Thursday, July 19, 2007

Cambodia limits proselytizing by Christians

If we can't proselytize, then we are not being the church:

Cambodia's government has issued a directive limiting proselytizing and other activities by Christians.

Without mentioning other religions, the directive says Christians are not allowed to promote their religion in public places, or use money or other means to persuade people to convert.
The Great Commission commands the church to make disciples of the nations:
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [2] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Join me in praying that the churches in Cambodia will find a way to do as Christ commanded and share with the people of Cambodia the good news of Jesus Christ. And that they will remember the words of Peter when he was told to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus:
Acts 4:17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
And then there's this:
More than 90 percent of Cambodians are Buddhists, who are generally tolerant of other religions. But last year, about 300 Buddhist villagers destroyed a partially built Christian church.
I wonder what the Buddhists who wouldn't even kill red ants would think of this?