Christianity Victorious

"If this endeavor or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39

What Jesus started in 30 AD is still going strong today. There are approximately 2.4 billion Christians worldwide. That’s about 31.6% of the global population. It is the largest religion globally, with the three largest groups being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Compare that to 1.8 billion Muslims, (more than 25% of the world population), 1.2 billion Hindus, and 535 million Buddhists.

However, just as in Jesus' time, there are forces trying to destroy Christians and Christianity in the world today. Churches are being burned, priests imprisoned, believers beheaded. In the Western world, there seems to be a backlash. Believers who have long been silenced are holding rallies to declare UK a Christian nation. And Justin Brierley, a popular podcaster wrote a book, “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again”.  There seems to be a new wave of faith and relevance of Christianity. 

What was said by a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin holds true today: “If this endeavor or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

We can undoubtedly say that the Church has survived persecution, abuse, scandals, even indifference. The seat of St. Peter is vacant now, but soon, another successor will take his place as Pope. He will be able to look over the Coliseum in Rome where the blood of Christians were absorbed by the sand on the arena floor. Ironically, Christianity is victorious over the once mighty Roman Empire and Emperor Nero who arrested, tortured, crucified, burned alive and fed to the wild animals the followers of Christ.