EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS
Today was exhilarating in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. The crowds were mostly back to normal. We were eager to give them the gospel. We were not disappointed. It was action from the outset.
After prayer was made for the power of the Holy Ghost in our preaching to touch the hearts of those who hear, Bro. Logan began to preach. A priest sat idly by in conversation with someone. He began to listen. He saw the Scripture signs. He listened more intently. His heart was pricked with cries of “Mono Isus sozi” (Only Jesus Saves!). The priest angrily approached Bro. Logan and began yelling at him. The preaching continued unabated. The priest then verbally attacked Bro. Angelo saying he was full of the devil. He told Angelo he would have him arrested. “How dare you come into our country with your garbage! Take your garbage and get out of our country. You are all going to hell.” The preaching continued. A crowd gathered as Angelo contended for the faith once delivered in this city by the apostle Paul. A larger crowd gathered. Shouts were raised. Some condemning us and others condemning the priest. The power of the preaching of the gospel was at work in hearts. All were responding in some way.
Angelo let the crowd know that there was only one mediator and that Jesus was the only Savior. “This priest can’t save you. He didn’t die for your sins. He can’t give you eternal life. He needs to be saved just like you.” Shouts rang out…”You can’t talk that way to a priest.” An unknown man shouts out, “They are speaking the truth. This priest is corrupt. He’s in it for the money.” The crowd grew bigger. Three fourths of the people were cursing us. A lady we vaguely remember from a month or so ago came through the crowd and grabbed Angelo’s hand, telling him to get out of there. “Don’t waste your time with the priest, just preach to the people.” Angelo began to preach in Greek. Bro. Logan was still preaching at the same time in English. Two messages going on at the same time pleading with about 40 captivated people to repent and believe the gospel. The scene was surreal.
A different man, with whom we exchanged information later, lifted up his voice and said, “These men are preaching the truth!” With tears in his eyes he began to beg the people to trust Christ. “You need to be born again.” Thank God for His children wherever they are. At the right time, God brings them out when the redeemed of the Lord must say so.
The priest made good on his threats. He went to the police. They came as the crowd dispersed. I asked if there was a problem. The officer said, “There’s no problem. We just need to see your identification. We knew it was you guys.” PRAISE GOD! Angelo and the officer spoke very friendly to one another. The only thing they instructed us to do was not to leave one of the Scripture signs propped up unattended. 🙂 We continue to have God-given liberty.
I know this report sounds too over the top. I wish you could have been here to see it. The power of the Holy Ghost in the preaching of the word of God is alive and well in 2012. May Jesus Christ be praised and pleased for the honor which is ours to represent His worthy name to a lost and dying world.
