Preach the Gospel and Get Shot

 

Arizona religious pastor shot in the head in Glendale
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Christian Persecution Reported (By Fox News) Hans Schmidt was standing on the corner spreading the Good News, when suddenly he was shot, He fell to the ground and had a bullet wound to his head. He was taken to the hospital and later moved to the intensive care unit. His father said he was in a “delicate” condition and needed a miracle. Hans Schmidt, a 26-year-old outreach director at Victory Chapel First Phoenix Church in Glendale, Arizona. He was shot on November 15, 2023, while he was standing on the corner of 51st Avenue and Peoria Avenue, promoting a church service. 

(Watch the news Video Here) 

Hans is currently on life support, and fluid is being taken out of his head to reduce the pressure on the brain. According to USA Today, multiple witnesses reportedly have information related to everything that happened.

The police have offered a $10,000.00 reward. They have released a surveillance video of the incident, which showed Schmidt standing at the street corner and then falling forward. No one else seemed to notice or react to what happened. The police said they did not know how Schmidt was shot or if the shooter was in a car or on foot. They also did not know if Schmidt was targeted or if it was a random act of violence.

How to protect ourselves from Christian persecution here in America

Christian persecution is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States stands with the persecuted and recognizes our shared humanity and collective commitment to the right of freedom of religion or belief. However, it is important to note that the situation of Christians in America is not comparable to the situation of Christians in many other countries, where they face violence, imprisonment, torture, or death for their beliefs. For example, in Afghanistan, the Taliban are hunting down Christian leaders and threatening them with dire consequences. In Vietnam, Christians are harassed, discriminated, and arrested by the authorities for practicing their faith.

Therefore, while it is understandable to be concerned about the challenges that Christians face in America, such as intolerance, criticism, or ridicule, it is also important to be aware of the privileges and protections that they enjoy under the law. The best way to stop Christian persecution in America and elsewhere is to promote religious freedom, tolerance, and respect for all people, regardless of their beliefs. Some possible strategies for doing this are:

 - Educating yourself and others about the value and importance of religious freedom, and the rights and responsibilities that come with it⁵.

- Supporting organizations that advocate for religious freedom and provide assistance to persecuted Christians around the world, such as Open Doors USA, Aid to the Church in Need, or the Religious Freedom Institute.

- Engaging in dialogue and cooperation with people of different faiths or no faith and learning from their perspectives and experiences.

- Praying for the persecuted, the persecutors, and the peacemakers, and asking God to grant them wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Biblical Reference:

The Bible has a lot to say about Christian persecution. It is a reality that many Christians' face because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Here are some of the main points that the Bible teaches about Christian persecution:

- Christian persecution is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening since the time of Jesus and his apostles, who were also persecuted for their message (see Acts 7:52; 8:1; 9:1-2; 12:1-2; 13:50; 14:19-20; 16:16-24). The book of Revelation also prophesies that Christians will face severe persecution in the end times (see Revelation 2:10; 3:9-10).

- Christian persecution is not always physical or violent. It can also include verbal abuse, social ostracism, false accusations, legal harassment, and spiritual oppression. The apostle Paul warned that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" and that "the love of the world is passing away" (1 Timothy 6:10). He also said that "the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh" (Galatians 5:17). These are some ways that Christians can be persecuted for their faith.

- Christian persecution is not always personal or individual. It can also affect whole communities or groups of believers who share a common testimony or mission. For example, in Acts 8, we read how Philip was arrested and imprisoned for preaching in Samaria, but he was miraculously released by an angel who told him to go back to Samaria and continue his ministry. In Acts 13, we read how Paul and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch by the Jewish leaders who stirred up trouble against them because they preached about Jesus as the Messiah.

- Christian persecution is not always hopeless or meaningless. It can also be an opportunity for growth, maturity, and witness. The Bible shows us how some Christians responded to persecution with courage, faithfulness, joy, and love. For example:

     - Jesus endured mockery, torture, and crucifixion for our sake (see Matthew 27).

    - Paul endured beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, stoning's, and hardships for

      our sake (see Acts 16:22-24; Philippians 1:12-14; Colossians 4:13).

    - Stephen endured false accusations and stoning for our sake (see Acts 7).

    - Peter endured imprisonment and threats for our sake (see Acts 4).

    - Paul encouraged Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus

      (see 2 Timothy 2:3).

 The Bible also teaches us how we should respond to persecution with wisdom, grace, and power. Some practical suggestions are:

    - Pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).

    - Rejoice when we are persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:10-12).

    - Bless those who persecute us (Romans 12:14).

    - Remember that God is with us and will deliver us from evil (Romans 8:31-39).

    - Follow the example of Jesus who suffered for us but rose again (Romans 6:4).

(1) 10 Key Bible Verses on Persecution | Crossway Articles. https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-key-bible-verses-on-persecution/.

(2) The Top Bible Verses about Persecution in Scripture - Bible Study Tools. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-persecution/.

(3) What Is Christian Persecution? by Tom Ascol - Ligonier Ministries. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-christian-persecution/.

(4) How should a Christian respond to persecution? - GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-persecution.html.

(5) Bible Verses about Persecution - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Persecution/.

 

Persecution Resources:

(1) Standing Against Religious Persecution - United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/standing-against-religious-persecution/.

(2) Are American Christians on the path to severe persecution for their faith. https://religionnews.com/2022/09/19/are-american-christians-on-the-path-to-severe-persecution-for-their-faith/.

(3) Strategies for Dealing with the Persecution of Christians. https://juicyecumenism.com/2017/05/16/strategies-dealing-persecution-christians/.

(4) Human Rights Education as the Solution to Religious Persecution. https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/11/human-rights-education-solution-religious-persecution.