Acts 4:1-4

Being non-Christian is not the same as being anti-Christian. Anyone who has not accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior is by definition a non-Christian; however, most non-Christians are not anti-Christian.

The priests, captain of the temple guards and the Sadducees were all anti-Christ and anti-Christian. They illustrate some of the many reasons people fight to silence the church.

The Sadducees had a very sincere theological disagreement with Christians. They did not believe in life after death. Most of the common Jews of Israel and the Pharisees believed in eternal life. The Sadducees did not like this, but they had to tolerate it. Christians taught that God resurrected Christ, and that he was the first of many whom God would raise from the dead. The Sadducees could not tolerate Christian teachings about the resurrection because it proved the Sadducees’ theology was wrong. The Sadducees had to discredit and destroy the resurrection story.

The priests had a materialistic reason for being anti-Christian. The Romans had the power, and they would remove any priest who did not keep the peace. The priests were in positions of privilege and they used their positions to enrich themselves. If the Christian beliefs continued to spread, it would endanger their lives of privilege and wealth. They were anti-Christian for selfish reasons.

The captain and the temple guards were not necessarily theological or selfish. They were obedient. They had a job to do and they were following orders. They were anti-Christian in actions, not beliefs.

Some people today still actively fight against the church and Christianity. Some have sincere religious beliefs, some have selfish motives, and some are just following orders. I believe there is a fourth reason that is common in our country today. Some people do not want anyone telling them anything is immoral or wicked. They love their perversion and immorality. In their wickedness, they seek to destroy anything that is true and moral. The anti-Christians in Jerusalem failed, and the church grew. When Christians remain faithful, the church will always grow.