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Faith Fellowship Church…PO Box 1586…Broken Arrow, OK 74013…918-451-0270…Pastor Terry Dashner
the world through
Jewish race. Israel was groomed by God, at times severely (dispersion, gentile rule, and etc.), in order to accomplish His purpose of delivering world through Israel’s Messiah. Jesus Christ lived in Israel during time of Roman occupation---gentile rule. Because of His humble roots, not all Jews believed He was their Messiah. He didn’t fit part. The Jews were looking for a political ruler that would lead them against Romans and establish God’s Kingdom, once and for all, on face of earth. When Jesus died on cross Jews were justified in their belief. Jesus was no Messiah, or so they thought. Seventy years later, Israel was crushed under foot of Rome and Jews were scattered through out world once again (Jesus had predicted this). The Jews would not reclaim Palestine, their ancient lands, until 1948.
When Christianity was in its infancy, it was considered just another sect of Hebrew religion. It carried out same philosophies as Jews, preached from same scriptures (Old Testament) as Jews, and centered in same capital as Jews—Jerusalem. It wasn’t until Jerusalem was destroyed by Romans in 70 AD that Christianity stood as a separate and distinct religion from Jews in eyes of Rome. Also, at this time church, still relatively small, was persecuted relentlessly by Rome as an unlawful religious sect. Notwithstanding plight of Christians by Rome, Christians continued to elevate human life as sacred, just as Jews had done before them. That was not case for pagan Romans.
Rome cheapened life. Rome began its decline morally during last days of Republic and continued decline throughout Pax Romana. Contentment was replaced by greed. People looked to government to supply free grain and public amusements. Family life disintegrated, divorce and immorality abounded, and superstition increased. Once backbone of Rome, a hard-working patriotic citizen was now hard to find. The Roman father had right to accept or reject birth of his children. The life of a divorced woman was terrible. She ranked with cattle of field. Infanticide was rampant. By third century, mighty Rome was over run with barbarians. The Roman Empire was no longer. Christianity was lifted to prominence with Edict of Constantine. It became official religion of Roman Empire when capital of Rome was moved from west to east. Christianity did much to restore morality and lift sanctity of human life to a higher place in state. Unfortunately, church went through a decline during years that followed and was sometimes culprit in lowering sanctity of life immorality of priesthood, dark ages, misappropriation of scriptural truths, and Crusades).
“The Dawning of a New Day”
To be continued…
God Bless America!
Pastor Terry Dashner, Faith Fellowship Church, Broken Arrow, OK 74013
writes daily devotions
