OPPOSITION OF GOSPEL - DO YOU CARE?

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We used to hear about persecution of Christians or opposition of the Gospel happening at the rural areas or uncivilised countries of the world, which we find it hard to relate ourselves into their situations.

Today, this fallen world has changed. It is no longer happening only in those rural areas or countries. It is happening now in Gold Coast, Australia!!

Pastor Josh Williamson from Sovereign Grace Baptist Church at Banyo and Ryan Hemelaar from Redlands Presbyterian lead an evangelism ministry (www.operation513.com ) that does street outreach on the weekends – Fridays at Surfers Paradise and Saturday Nights in the Queen St Mall respectively.

While they have a permit to do evangelism late-night in Queen St from Brisbane City Council, their Gold Coast outreach has had unfortunate confrontations with the Police who have threatened them with orders to “move on”, fines, even arrest and imprisonment for “disrupting public peace” - even though they are ministering on public property within full constitutional agreement.

Despite their being no actual reasons in Australian Law that would restrict evangelism, Gold Coast City Council has flatly refused to grant permission (written or otherwise) to people who wish to evangelize in public on the grounds that an exemption is necessary.

This has even caught the media’s attention and channel 10 ran a feature on the news last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ7S0Z7uvek

Today, if you think that, Christians who share their faith in the public is wrong - please read for yourself what it says in the Bible:

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:18-20

What if John and Peter had said, “But we cannot proselytize. It is illegal.” Would not the story of the Christian church have been changed forever? And when we as Christians say it now, are we not changing the story of the Christian church in our day? Are we allowing earthly authorities to command us to do things that they have no authority to require of us as citizens of the heavenly kingdom? Have we forgotten who is the ultimate authority?

Can I encourage you all to pray not just for other evangelistic efforts’ covering and support, but also for ourselves in our own outreach that the preaching of the gospel will not be hindered by the restrictions of man, but even when such restrictions are indeed put in place, the church will only grow stronger in power and authority.

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31