Thomas Perry

 Thomas Perry lived in Wales in the 1600's, an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary faith.

In Wales, like in England, the Church of England (Episcopal Church) ruled, yet without truth. King Charles I sat on the throne, believed he "received [his] power from God and thus could not be deposed." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England) He waged a war against any and all who opposed this.

Thomas Perry dreamt one night of two places, one of hell and one of heaven. He wanted to go to heaven but was told he could not until he ate the bread of life. The dream impacted him and when he was able, he visited the parish church, listened to the Episcopal minister, and "became a little more moral as to his outward conduct." (History of the Welsh Baptists, p. 44)

A seemingly random meeting of an old woman on the way to a Baptist meeting brought him to hear a sermon preached on the bread of life. He spoke to the preacher, learned that the bread of life was Jesus Christ and only through Him could he go to heaven. Thomas Parry was then converted.

This preacher that led Thomas Parry to faith revealed an important truth which would later depict Thomas' life:

. . . described the tribulation that he must expect to meet with on his way there; and that it was to continue only for a short time, in comparison with that eternity to which he was hastening. (History of the Welsh Baptists, p. 44)

Thomas Parry's life exhibited boldness in the face of persecutions from both King Charles I and King Charles II.

Men of faith, like Thomas Parry, encourage me to take a stand. The prevailing wisdom of many leaders in Christendom today tell us to bend under the winds of compromise. They claim that a civilized approach to Christianity is to acknowledge others faith journeys as just as viable ways to live as that of a person who bases his salvation on faith alone.

Not true.

As Thomas Parry discovered, there is only one bread of life, there is only one way to salvation. He was warned what it would cost him to chose to partake of this bread, and he, having desired a heavenly home, accepted the cost as a momentary time of suffering.

The Apostle Paul, while writing to the Philippians from prison, said:

"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;" Philippians 1:12 (KJV)

Paul recognized that God continued to work even when he suffered. He willingly suffered so that others might be encouraged, so that the rulers of the time would have opportunity to hear, so that the Gospel of Christ would be proclaimed.

During the 17th century many suffered persecution but that did not stop the spread of Truth.

Today many scoff at those who take a stand and continue to share the one and only true Gospel message: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the redemption of man. Many who put themselves under the umbrella of Christendom place upon their followers a heavy yoke of works oriented faith and then mock those who say that salvation comes only through faith . . . not through baptism, not through the receiving of the sacraments, not based on how good you are and whether you feed the poor or work to save the environment.

How does this apply to me?

Thomas Parry was said to have "in the name of his God . . . hoisted up his banners." (History of the Welsh Baptists, p. 43) He refreshed the souls and bodies of those fellow Christians, fellow ministers of the cross, who suffered affliction for their faith.

I care not to be praised by the lofty members of Christian publishing. I don't desire to be an acclaimed novelist like the author of The Shack. There is nothing wrong with praise or acclamation, and if God chooses for this to happen, so be it.

But I would rather be recognized as someone who upheld the Gospel message, exhorted believers to stand fast in the faith, and refreshed the souls and bodies of those who "stand in the fray. "

Heretic or True Believer?

 Julia settled on the cushions beside Uncle Montanus and tucked her sandaled feet under her robe. A scowl marred her uncle's face. Of late, it seemed more present than the smiles he used to give her when she was a child. She sighed and picked at lint upon her clothing.

She had been very young when he was once the priest of the pagan cult of Cybele. She didn't remember much, but she did remember the anger. When he was saved by Christ their entire household was saved, and he zealously followed the teachings of Christ. 

Julia's mother swept into the room, a bright blue sash wrapped around her cream tunic and bangles tinkled upon her wrists. The scent of lavender drifting into the room with her. "Montanus, please do not brood so." Julia's mother settled on the cushions on the other side of her brother. "The village of Pepuza is safe, as is Arclabau. You are here to ensure it is so."

"All of Phrygia rolls with the false doctrines." He groused, yet took his sister's hand and patted it, warm affection apparent in his eyes. "Those who seek to grip our church in false doctrines, in lies…" he slashed his hand in front of him, "Cannot my people see that to believe these is to condemn one to eternal death?"

A servant girl came in carrying a tray of grapes and olives. She set it before Uncle Montanus, nodded and backed out of the room. Julia sighed again. "Uncle, can we thank the Lord for our food and eat. I am starved."

He scowled at her, though the corner of his mouth tilted up. "Let us pray then." He took her hand and Mother's then began, "Oh Gracious Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit all one, thank you for providing our needs, for saving our souls, and for giving us life. May we serve You as faithfully as You have protected and provided for us. In Your Son's Holy Name we ask this."

He picked up the tray and handed it first to Mother and then to Julia before helping himself to a cluster of grapes.

"How can I impress upon my people the need to have faith for salvation. They'd rather have the act of baptism. Why can they not see that only by grace are we saved, through faith, as the Apostle Paul taught us? Why do they add to it by saying one must be baptized to be saved?" He tossed a grape into his mouth, chewed, swallowed and tossed the rest of the cluster on the tray. "I speak and say thus, then someone who deems himself greater than I, who has somehow fooled the people into believing he has the authority of God even as an apostle, contradicts me, and poof! The person is condemned to damnation."

"Really, Uncle. Do you think that is true? Do you really think that of Flavius Justinus," Julia paused, her mind running over the men she'd seen her uncle argue with. "And what of Hermas? Is he really teaching false doctrines?"

Uncle Montanus whipped around at her, his face as red as a fireball. "Justin Martyr demands baptism for the washing away of sin. Nothing but the blood of Christ can do this." He tilted his head, then patted her hand as though to apologize for his anger. "Flavius travels in a philosopher's robe, not in robes of righteousness. He thinks of Christianity only in terms of philosophy, not in terms of a personal relationship with our Lord God. How can he even be taken seriously when he has no faith, just philosophy? How can saving faith come from the work of baptism he promotes? It is a ritual, not a surrendering of all to our Lord and Savior."

Julia frowned. She did understand this. Did not the Apostle Paul warn of this in his letter to the Colossians? Did he not say, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."? 

Mother shook her head. "Montanus, I'm not sure that Flavius believes a person is only saved by baptism."

Uncle jumped to his feet and pointed a finger at Mother. "That is what he wishes you to think, to doubt." 

Julia stood as well, but she didn't know why, just felt the stress of the moment, the fear of the anger of her uncle. She never wanted to see him upset. But he was so passionate, so quick to insist on truth.

"And even if you choose not these men to confront," Uncle Montanus began to pace, "Even the apostle John warned of antichrists amongst us. There are those that present God as unreachable, and Christ as an emanated being. Don't get me started on those that believe that evil must be overcome by indulging it! What foolishness!"

He stopped and his cheek twitched. "Ritualism." He spat the word out as though it were a poor tasting fruit. "Not to mention these men who believe only certain chosen ones can teach. That is not at all what the Scriptures say. And it feels at times that the Holy Spirit has left us, there is such a great lack of...of..." he shook his finger in the air, "Spirituality." He growled and then moaned as though he were mourning a great loss. "I choose to be a mortal enemy to philosophy and religion. Only in Christ, do I stand."

Mother reached for Uncle's robe. "Calm down, Brother. We do not have the power to change the hearts of men. That is the work of the Holy Spirit." She tugged on his robe, and he turned to her. "Please, come sit. We'll pray. Yes, there are many enemies of the true Gospel. But let's not become as them in our behavior. Please." She patted the cushion beside her. "Come sit again. We will call on those who believe as we do to pray and fast and spread the truth through the preaching of the true Gospel."

Julia took a deep breath. Her uncle nodded to the gentle urgings of Mother. He'd settle, but he was much burdened.

The Apostle Paul warned, that was true, but it was up to them, to the church, to hold to the truth. "Yes, Uncle. Send out messengers, and let's bring our church together for prayer and fasting. I am sure Maximilia and Priscilla will help." The two prominent women were great supports of Uncle. "You have already begun a great work, and the Holy Spirit has brought you great success."

He shook his head. "It is the least of what I can do. I must do more." He pulled Mother and Julia to their feet. "Come, we'll call the believers together and fast and pray." He paused, as though deep in thought. Then with a thrust of his fist in the air, he said, "We must fast and pray or we'll lose this battle. God be with us. Oh, Holy Spirit, lead us." He waved his hands and marched to the door. "Come! Come! We must hurry."

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Montanus was a leader of a group of believers in Asia Minor who resisted the teachings of many who drifted from the original teachings of the Apostles. He was and continues to be reproached as a heretic, even though he fought for baptism only by immersion, purity of communion, holiness of life, church discipline, trinitarian theology, the complete Word of God, and premillennial eschatology. Charges have been brought against him by those who claim Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran views on early church history. According to some historians, these charges cannot be proved.

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Bibliography:

Hammett, Doug. The History of Baptists. Emmaus, Pa, Challenge Press, 2004.

Jarrel, W.A. Baptist Church Perpetuity. Dallas, Texas, The Baptist Standard Bearer Inc., 1894.

Foundational Beliefs

Consider the churches at the time the last apostle dies. The believers know what these men of God taught them. They received foundational truths. Truth Paul told Timothy the church was to be the pillar and ground of (I Timothy 3:15). The men who knew the apostles continued to teach this truth. But as time passes, others begin to come up with their own ideas. Their own explanations and traditions. Soon, only a few are left who determine not to bend to influences outside and inside the church. These few become known as radicals, purists, or even heretics.

But is it heretical to stand on the truths the apostles taught, even if others begin to design twists to these truths?

Let's explore groups of people that came out of the first century with certain foundational doctrines. These people maintained these beliefs from the time of Christ's ascension until today. 

Often, these people hid themselves from the rulers, and as a result, there are times when very little is written about them, and they seem to have disappeared (though that isn’t true). In some places their faith lineage is reasonably clear (for example in Wales), and in some places, not so much. They’ve been called a variety of names, usually as slurs or as ways of identifying specific leaders. But their foundational beliefs remain the same.

Here are the foundational doctrines of these believers faith^1:

1. Salvation (new birth) comes only through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Founder, Savior, and Head of the churches.
2. The Holy Spirit comes to a believer at the time of new birth (faith)--this is known as the "regeneration of the believer" by the Holy Spirit and the word of God. 
3. Baptism is done by submersion to people old enough to understand the conviction of sin and to make a profession of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only means to salvation (and rejected baptism at any age as a means of salvation). Often included with this statement, is the Lord's Supper. Both (referred to as 'ordinances') are to be perpetual and a memorial to the saved of Christ's saving work done for us. 
4. All believers are considered equal in the eyes of God, and all have the ability to gain knowledge from Scripture under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. There is no hierarchy within the church.
5. The canon of Scripture is the final authority on God and on all of life (note, in the first couple of centuries after Christ, this canon relied on the Jewish Canon of the Old Testament and the epistles and Gospels that were well received amongst the churches—this will be a discussion for another day).
6. The separation of Church and State. The government should not run the church and the church should not run the government. This last one is most clearly defined when Dr. Clarke petitioned for an experiment of freedom of conscience (of religion) by the British parliament for the Rhode Island charter in 1644. However, the actions and words of the people groups who stood on the preceding five foundational beliefs strongly suggests they believed this as well.

As I researched church history, I found different historians would have slight variations to these core beliefs or add a 'mark' common to these local assemblies of believers that I haven't, but I believe the main doctrines are expressed above.

The disciples (also known as the apostles) held to these beliefs during the first century. At another time, we'll explore the Biblical foundation for these teachings.

Toward the end of the first century, the apostles warned of false doctrines, or errors, creeping into the churches. Paul warns the leaders of Ephesus this in Acts 20:17-38, and he warns Timothy and Titus in their epistles. Peter warned in his epistles, as does John and Jude. We read of different apostasies arising in the churches in John's writing of the Revelation of Christ (chapter 3), and some of these took hold.

By the second century, some people found it easier to believe baptism washed away their sins than to attribute this to Christ's blood. This seemed to be the beginning of a major shift in Christianity.

However, a remnant remained faithful to the above foundational doctrines. Those who chose to believe differently established their own universal church. Some of the remnant, while adhering to the foundational truths listed above, would have extreme applications of faith that one might call 'legalistic' or false teachings because of the emphasis they placed on them. However, I do think studying the circumstances they lived in helps to see why they embraced these applications of Scripture as strongly as they did. Over time, I will take a closer look at these. For now, I've listed the groups.

In the second century A.D., these people were known as:

• Montanists. Led by Montanus beginning150-156 A.D. They believed that a person should be re-baptized if at first the person did not come to Christ by faith alone and thus receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). "Thus termed, "Anabaptist"' (Schaff, History of the Christian Church, II., 429 as quoted in “Baptist History”, p.12). This group continued for centuries and spread even to France (then known as Gaul).
• Welsh Believers. They were not given a specific name, but some historians record that Claudia (Acts 28:30; II Timothy 4:21) from Wales met the Apostle Paul in Rome, was saved, and returned to Wales. Of course, many Welshmen became Roman soldiers and also believed. (Fox's Acts and Monuments, p. 137.; Dr. Gill and Matthew Henry on II Timothy 4:21. Godwin's Catalogue; Crosby's History of the English Baptists, preface to vol 2.; Dr. Heylim's Cosmography, lib. 1, p. 257 as quoted in  The History of the Welsh Baptists). This group continues to present day, though the trail is difficult to follow due to the great persecutions they underwent. The first began when Austin came from Rome and attempted to convince the Welsh to enforce infant baptism in the 600's. Many refused and were put to death while others submitted (Davis, "History of the Welsh Baptists", p. 14-15)
• South India Believers. These claim the Apostle Thomas brought the Gospel to this region. Not a lot is known about this group.

In the third century A.D., the Roman Catholic Church began to form and force upon believers doctrines contrary to the aforementioned foundational beliefs. The concept of the "Universal Church" developed in the third century, and the term "catholic' was used. The following groups (along with those mentioned above) held firm to the foundational doctrines. These people were called:

• The Novantians. Resulted from a split in the church at Rome during a period of persecution. Note, that the Roman Catholic Church had not officially formed at this time. The Novantians were also called anabaptists for re-baptizing those who came from the churches that believed baptism saved. They survived until the 6th or 7th century, though some believe they continued up to the Reformation Period.
• The Donatists. Came from Numidia forming from the church of Carthage, North Africa because some people surrendered the 'sacred books' to be burned during Diocletia's persecution (303-311 A.D.) and they opposed this. They were called anabaptists.

In the fourth century A.D., groups that resisted the changes that the Roman Church pressed for included those mentioned above as well as:

• Paulicans
• Cathary
• Albagencies
• Bogamils
• and several others

In the fifth century A.D.: some historians will claim the origin of the above groups began in this century, while others note they existed long before this. For example, Gregory Magistos, A.D. 1058, wrote that the Paulicans had long been disconnected by the church (Terry, "Baptist History", p.19).

As time progressed, more groups continued to oppose the Catholic church, many of these groups were extensions of the groups mentioned above. A historian in the thirteen century wrote (from the perspective of opposition to anabaptists):
 

"The heresy of the Paulicians and Cathari, another religious faction, had at that time considerable prevalence, which under the various names of Cathari, for Catharists, Puritans, Gazari, Patereni, Paulicians or Publicans, Bulgari or Bugari was more particularly charged with Manichaean opinions. The origin of these heretics has been the subject of much controversy, for while some suppose these errors to have been indigenous in Europe, there are others who derive them in a direct line from the very heart of Asia." (Wadington's Ch. Hist., p. 286)

Nothing is ever easy, is it? History shows us that God’s hand is involved in people’s lives. Often people reject or believe something based on how they perceive history.

And truth be told, we all pick and choose what to believe based on what feels right to us.

I, personally, believe that God has kept a remnant of believers throughout all the centuries who believe these foundational doctrines, even when the rulers of the time rose up against them, even killing some.

I get some peace in knowing that what I believe has been guarded and remained steadfast since Christ’s life here on earth. 

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1. References for this article:

Asher, Louis Franklin. John Clarke (1609-1676). Arkansas: The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc.

Carroll, J.M. The Trail of Blood. Lecture series.

Davis, Joanthan. 1835. History of Welsh Baptists. Pittsburgh: D. M. Hogan. Reprinted by Forgotten Books, 2012.

Foxe, John. 1563. Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Pantianos Classics.

Grady, William P. 1993. Final Authority. Indiana: Grady Publications.

Hammett, Doug. 2004. The History of Baptists. Pennsylvania: Challenge Press.

Holliday, J. M. 1974. The Baptist Heritage. Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas: Bogard Press.

Jarrel, W.A. 1894. Baptist Church Perpetuity. Dallas, Texas, reprinted Arkansas: The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc. 

Shaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church, Vol I. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1899. As quoted in Baptist History.

Terrey, Dr. Robert J. 1984. Baptist History.  

Recent History: Is It Ushering in the Coming Age?

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea there is no God; I know not any.” Isaiah 44:8

When going through some old writing I did over a decade ago, I discovered the upsets and insecurities about the future we face today, we also faced back then. The details may be different, but the theme and the characters are the same.

Almost every year, I read through the Bible. In general, the reading at the beginning of the year starts at the beginning of time, in Genesis. Like a farmer sows in anticipation of a great harvest, so I dove into God's Word and the new year expecting great outcomes. Come the fall, I'm usually reading the prophets. Amazing to me is how those prophets reflect a harvest of the works of Israel. A harvest that is a disaster. It causes me to reflect on the year and consider my fruitfulness. Am I having a great harvest?

These last couple of years have been shocking, to say the least. Our world, as we know it, has been turned upside down. Rarely does a morning pass these last few weeks when I didn't close my Bible after reading and studying, and marvel at how applicable the words of the prophets are to our current world events. And I sit in awe at the God Who is in control.

The course of the world has already been laid out. However, we do not know or understand the details of that course. We guess, make assumptions, and try to predict, but the bottom line is we do not know the details. 

There are some facts we do know. We know that whatever happens, the Middle East will be the center of action. We know that the world as we know it will come to an end. We know that there will be a great war and the Son of God will prevail against the forces of evil. We also know that only those who are counted as the children of God, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and have accepted Him as their personal Savior, will one day rule with Him. We know at the end of time, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment where the unsaved is judged, and those who rejected Christ as their Lord and Savior will suffer in a place designated for Satan and his angels. 

When President Bush declared war on the terrorists that attacked our country on September 11, 2001, did he know he was engaging a spiritual enemy? I'm pretty certain our current president doesn't comprehend the spiritual warfare going on right now. If he did, I would hope that he wouldn't have left in Afghanistan American citizens who will be martyred for their faith. If our current president was aware of eternity and Who created this universe, surely he’d not support the Woke community and some of the policies that are clearly reflecting a nation in rebellion to the Creator of all, the Lord of Lords, the Great I AM.

But our president doesn't understand that, and I believe most if not all of his advisors don't understand that either.

Unfortunately, our perception of reality is only what we can physically see, and we choose not to look at the spiritual world. This present world, what we see, hear, feel, touch with our physical bodies, will come to an end. What lasts forever is the spiritual. I put to you, therefore, that the spiritual realm, and what goes on there, is of greater import, than the physical, and thus has a greater effect on 'reality'. 

We tend to look at world events and our lives from a limited 'here and now' perspective. I'm not sure that is the wisest outlook. 

You cannot look at history and not see God's influence. I know, I have a very western perspective, but I think if you look closely, with a mind to see God's hand, you'd see that God even influenced the east as well. He positioned leaders and sent missionaries who influenced the outcome of nations. 

Because of these facts, I did not envy President Bush's position. He had locked horns with those who are directly opposed the true God, the true Messiah, and had presented themselves as the enemy of the people who will one day reign with Christ. Because he had done so, he had also aroused other enemies of Christ who do not wear the title of Muslim or Islam; Palestinian or Arab. He had inadvertently stirred the hearts of those who are unwilling to embrace the One True God, His holiness, His design, and His righteous judgments. Some claim to be Christians but fail the test of a true Christian; some blatantly oppose Christianity, and some are just down right confused. 

What Bush had led the United States into was a Spiritual War, being fought on the physical level. Unfortunately, many fail to understand this, and most fail to consider how important it may or may not be for the future of this world. Now, more than ever before, the born-again believers of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, must pray, must study, and must take a stand for Truth and for the Gospel.

I hear a lot of doom and gloom prophets today. I doubt most of them are looking at what they ‘foresee’ from the lens of Scripture. However, time will tell whether what ahead of us is just a repeat of history or whether God is issuing in a new era known as the Great Tribulation. 

While speculating can be an interesting exercise, the result should lead to an urgency to tell others that they need Christ, to stand up for what is right no matter the cost, to realize that we do not need to fear what man will do to us because we know what the end will be.

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” I Peter 3:14-15

Short Story: Arnoldo

 Arnoldo

“They gain their wealth at the hands of the poor!” the bald man dressed in a monk’s habit shouted from a wooden crate in the main street of Brescia. “The Romish Church has no right to own property.”

With one voice, the crowd revealed their reverence of him, but Theresa stood by the door of her father’s blacksmith shop pondering his sanity. Did not this man realize he was inciting his own death?

Her fist tightened around the scroll handed to her by the monk’s disciple. She was playing the fool now. Would she be killed for bearing a message?

“He studied in France,” a passerby whispered as he bumped Theresa’s shoulder.

She draped her scarf over her head and across her face.

“He claims the Church does not have the right to rule as a kingdom,” another whispered in return.

Theresa ducked under a farmer’s canopy and slipped past another.

“The sacraments the Church practices are not as written in Scripture!” The man, lifted a book in his hand. “Convert and be baptized again!”

“Arnoldo!” Theresa hissed as she drew up behind him. “I have a message.”

The monk stepped down from the crate and pulled on his beard. “What is it?”

“A message.” Theresa pressed the scroll into his hand. “You must leave. The count-bishop is preparing his coaches. He plans to take you to the Pope.”

The clop-clop of prancing hooves on cobblestone and the anxious neighing of high-strung horses rose above the crowd’s murmurs. Arnoldo looked across the market. “I see you are right. That is his impressive vehicle now, is it not?”

“Yes. Please, come with me.” Theresa turned and lifted her skirts. “I know a way to the Alps where he will not dare follow . . . not in a coach.”

“But to run . . .”

“To run is to save your life and perhaps give you opportunity to share the truth with many more.”

Her words seemed to convince him for he grabbed her elbow and waved her on. They weaved through the merchant canopies that lined the street. These hovered over her as a net sent by Satan to capture them. She pressed her hand against her throbbing chest and ducked under another tent.

“There he runs!” The count-bishop barked.

“Down here.” Theresa gestured to a stairwell.

“Follow them!” Pounding boots drew close. The monk breathed heavily at her side as he maneuvered the crumbling steps.

“We’ve not far.” She gripped his elbow and led him down a dark corridor. For years her family had used this passage to escape the attacks of the Lombards on their city. Now, Lord willing, it would provide a way of escape for Arnoldo.

Footsteps echoed against the stone walls, riding on the cool of the passage. Theresa shivered and urged the monk forward to what appeared to be a dead end.

“We’ve nowhere to go.” He panted.

She ran her hand along the wall until she felt the familiar star-shaped stone and pressed it. A quiet creaking announced the slow movement of the wall. Earthy air slipped through and surrounded them. She pushed the monk into the black corridor and glanced back before following him.

The bishop’s men had not yet reached the head of the corridor. She tugged on a heavy cord and the wall moved back into place. If God be with them, the men would not see the wall move.

“It’s so dark.”

“Ssh.” She grabbed the monk’s hand and lifted her other hand to the cold wall beside her. Sliding her foot to the edge of the wall, she inched along it.

For a hundred feet she shuffled, holding Arnoldo’s hand with her left and running her right along the wall. Around a turn and a light the size of a pinhead shone at the end. “You’ll need to get on your hands and knees. The ceiling lowers before we reach the exit.”

A whiff of onion and body odor floated by as the rough wool of the monk’s garb rubbed against her hand. She bent down beside him. “Grab my foot, and I’ll guide you.”

They crawled one after the other for several feet while the light grew until blue sky could be seen through a hole the size of a bear’s waist.

The monk’s heavy breathing echoed through the narrow passageway.

Theresa clenched her teeth and glanced back. Lord willing, he would make it.

The grit of the floor pressed into Theresa’s hands, and her knees bled against her skirt. She held her breath as she peered out through the hole. If the things went as planned, her brother, Joseph, would be waiting with horses.

“Pst!”

She turned and saw her brother holding two bays. “The bishop’s men have come through the city gates. We must hurry.”

Theresa pointed to the scroll in the monk’s hand. “That is a letter of introduction. My father has a friend in Zurich with whom you will stay. My brother will take you as far as the Liechenstein. There you will be given further directions.”

“God be with you.” The monk bowed his head to her.

“And you.”

Shouts rode upon the wind.

“The guards are coming.” Joseph helped the monk onto the smaller bay. “Theresa, go back.”

She dove into the hole and held her breath as she listened to the thunder of horses’ hooves fade. God of mercy, help them. Keep them safe.

The sun began to set before Theresa made her way back down the dark tunnel. By the time she left the corridors, darkness had engulfed the town of Brescia. She stepped out into the street, pulling her hood over her head and around her face.

“Theresa!” a man hissed.

She rushed to the voice. “Father.”

He took her hands and pulled her into a dark building. “Did he get away? Did Joseph make it?”

“Yes.”

He nodded and looked across the alley. “He was Brescia’s hope, you know.” He ran his hand through his thinning hair. “Heaven beheld Italia’s tears and sent us Arnoldo. God be praised.”

“Jacob.”

Theresa slipped behind her father. She didn’t recognize the voice. Who could it be?

“Eugenius, what is the word?” Her father drew his arm around her and placed her beside him. “This is my daughter. She led Arnoldo to Joseph.”

The tall man with dark robes and a hood that hid his face nodded to her. “My pigeon brought word they made it to Liechenstein.” He rested a hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “They’re safe and Joseph will return in the morrow.”

Theresa felt her father’s arm relax, though her own body trembled with fatigue.

“God be praised,” her father replied and led her to a chair.

Tears rolled down her face as she sat. God had spared them. By God’s grace, Arnoldo would continue to speak of the freedom found in Christ. Perhaps she had not been such a fool to help him after all.
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Arnoldo continued to preach the True Gospel of the free gift of salvation. He later returned to Rome, convincing many of their freedom, but when he retired to Tuscany, he was seized. Taken to Rome, he was condemned by the Pope who had him crucified and burned, and his ashes thrown into the Tiber.

While it may appear as though the clergy won, Arnoldo’s followers continued his message of preaching the True Gospel of Christ. Unlike those clergy who did not believe that one is saved by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Arnoldo now finds his rest in Heaven, with other martyrs of the faith.
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Food for Thought

1. How does one get saved? Read Romans 10:9-13.
2. Does the Bible warn us of those who teach false doctrine? Read Paul's epistle to the Galatians; I Timothy 4:1-5; II Timothy 3:1-9; II Peter 2.
3. If you lived in a time and a place where you could be killed for sharing God's true Gospel, would you have the courage to do so? Read Philippians 1.

Kinsman Redeemer

 "And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich." Ruth 3:10

Boaz took a deep breath and smiled at the rising sun. Who would have thought when Naomi returned from Moab she'd bring with her a most virtuous woman from the Moabites? But Boaz was not a young man. He did not expect anything more than to bless Elimelech's family. Elimelech may not have been...Boaz frowned. Well, Elimelech may not have been the most astute in business, but he was a kind man and did choose wisely when he married Naomi. 

Turning to the gate, Boaz shook his head. How had the Lord blessed him, that Ruth would have favored him over his brother. He was a more settled man than his brother. Not the man of valor, valiant and strong, as the closer kinsmen was. He pulled on his beard. Not as handsome either. 

There, the man who had every right to claim Ruth drew nigh. Boaz rose his hand to him. "Ho, such a one!" 

His kinsman smiled as though life were nothing but a jolly. 

"Turn aside, sit down here." Boaz motioned him into the gate. He then caught the eye of ten elders milling about, no doubt wondering why Boaz had ventured in today. "Sit, you men, down here."

Joseph and Ephraim nodded to him before lowering themselves to the ground. Hezron grunted before following them, as did Pharez and Amminadab. The others followed, like the sheep they were. 

Boaz cleared his throat and looked at his brother. "Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, sells a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's." And shaped his face into a bored expression, though his heart told him his words would determine the future of his life. "And I thought to advertise you, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people." He turned his back to his brother and casually through his hand in the air. "If you will redeem it, redeem it." He turned on his heel and glanced at the man. "But...if you will not redeem it," he shrugged, "then tell me that I may know, for there is none to redeem beside you." He turned away and tilted his head to the side. "And I am after you."

Of course his brother would grin. Since youth, he was impetuous. "I will redeem it." He spoke with just a bit too much enthusiasm.

"Hmm." Boaz tapped his lips with his finger. "What day you buy the field of the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."

His brother's eyes widened to twice their size, and his back stiffened. He pushed off from the ground and threw his hands in the air. "I cannot redeem it for myself lest I mar mine own inheritance." Yes, that was what Boaz thought. His brother had eyes on another wife to have sons with and would not want to entangle their inheritance. Greed had always been his main motivation in life. His brother smiled and stuck his hand toward Boaz. "Redeem you my right to yourself, for I cannot redeem it." 

Boaz' smile spread wide across his face. Indeed this was good day to be among the living and among the blessed of the Lord.

Boaz is a picture of Christ, our Redeemer. And I think, his brother (whether truly his brother or merely a kinsman, we don't know) is the 'hero' we often run to when we are in trouble. We're visual people and tend to seek comfort and the physical presence of someone. When we are in the midst of the argument, we want the favor of one we deem worthy of our respect. When failure occurs, we seek the comforting words of someone who might build us up again. Every time we seek someone else to fill our need, and not seek God, we are seeking the man who like the kinsman Boaz spoke with, the man least likely to help us. 

Boaz already demonstrated he would be both provider and protector to Ruth. He already demonstrated he respected her and held her in esteem. These are all elements of the love Christ has for us. Simply because Boaz had already taken these actions and attitudes toward Ruth, he proved himself a more worthy redeemer than his kinsman. So Christ does for us over any human.

People will disappoint. They will more often choose to care for their own needs, their own family needs, than another's. People are inherently selfish and greedy (greedy of course is an element of selfishness). Even the best of friends will fail another.

But Christ never fails. We might not be as faithful as Him, but He is always ready to be faithful to us, if we but lay at His feet and ask Him to cover us. He redeemed us for the price of our sins (which is death) by the death He paid on the cross (where we should have hung). To Him be glory and honor and power forever more.

"And I wept much, because no man was found worthy...And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,...Thou are worthy...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation:" Revelations 5:4,6,9