In the 2000 years of church history many generations of Christians were persecuted for their faith. The early church is a clear example. Christians in the Reformation period and Christians presently living in Africa, the Middle-East, and Asia were likewise persecuted. The church, however, did not disappear because of persecution. On the contrary the spread of the Christian faith gained greater impetus. History has shown that God did not forsake His people during suffering. Instead, He gave them added strength to bear testimony for Him. The apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3 encouraged Christians undergoing persecution that “‘the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Pet 3:12-16).

When were the dark ages in church history? They were not in times of persecution but when Christians were neither hot nor cold, when they did not regard as important God’s Word, and when they followed the ways of the world. This was the plight of the church during the Middle Ages. The present church situation in Europe is another instance. Such a type of church will not face persecution from the world because she has made compromises with the world in biblical matters and have become friends with the world. These churches are still preaching the gospel, but their gospel is not about Jesus saving our souls from sin and punishment due to sin. Their gospel is about success in the world, wealth, and health. They flaunt human wisdom, regard the Bible as outdated, impractical, or not progressing with science. More worrying is the fact that churches in Singapore are also heading in this direction. Such an influence is worse than the injury that persecution inflicts on the church. We must be vigilant for ourselves and the church. Our knowledge of the Bible must not stagnate at the level of new Christians. Instead we need to grow deeper in faith. As Paul says, we need to grow “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:13-14).

The next Lord’s Day is Reformation Sunday. We commemorate God raising up His faithful servant 500 years ago to save a corrupt church. Reformation does not mean a new invention. Rather, it requires removing all things from the church that violate biblical teachings, and reinstating and practising a faith that is Bible centred. Had it not been for such a reformation of faith, you and I could possibly be still out of the salvation that the gospel brings. Reformation is an important event of the church history. The brothers and sisters from the English Cell group will present to us an exhibition of the biographies and life of several persons in the Reformation period. Let us learn from the lives of these giants of the faith so that we obtain wisdom and avoid repeating the past mistakes of the church.