And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest. Acts 9:1
The high priest? Why would a high priest be handing out permission slips for harrassing and murdering Christians? What business was it of the high priest who were disciples of the Lord, and what gave him the authority to have them threatened and slaughtered? Not much has changed since this man doled out his death sentences!
We know that Joseph Caiaphas was the high priest at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; in fact he was very likely the ringleader in the plot to get rid of Jesus. He was no friend of Christ, nor would he have been any friend of His followers. It is not certain whether it was Caiaphas to whom Saul went for his authority for his persecution trip to Damascus, but if it was not him it was one of his brothers-in-law, sons of Annas. And Annas was just as opposed to Jesus as was Caiaphas. All of these men would have gladly seen to the extermination of what they perceived to be a danger to their religion and position. The Christians had made a dramatic impact on the religious life of Jerusalem, and had drawn away many devout Jews to be disciples of Jesus. So, to the high priests, the persecution and death of any and all Christians was justified. Since their time, many have taken the same view. And are taking it today.
Down through history, persecution of Christians has rarely slacked off. From the butchery of Roman emperors as Nero and Diocletian to the repression and extermination of small companies of Christians by the popes of medieval Roman Catholicism, untold numbers of saints have been threatened and slaughtered. The high priests of their day, the popes brooked no opposition or dissention, and were as cruel as any Annas or Caiaphas. Did you ever wonder why the history books tell so little of the slaughter of Christians by the popes’ minions during the middle ages? The answer lies in the identity of those who kept the records and wrote the history books during that period – more of the popes’ minions. But all of that threatening and slaughter is behind us now, is it not? It is not.
You won’t hear any threatenings and slaughter from the current pope. Not directly. But the charisma and folksy manner of Francis hides a bosom of hatred for those who stand opposed to his organization. Frances has declared that no one can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ apart from the mediation of his church, and he declares that all who believe otherwise are dangerous and delusional. In addition to the RCs, the Muslims have doctrines that would exterminate or subjugate all who would name the Name of Christ. Also, a very real movement is afoot in Canada to abolish the Bible from public view and sale – a movement led by the homosexual community whose sins the Bible condemns. A community widely embraced (pun intended) by most so-called Christian denominations.
Threatenings and slaughter are nothing new to Christians. Pray that we may escape and that those who don’t are strengthened. -Jim MacIntosh