus. Give an example of when this happened. (Matt. 14:29-31)
12.By allowing himself to be led by circumstances, Lot made the wrong choice.
13. What happened unexpectedly to the rich man in the parable told
by Jesus? (Luke 12:16-21)
14. What promise does God give to those who live for Him and serve Him? (Amos 3:7)
15. What does the Lord say we must do in times of disaster and forthcoming
persecution? (Luke 21 :28)
CHAPTER TWO ...
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF PERSECUTION
Persecution of Christians is not altogether unknown to us. We know what it is to have others ridicule us for our fundamental Bible-based faith. We know what it is to be excluded because we will not follow false teachers and counterfeit prophets.
It could get far worse than those minor persecutions. Persecution is because of our faith, and should not be considered in the light of defeat, but victory.
"Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. . ." (Luke 6:22,23)
Persecution because of our faith in Christ is a characteristic of true discipleship. There should always be victory in Christ through tribulation.
True Christians are able to say with Paul: "Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ" and "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us" (Romans 8 :31-39).
1. According to John 15:18-21, what is the reason for Christian
persecution?
2. How are the disciples strengthened by Paul and Barnabas?
(Acts 14:22)
3. Against whom is the persecution actually directed? (Acts 9:4,5)
4. According to 2 Tim. 3:12, is persecution:
6. What does Jesus expect from us in Matt. 16 :24?
7. What does Jesus promise to those who are prepared to be persecuted? (Matt. t:10-12)
8. God's promises are almost always preceded by a condition, e.g. Rev. 3 :20, "If (condition) anyone hears my voice, and opens the door. . .I will come in to him (promise) and eat with him, and he with Me." Name a similar text. (John 14:27).
9.Which condition precedes the promise God gave to Israel in Deut. 11:22?
10.When can we depend on God's promises for:
11.What should our attitude be towards those who persecute us?
12. What were Peter and John's reactions when they were beaten for
their faith?(Acts 5:41)
13. What was the content of the disciples' prayer when they were persecuted?(Acts 4:27-31)
14. What type of suffering is mentioned in Romans 8:35-39?
15. What does the Bible say about victory in Rom. 8:31-39?
16. Although strife and persecution will increase, victory is a certainty. Why?(Ephesians 1:3-5).
17. What must each Christian do to be able to overcome personally? (Eph. 6:10-18)
18. Which part of the armor is lacking most in your own personal life?
19. In which way would you like to bring about a change?
20. In Rev. 12 :22, three ways to overcome Satan are mentioned. What
are they?
CHAPTER THREE ....
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PERSECUTION
The Holy Spirit is the source of strength in times of persecution. Without Him no Christian can stand. Christians who have experienced persecution testify to the absolute necessity of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We must learn all about being filled with the Spirit right now, in preparation for what lies ahead in our lives. We want Him to guide us and empower us NOW. In times of persecution the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. He does not prevent all problems which might come our way, but gives strength despite the problems, so that we may endure.
1. Why did God send the Holy Spirit?
2. What will the Holy Spirit do for us, especially during times
of persecution?
3. We read about the fruits of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22.
Which fruit of the Spirit do you think you would require during times
of persecution? Why?
4. Can persecution impede the work of the Holy Spirit? (John 3:8)
5. Does persecution always come unexpectedly or does the Holy Spirit prepare us?(Acts 20:22-23)
6. What is God's commandment to His children regarding the Holy Spirit? (Eph. 5:18)
7. The Holy Spirit gives to the church. Which gifts are described in Romans 12:6-8?
8. Which other gifts are named in 1 Cor.12:8-10?
9. If persecution comes, and the Bible is a forbidden book, and there
is no one to lead the services,
on whom can we depend then?
10. Paul says in 2 Cor.12:13 that we are all baptized into One Body.
What should our attitude be towards those who suffer for their faith? (1
Cor.12 :26)
CHAPTER FOUR...
THE BIBLE AND THE SUFFERING CHURCH
The Bible is a forbidden book in many countries; millions of Christians don't possess one. yet the Holy Spirit guides them into all truth (John 16:13). God requires us to read and memorize His Word while there is still freedom. Bible memorization is not only important during times of need and persecution, but also during times of prosperity and freedom.
We should learn to memorize the Word of God NOW. It will bring great blessing, growth and victory, while it will be invaluable in times when the Bible is no longer available.
"I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps.119:11).
Sin keeps us from the Bible, but the Bible keeps us away from sin.
By writing the Word on the tablets of your heart, you can always use
it, even though the Bible is taken away.
1. How is God's Word described in Psalm 119:105?
2. With what is the Word of God compared in Eph.6:17?
3. How does Heb. 4:12 summarize God's Word?
Test your Bible knowledge:
4. In Psalm 119:11 we read an important reason for Bible memorization. What is the reason?
5. Complete this sentence: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By ." (Psalm 119:9)
6. What claim do we have in regard to prayer if we memorize God's word? (John 15:7 )
7. If we have God's Word in us, what will the result be? (Ps. 37 :30,31 )
8. How did Jesus overcome the devil in Matt. 4:4,7,10?
9. What warning does the prophet Hosea give those who forget God's Word? (Hosea 4:6)
10. Why did Paul praise the Christians of Berea? (Acts 17:11)
11. How do we learn to know God? (Prov. 2:1-5)
12. What provision has God made to enable us to understand the Bible? (John 16:13)
13. Complete the following text from Ps. 1:1 and 2: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners; nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but……” Commit it to memory.
14. If one fulfills the condition in Ps. 1:2, what will the result be? (Ps. 1:3)
15. What is Paul's advice in Col. 3:16?
16. Do you plan to spend more time in God’s wonderful Word? If not,
why not?
CHAPTER FIVE...
THE CHILD AND PERSECUTION
"Give us the children until their twelfth year, then you can have them," say the communists. The state schools in our country are filled with New Age political propaganda and occult beliefs!
If in the first twelve years of life the youth are indoctrinated with atheistic and New Age propaganda, after twelve years of this type of "upbringing," they will have been vastly influenced. They will fit in very well with the New World government and the coming antichrist system.
A lot of attention is given to the child in the Bible. "Suffer the children
to come unto me," were Jesus' own words. Do we as parents give our youth
preference in a Christian sense?
If persecution comes, then the children are especially the victims
of the New World.
1. Can children believe in Jesus? (Matt. 18:6)
2. How important are children to Jesus? (Matt. 18:1-4)
3. What was the command God gave to the Israelites concerning children? (Deut. 6:6,7)
4.Some people are of the opinion that we should not influence our children but allow them to "develop freely." What does Prov 22:6 say about it?
5 What are we to tell our children, according to Psalm 78:3,4?
6- How do you apply this in your family life?
7- Why is it so important that we should tell our children about the Gospel? (Psalm 78:7,8)
8- When did Samuel begin to serve the Lord? (1 Sam. 1:22,
2:11,18,26)
9- When did Timothy's spiritual education begin? (2 Tim. 3:
14,15)
10. Persecution started at an early stage in Jesus' life. By whom and how? l Matt. 2:16)
11.
"Church for Sale." This often happens in our materialistic Western world. Due to a lack of interest, some churches have to close. Prosperity has become a formidable enemy of Jesus Christ. Churches can preach this “prosperity” out of greed. Many have had to leave church denominations because of the New Age indoctrination and false teachings. This does not mean the True Church has disappeared. It can meet in homes as the early Church did.
1. What other name is the Church of Christ known by? (1 Cor. 12:27, Eph. 1:23)
2. What are the believers called by Peter in 1 Peter 2 :9,10?
3. What ministries did Christ give to the church? (Eph. 4:11)
4. For what purpose? (Eph. 4:12)
5. How will the body grow and be joined together? I Eph. 4: 15,16)
6. Does the future of the church depend on the presence of a church building? Compare 1 Peter 2:5 and 2 Cor. 3:16.
7. What does Heb. 10:24,25 say about the coming together of
the church?
8. Where did the churches of Priscilla and Aquila come together? (Rom. 16: 5)
9. Was this an exception or did it happen at other places?
Compare Acts 12:12, Col. 4:15 and Philemon verse 2.
10. Name the advantages and disadvantages of house churches.
11. Where did Paul preach and teach?
CHAPTER SEVEN...
SPIRITUAL OR CAPABLE LEADERS
The church of Christ has a tremendous need for spiritual leaders. . . people who are called by God to serve Him. This not only applies to ministers, but to all Christians, who are involved in the local church in one way or another.
If God calls people, He is not interested in whether they have a title
or not, nor if they have a position of leadership in the world. He looks
for people who know that they cannot serve Him in their own strength, but
only in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord wants spiritual leaders. These are the people we need today!
1. What requirements does Peter propose in Acts 6:3 for the appointment of spiritual leaders?
2. Is eloquence and intellectual ability an absolute requirement for leaders? (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
3. Why is it so important that spiritual leaders should be aware of their own weakness? Compare 1 Cor. 2:5 with Isa. 42:8.
4. How was the church of Sardis known? (Rev. 3:1)
5. What did the church of Laodicea think of herself? (Rev. 3:17)
6. What did Christ think about this church? (Rev. 3:17b)
7.Why did the Lord bless the church of Philadelphia? (Rev. 3:7,8)
8. The church of Smyrna was poor and weak. How does the Lord encourage this suffering church? (Rev. 2:8,10)
9. Do spiritual leaders also experience times of doubt and discouragement,
or are they always victorious? Compare John 1:29 with Luke 7:19-23.
CHAPTER EIGHT...
CHRISTIANS PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS
We read in Matt. 24:10 that Christians will persecute and hate one another
in the end times. "And then many will fall away, and betray one another,
and hate one another."
A terrifying thought, and it is happening already in some countries.
Today there is strife and discord in many churches because of false
teachers. Could we see these kinds of “Christians” turning True Christians
over to the New World authorities in days to come? Christians who want
to obey the Lord unconditionally will be picked upon especially, no doubt.
The truth is, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will
be persecuted"
(2 Tim. 3:12). In the aforementioned verse, Paul mentions from whom
the persecution can also come: those who hold the form of religion but
deny the power of it (2 Tim. 3:5).
Yet Paul is still able to say: "What persecutions I endured, yet from
them all the Lord rescued me" (2 Tim. 3:11).
Whoever wants to be a true disciple of Christ will be persecuted, but in the battle he can expect deliverance and blessings from the Lord.
1. Where are we warned that persecution does not necessarily come from outside, but from believers? (Act 20:29,30)
2 What does Matt. 24:10 say about this?
3 Who were, according to Stephen, the murderers of Christ? (Acts 7:51,52)
4. What is the reason for division and persecution? (1 Cor. 3 :3,4)
5. Differences can sometimes lead to discord and division. Describe this in connection with Acts 15:36-40. Discord and division comes from those who deny the Word of God, not from those who expose false teachers who deny the Word.
6. What was Paul's attitude toward John Mark later on? (2 Tim. 4:11)
7. What did Christ pray for in respect to His church? (John 17 :21)
8. What advice did Paul give the church in Philippi to foster unity? (Phil. 2:2-5)
9. Unity in the Spirit of God is very important. We have seen so much division because of false teachers and doctrine, exposing this in the Lord, that we may have neglected true unity in the Truth!!! And the encouragement of the Lord for workers who are standing fast for God!!!
10. On what basis is true unity available? Read 1 Cor. 12:13 and
Eph. 4:1-6.
CHAPTER NINE...
THE CHURCH THAT CANNOT BE DESTROYED
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing,
Our helper He, amid the flood,
Of mortal ills prevailing;
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
1. There are three things in the Kingdom of God which can never
be destroyed. What are they?
2. What does 2 Cor. 4:16-18 say about the church of Christ and the
Suffering Church?
3. If we are oppressed or threatened we need never be concerned. Why not?
4. What has Christ done with the enemy of the church, the devil?
(Col. 2:15)
5. What is the ultimate future of the church of Jesus Christ?
(1 Thess. 4:13-17)
6. How does God deal with those who rebel against Him? (Psalm 2:4-6)
7. Although we may rejoice in the victory over all powers of darkness
(Luke 10:19), Christ speaks of something which should fill us with more
joy. What is it? (Luke 10:20)
CHAPTER TEN...
SPECTATORS OR PARTICIPANTS?
The Lord wants us to be actively involved in His Word. . .not as spectators, but as participants. Many Christians complain that they receive so little blessing from the church services or from true servants of the Lord Jesus, but they never do anything themselves! Although many are honest in their criticism, there are others who complain without lifting a finger to help in the great task of the True Church and its witness in this world. The result of this is: They receive so little because they give so little - because they are not involved, they are only spectators.
"A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be
watered"
(Prov. 11:25). The Bible study in this chapter is about the participants.
1. What were Jesus' last words on earth? (Acts 1:8)
2. For how long is the command to evangelize the world valid? (Matt. 24:14)
3. Was this commission given only to the disciples or to other Christians also?
4. What did Paul do after his conversion? (Acts 9:20)
5. How can we, according to Rev. 12:11, overcome the devil?
6 Witnessing for Christ is not done by word alone. This can also be
conveyed by our attitude.
What does Matt. 5:13-16 say about this?
7. What does the Lord expect from us in John 4:35-38?
8. How can we overcome the world? (1 John 5:4)
9.What does Christ promise when we acknowledge Him before men? (Matt. 10:32,33)
10. When last did you speak to someone about Christ?
CHAPTER ELEVEN...
A SPIRITUAL BATTLE-A SPIRITUAL VICTORY
Because the church of Christ is involved in a spiritual battle, the victory will also be a spiritual victory. Although "flesh and blood" will also attack the Christians, behind it are the powers of darkness. Our battle is actually against these evil powers.
Satan uses atheistic ideologies, New Age religious beliefs, discord between Christians, materialism and worldliness, and much more to achieve his aims. The True Church ought to know his plans and strategy. Only then can we stand and overcome.
The battle against Satan can be fought from the victory Christ Himself obtained: "He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them" (Col. 2:15).
1. How do we know that our battle is a spiritual one? (Eph .6 :12)
2. Victory in the battle is already a fact which Christ has achieved. What does Col.2:15 say?
3. What authority did Christ give to His church? (Luke 10:19)
4. Paul describes the spiritual armor in Eph. 6:12-17. Of what does the armor consist?
5. There are two "weapons of offense." What are they? (Eph. 6:17-18)
6. Exodus 17:8-16 speaks of the victory of Joshua against the
Amalekites. Yet the actual battle took place on a spiritual plane.
Where do we see this?
7. Because our battle is a spiritual one, the victory is reached in the unseen world. We do not have to be present at the scene of battle, as we see in Exodus 17:11. Describe it in your own words .
8.What spiritual lesson can we learn from the fact that Moses received help from Aaron and Hur? (Exod. 17:12)
9. We say that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Which words does John 12:24 use to describe this?
10.What does James 5:16 say about prayer?
11.Yet James 1:6 lays down a condition. What is it?
12. Why are many prayers not heard? (James 4:3)
13. Elijah experienced many wonderful answers to prayer. Yet James describes him in a manner by which we can all be encouraged. Read James 5:17a.
14. Can you give examples out of your own life of battle and victory?
Name a few.
CHAPTER TWELVE...
BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS
We still live freely in Australia, in a sense. This may not reImages so in the future. Are you willing to help bear the burdens of others who suffer for Christ Jesus? Many suffer terribly for Christ Jesus in our world right now! We can pray for them, even though we do not know their plight. Be prepared to be an answer to people’s problems, not a part of the problem!
1. What was the reaction of Nehemiah when he heard of the need of God's people in Jerusalem? (Nehemiah 1:4)
2. What was his greatest desire? (Neh. 2:4,5)
3. When Nehemiah tried to help he found much opposition. What was his answer? (Neh. 2:20)
4. What command did Nehemiah give to the Israelites with regard to those who were less fortunate? (Neh. 8:10)
5. In Prov. 11:24 and 25 we read about the fruits of generosity. What are they?
6. What does Paul expect from us in Philippians 2:4?
(Endtime Ministries acknowledges the work prepared by
Jan Pit for the Bible Study: “Persecution: It will never happen here?”).
Next ...Prophecy3
Endtime Ministries...Christian Resource Centre
Editor of Despatch W. B. Howard
despatch@mail.cth.com.au
http://www.despatch.cth.com.au
