By Thomas M.Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

Stephen is described in the Book of Acts in simple but profound terms:

“Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” He boldly proclaimed the Gospel to all who would listen.

Skeptics came to argue against him, but none could defeat him.

Finally, in boiling anger the Jews dragged him before the Sanhedrin,

the religious court of the Jewish people.

Throughout the accusations brought against him, Stephen

remained calm, his face shining like that of an angel.

Stephen answered all their charges and confidently showed

how the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures, pointed to

Jesus and declared Him to be the Messiah. It was

more than the religious Jews could stand.

They covered their ears, screamed at him, and eventually stoned him to

death.

Stephen was only following the example of his master.

Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two men

traveling on the road to Damascus. When they expressed confusion

about what had happened to Jesus on the cross, “beginning

at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them

in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

The Lord never expects you to follow Him blindly.

He gives you the light of His Word as evidence for faith.

Faith doesn’t make anything happen,

faith rests on something that has happened!

My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

By Brad Dacus

President, Pacific Justice Institute

I was greatly encouraged today by the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding public prayer in Town of Greece, NY v. Galloway. This is an important decision that will have a positive impact on our work in a number of ways.

The case concerned invocations offered before the start of city council meetings in a suburb of Rochester, New York. As they have done all over the country, anti-religious activists filed suit, claiming the prayers were unconstitutional because they were predominantly (although not exclusively) Christian, and many were offered in Jesus’ name. This is the same type of battle we have fought on many occasions here in California.

In a 5-4 decision, with the majority opinion authored by Justice Kennedy, the Supreme Court resoundingly rejected the claims made by these plaintiffs and upheld prayers before council meetings. This decision specifically rejected the notion that feeling offended was the same as being coerced (a claim we’ve heard in many cases that PJI has defended). The Court also disagreed with those who for many years have insisted that only the most generic prayers, without the name of Jesus, are appropriate.

The good news doesn’t stop there! In today’s ruling, the Court sent a clear signal that it was not interested in listening to other atheist complaints about the Pledge of Allegiance, inauguration prayer, or other time-honored traditions. (You may remember that PJI successfully defended Dr. Rick Warren and Dr. Joseph Lowery, Jr. a few years ago when their inauguration prayers were challenged by atheist Michael Newdow).

Friends, this is some of the best news we’ve had in awhile, and it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate. There are many other good takeaways from today’s ruling, and our legal team is closely analyzing each aspect of this decision. Of course, we know that those who are determined to destroy our nation’s religious heritage are plotting their next move. Already, anticipating a loss in this case, they have begun attempting other legal strategies to attack public prayer. We are preparing to meet these challenges head-on, and I hope you will join us in our efforts.

Since today’s decision overrules prior bad precedent in California, we want to make sure that pastors and local elected officials have the most accurate information (which you and I know they won’t get from the mainstream media). Please help us spread the word by making sure that your church and local leaders are connected to PJI and are getting the best legal analysis that promotes and protects our religious freedoms. Feel free to forward this e-mail to any such leaders who would benefit from it. Our attorneys would be happy to discuss in more depth this important victory with any pastor or elected official.

Running the Race …

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin. D.D.

Sadhu Sundar Singh was born into an Indian family of high caste.

When he became a Christian and told his parents of his decision

to follow Christ, they said, “You have broken caste. You cannot

live here any longer.” They immediately banished him from their home.

It was the wet season and the rain was coming down hard as he

left his home, clad in only his insubstantial Indian robes. He sat

under a nearby tree all night, soaked to the skin. He said that he

felt so radiantly happy, however, that he forgot any physical

discomfort. He had the freedom to travel throughout the region

telling the Gospel story.

He became known as the apostle of India. Once, he went into

Tibet, where he was arrested, put into a pit, and branded with irons.

He bore those scars the rest of his life. While speaking in England

he said, “I am going back to do what I have done. I am quite aware

of the cost.” Some time after his return, he disappeared and appears

to have suffered a martyr’s death.

Singh moved from “high caste” in India into a “servant’s caste” for

the gospel. His position in Christ was not only marked by the privilege

of eternal life, but by the responsibility to serve others and share

Christ’s love.

Rank does not confer privilege nor give

power. It imposes responsibility.

“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall

much be required; and of him to whom men entrust

much, they will require and demand all the more.”

Luke 12:48