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| − | {{quote | text={{Bible verse|John|15|18|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|John|15|19|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|John|15|20|lang=WEB}} [[John 15]]:18-20}}
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| − | {{Infobox_Contents |
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| − | topic_name = The Persecuted Church|
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| − | subtopics = [[Persecution of the early church]], [[Apostle Stephen]]
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| − | * [[Persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages]]
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| − | * [[Persecution of Christians around the world today]], [[Open Doors]], [[World Watch List]] - {{world_watch_list}}
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| − | * [[Persecution by Christians]]
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| − | * [[Take up your cross]] |
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| − | opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
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| − | }}
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| − | Since the time of [[Jesus]], many Christians have experienced persecution from both non-Christians and from other Christians during the history of Christianity. Persecution has included confiscation of destruction, imprisonment, torture and even execution. Today, some of the worst persecution of Christians occurs in [[Islamic]] countries such a [[Saudi Arabia]] where Christians who openly profess their faith risk death.
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| − | Jesus himself is the ultimate example of persecution. He told his disciples that if people persecuted him, they would also persecute his disciples. In the early church, persecution, even to death, was common. Today, in much of the world, although there is freedom of religion, Christians are stilled hated, and in some places, killed for their faith.
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| − | ===[[Persecution of Christians around the world today]]===
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| − | Each year the organisation [[Open Doors]] compiles a list of the countries where severe persecution of Christians occurs. For the last four years, communist [[North Korea]] has been the worse offended, closely followed by Islamic Saudi Arabia, [[Iran]], [[Somalia]] and the [[Maldives]]. Its [[2007 AD|2007]] list of the ten countries where persecution of Christians is worst is as follows
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| − | # [[North Korea]]
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| − | # [[Saudi Arabia]]
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| − | # [[Iran]]
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| − | # [[Somalia]]
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| − | # [[Maldives]]
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| − | # [[Yemen]]
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| − | # [[Bhutan]]
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| − | # [[Vietnam]]
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| − | # [[Laos]]
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| − | # [[Afghanistan]]
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| − | ===History of persecution of Christians===
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| − | Persecution of Christians has occurred sporadically from the time of Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples, and by implication, Christians through the ages, that they would face persecution.
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| − | ====[[Persecution of the early church]]====
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| − | For about 250 years after the death of Jesus there was almost a constant threat of persecution against the church. Christians suffered from persecutions for various reasons, including their refusal to worship the Roman emperor, considered treasonous and punishable by execution. There were persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan and the other Antonines, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius. Many Christians were willing to die for their faith. The first martyr known of was the [[apostle Stephen]] who was stoned by the Jewish religious leaders - the story is told in [[Acts 7]].
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| − | ====[[Persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages]]====
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| − | ====Persecution post-Reformation====
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| − | ===[[Persecution by Christians]]===
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| − | ==Quotes==
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| − | ==Links==
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| − | ===General===
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| − | * [http://sb.od.org/index.php?supp_page=wwl_2006&supp_lang=en&PHPSESSID=38ef2868be7376ae496d3e49f2e1d2d4 Open Doors World Watch Persecution List]
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| − | ===New articles===
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| − | * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7015033.stm BBC - Eritrean Christians tell of torture]
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| − | {{returnto}} [[Mission]] | [[Places]]
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| − | [[Category:Mission]]
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