Crossing over China’s Evangelism Laws
May 14, 2008 by spiritualcourage
The world has a spotlight on China these days. The heightened activity surrounding the Olympics, the 7.8 earthquake which shook the lives of thousands in the southwestern Sichuan province, and China’s crackdown on Christians spreading the Gospel have all led to an ever growing debate. Should we or shouldn’t we preach the Gospel in a place where media will automatically be drawn, thousands of fans will attend, and millions of people will be watching from their homes? Or should the witness be discrete, one on one, face to face in the love of Christ?
Going to a house church in China is considered participating in an “illegal religious practice.” Authorities in China continually raid and detain house church members; they confiscate Bibles, hymnals, and Bible study materials.
Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors, was called by God to go against laws like these starting in the 1950’s. The scripture given him was “awake and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death.” (Rev 3:2) [side note: Brother Andrew just turned 80 years old on May 11th! Send him a belated bday card at happybirthday@odusa.org] The Chinese government has tried to restrict Christian worship & practices to the state controlled church known as the “Three Self Peoples Movement (TSPM).” They have reported, as late as 2005, that the number of Christians in China is 14 - 16 million. Ministries that work with Chinese Christians report there are at least 80 - 100 million Christians. So, the majority of the Christians in China have chosen to “go underground” rather than belong to the TSPM, whose elders and leaders are communist party members.
God has commanded us to go and make disciples around the world…
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:19 - 20 (NIV)
So — should we or shouldn’t we preach the Gospel during the Beijing Olympics, even though it’s “illegal”?
Greetings spiritualcourage and thanks for the post.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to do everything I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:19 - 20 (NIV)
Your use of the scripture is both wise and true. Some how we can go and hear this preached and resign ourselves to the fact that it does not apply to us because He was talking to His disciples, never considering what a disciple (learner:pupil) is.
Here in lies the disconnect; when an individual trust in the finished work of Christ he is saved. But in the first epistle of Peter the individual that is born again is exhorted to desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby. If an individual is not feeding upon the word of God and learning not only what Christ did for us, but more importantly, how we should live and die for him, rest assured, we will not be willing to be that light He desires His church to be.
In America, the church is apathetic of such commitment for her Lord and His gospel. Especially if it pushes the witness beyond the boundaries of the law, so we use obedience to the law as our apathetic defense.
Another concern is whether the average congregant understands enough of His word and truly has come to the realization of what Christ has done in bringing in our salvation. If the individual doubts the truth of God’s word, the individual will no doubt question their ability to speak this testimony.
You couple both of the above mentioned with the fact that you will suffer for the cause of Christ if you speak in His name, well, that’s enough. We keep our mouths shut.
I read a quote where Brother Andrew said that….
“the world is open to the gospel, if one is not afraid to die..”
I think most would agree in America, that this is acceptable reading in monthly missionary magazines. Uncomfortable preaching from pulpits, and unacceptable living for the religious palate.
malachi