Greetings to churches in China persecuted for the sake of righteousness

Dear shepherds of God’s people in Christ in China,

We are a group of Christian leaders who share your call from God but serve Him overseas, proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding churches.

Please accept our greatest respect for you for standing up straight and speaking up courageously for the truth you have put your faith in amid the persecutions and sufferings you are facing, and please send our warm regards to our numerous brothers and sisters in Christ, whom you are shepherding.

May grace and peace from our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Dear shepherds of God’s people, we read A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith [Editor’s note: Hereafter referred to as “Declaration”], which you jointly signed, and were moved to tears by the Holy Spirit. Although we are overseas and in a relatively easy environment, we belong with you to the body of Christ, and we dare not forget the Bible’s teaching that “body … parts should have equal concern for each other” [1 Corinthians 12:25]. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” [1 Corinthians 12:26].

In order to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, whom you believe is the Lord of the whole earth and the only and supreme head of the Church, you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. What a great honor and blessing!

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” [1 Peter 2:21].

If we are oblivious to and detached from your sufferings for the sake of Christ, we are no longer a part of His body, and we will be held accountable when we see Him on that day.

Therefore, we have no other choice and are obliged to stand in solidarity with you in Christ, praying and interceding in tears for the persecutions against you, and giving our thanks and praise to God for your strength, endurance, and hope in the midst of sufferings.

If we truly share in your sufferings for the Gospel, we will be able to share in your blessings from God, for the Bible says, “ … if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” [Romans 8:17b].

Dear shepherds of God’s people, ever since China’s top authorities reinforced the idolatrous worship of a certain leader and a certain ideology in recent years [Editor’s note: This refers to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his administration, who are attempting to consolidate ideological power to the Communist Party and persecuting those who do not adhere to their beliefs], the Gospel message about Christ’s cross, which you have preached, became more and more repulsive to them, and thus, they intensified persecutions against you. This is because the Gospel of Christ opposes any form of idol worship by mankind and holds fast that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]. All of mankind, including those in power, are saved from perishing through their faith in the redemption of Christ Jesus on the cross. As long as we refuse to back down from this claim of truth, the world won’t stop persecuting us.

As our Lord Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” [John 15:18-19].

Therefore, no matter what excuses or criminal charges the authorities use to interrogate, raid, demolish, fine, outlaw, confiscate, shut down, or even detain you, it is not because you are not cunning enough in your responses, or you’re growing too fast as a church, or you’re connected with “overseas forces.” It is only because you have been chosen out of the world by Christ. As the root cause of all persecutions suffered by Christian churches, this is also the secret to our partaking in the Lord’s glory in the future.

Dear shepherds, we thank and praise God for your faithfulness and goodness in Christ. As “stewards of the mysteries God” [1 Corinthians 4:1], you always put what he entrusted to you, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” [2 Timothy 4:2a], above everything else, even in the midst of persecutions. Your Declaration begins with the Gospel message, calling on the world to repent and reconcile with God through Christ, because this is the highest call you have received from God. For this you were called, and for this you will also live or die. The four claims in your Declaration also flow out of this. For the sake of the Gospel, you must lead the church, “obey God rather than human beings” [Acts 5:29] and therefore resist everything coming from men. Again, for the sake of the Gospel, teach the church to follow the biblical principle of separating the church from the state; “Christians are obligated to respect the authorities, to pray fervently for their benefit, and to pray earnestly for Chinese society” [Declaration, Item 3]

Even more so, you are “For the sake of the gospel, we are willing to suffer all external losses brought about by unfair law enforcement. Out of a love for our fellow citizens, we are willing to give up all of our earthly rights” [Declaration, Item 3]. All these have manifested that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” [Philippians 2:13].

Dear shepherds, it is our belief that, were it not for God’s Spirit moving among you and his mighty arms sustaining you, you would not be able to stay faithful to the commission God entrusted to you, following in the footsteps of Christ, and being the good shepherds who lay down their lives for their sheep.

As of today, we have seen God’s power to preserve you and be present with you in your sufferings. He made you join hands and walk in front of your flock, bravely speaking up for truth. He meant for you to guide and protect his sheep, and inspire brothers and sisters in churches with your own example to not lose heart and fall captive to the world. Undaunted by the intimidation from the authorities, you boldly proclaim Christ as the only and supreme head of the Church, and make the world and God’s churches all over the world hear your solemn promise: “ … under no circumstances will we lead our churches to join a religious organization controlled by the government, to register with the religious administration department, or to accept any kind of affiliation. We also will not accept any “ban” or “fine” imposed on our churches due to our faith. For the sake of the gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses—even the loss of our freedom and our lives” [Declaration, Item 4]. We believe your resounding voices, filled with God’s graceful and powerful proclamations, will spread with the content of your Declaration to inspire more Gospel workers to become fearless of persecutions, to preach the same Gospel, to be led by the same Spirit, to unite with you in one body, and to share the same resolve in front of God, under the leadership of Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign. This will bring a greater revival and unity to churches in China and make the Gospel spread faster and farther in the land of China.

Dear shepherds, when you lag in the midst of a hundred different ways to be refined by fire, your faith, evidenced by your practice of self-denial and endurance, is being reported all over the world, and is showing to us, in particular, people in overseas churches, how to follow Jesus’s example.

Gracious God, may your mercy be with overseas Chinese churches, and may you not abandon us. Don’t let us indulge in our comfort. Don’t let us become the church in Laodicea—“neither hot nor cold”— and be spit out of your mouth [Revelation 3:16]. May God remember that we pray in tears day and night for you in your persecution.

May God fulfill in us his promise that you have received because of our willingness to share in your sufferings in Christ and to fight the good fight with you for the Gospel: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” [Revelation 2:10]. Amen!

《在基督裡與你們一同站立》

——向在中國大陆為義受逼迫的教會問安

主內親愛的各位牧者與長老：

我們是一群如你們一樣，同被上帝呼召，但卻在海外各地宣教佈道，牧養教會的華人牧者。我們向你們，在當前的逼迫患難中，為著所信的真理，挺身站立，勇敢發聲的主內同道，致以基督裡的崇高敬意；並藉著你們，向你們所牧教會的廣大主內肢體，致以親切的問侯。願恩惠，平安從我們的父神，並主耶穌基督，歸於你們。

親愛的牧長們，我們讀了你們聯名簽署的《為基督信仰的聲明》，從聖靈來的感動和淚水，從未消停。我們雖身處海外相對安寧的環境，但與你們同屬基督的一個身體。我們不敢忘記聖經“總要肢體相顧”的教導，“若一個肢體受苦，所有的肢體就一同受苦，若一個肢體得榮耀，所有的肢體就一同快樂。”（林前12：26） 你們因傳揚基督的福音，並信祂是全地的主，教會獨一元首所受的苦，就是與基督一同受苦。這是何等榮耀蒙福的事。“你們蒙召原是為此，因基督也為你們受過苦，給你們留下榜樣，叫你們跟隨祂的腳蹤行。”（彼前2：21）我們若對你們在基督裡所受的苦難，不聞不問，漠然置之，就是自外於基督的身體，將來必難以向主交賬。所以，我們別無選擇，只能在基督裡與你們一同站立，為你們所受的逼迫向主流淚禱告呼求，更為你們在患難中的剛強，忍耐與盼望在神面前獻上感恩與讚美。我們若與你們為福音同受苦難，就能與你們同得從神來的福分。因為經上所記“如果我們和祂一同受苦，也必和祂一同得榮耀”（羅8：17b）。

親愛的牧長們，隨著近年來，中國執政高層加強神化某個領袖和某個主義的偶像崇拜之後，你們所傳講的基督十字架的福音信息就愈加不被當局所容忍了，你們為此遭受的逼迫也就變得愈加嚴酷。因為基督福音反對一切從人來的偶像崇拜，堅定地相信“世人都犯了罪，虧缺了神的榮耀。”（羅3：23）人人（包括執政掌權者）都須藉著信靠基督耶穌十字架的救贖，才能得救，不至滅亡。只要我們在這宣告上無可退讓，來自世界的逼迫就不會停止。主耶穌說：“世人若恨你們，你們知道恨你們以先，已經恨我了。你們若屬世界，世界必愛屬自己的；只因你們不屬世界，乃是我從世界中揀選了你們，所以世界就恨你們。”（約15：18-19）由此可見，不論當局用什麽藉口，什麽罪名，來約談，衝擊，拆除，罰款，取締，沒收，查封，乃至關押你們，那不是你們應對靈巧不夠，也不是因為你們聚會人數加多，或與“境外勢力”有否關聯，乃是由於你們被基督揀選，從世界裡分別出來了。而這既是基督教會在世上受逼迫的根本原因，也是我們將來與主同得榮耀的奧秘。

親愛的牧長們，我們為你們在基督裡的忠心和良善感謝讚美主。你們作為神“奧秘事的管家”，在逼迫中始終不忘將神“務要傳道，無論得時不得時”的託付放在首位。 《聲明》中，你們開宗明義，放膽講明福音的奧秘，呼籲世人悔改，在基督裡與神和好。因為這是你們從神領受的至高召命。你們為此被召，也為此而生而死。你們所發的四點聲明，無一不是以此出發。所以為著福音的緣故，你們只能帶領教會，“順從神，不順從人”，由此抵擋一切從人來的，不合聖經教導的惡法或指令。同樣為著福音的緣故，你們教導教會，照著聖經中政教分立的原則，“尊重政府有管理社會和人的行為的權柄。熱心為他們的益處禱告，也切切為中國社會禱告。”你們“甚至甘願為福音的緣故，忍受不公平的執法所帶來的一切外在損失；出於對同胞的愛而情願放棄一切原本屬於我們肉身上的權利。”這一切都表明了你們“立志行事，都是神在你們心裡運行，為要成就祂的美意。”（腓2：13）。

親愛的牧長們，我們相信，若不是神的靈在你們中間運行，若不是神的大能膀臂托住你們，你們就不能在逼迫中守住從神領受的職分，效法基督，作為羊捨命的好牧人。今天，我們看見神保守的大能在患難中與你們同在。祂使你們手拉著手，走在群羊前面，為真理勇敢地一同發聲。神使你們如此行是要引導保護主的群羊，使眾教會的弟兄姊妹，因你們的榜樣，大受激勵，不致喪膽被世界擄去。你們不懼權勢的威逼，放膽宣告基督是教會唯一的元首。讓世界，也讓眾教會聽見你們莊嚴的承偌：“在任何情況下，不帶領教會加入官方控制的宗教組織，不帶領教會在宗教管理部門登記，也不接受任何方式的挂靠。我們也不接受因信仰的緣故而對基督教會的'取締'和'罰款'；並願意為著福音的緣故，預備承擔一切損失乃至失去自由和生命的代價。”我們相信這鏗鏘有力，充滿神恩典大能的宣告，必將隨著《聲明》的廣傳，激勵各地更多的傳道人站在會眾前，不怕逼迫，宣講同一個福音，與你們同感一靈，同為一個身體，在同一個元首主耶穌基督的帶領下，向著神有同一的心志，從而帶給教會更大的復興與合一，使福音在中國大地更加興旺與廣傳。

親愛的牧長們，你們落在百般試煉中，學習捨己忍耐的信德傳遍了天下，尤其成為我們海外眾教會學習效法、跟隨主耶穌的榜樣。慈愛的神啊，願祢的憐憫與海外華人教會同在，不要丟棄我們。不要讓我們在安逸中沉淪。不要使我們如老底嘉教會那樣，不冷不熱被祢從口中吐出去。願神記念我們海外教會眾多的肢體為你們所受的逼迫，日夜不住的流淚禱告。願神因著我們願在基督裡與你們一同受苦，願為福音同打那美好的仗，就使我們與你們同得主的應許：“你務要至死忠心，我就賜給你那生命的冠冕。”（啓2：10） 阿們！

Greetings to churches in China persecuted for the sake of righteousness

Dear shepherds of God’s people in Christ in China,

We are a group of Christian leaders who share your call from God but serve Him overseas, proclaiming the Gospel and shepherding churches.

Please accept our greatest respect for you for standing up straight and speaking up courageously for the truth you have put your faith in amid the persecutions and sufferings you are facing, and please send our warm regards to our numerous brothers and sisters in Christ, whom you are shepherding.

May grace and peace from our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Dear shepherds of God’s people, we read A Declaration for the Sake of the Christian Faith [Editor’s note: Hereafter referred to as “Declaration”], which you jointly signed, and were moved to tears by the Holy Spirit. Although we are overseas and in a relatively easy environment, we belong with you to the body of Christ, and we dare not forget the Bible’s teaching that “body … parts should have equal concern for each other” [1 Corinthians 12:25]. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” [1 Corinthians 12:26].

In order to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, whom you believe is the Lord of the whole earth and the only and supreme head of the Church, you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. What a great honor and blessing!

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” [1 Peter 2:21].

If we are oblivious to and detached from your sufferings for the sake of Christ, we are no longer a part of His body, and we will be held accountable when we see Him on that day.

Therefore, we have no other choice and are obliged to stand in solidarity with you in Christ, praying and interceding in tears for the persecutions against you, and giving our thanks and praise to God for your strength, endurance, and hope in the midst of sufferings.

If we truly share in your sufferings for the Gospel, we will be able to share in your blessings from God, for the Bible says, “ … if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” [Romans 8:17b].

Dear shepherds of God’s people, ever since China’s top authorities reinforced the idolatrous worship of a certain leader and a certain ideology in recent years [Editor’s note: This refers to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his administration, who are attempting to consolidate ideological power to the Communist Party and persecuting those who do not adhere to their beliefs], the Gospel message about Christ’s cross, which you have preached, became more and more repulsive to them, and thus, they intensified persecutions against you. This is because the Gospel of Christ opposes any form of idol worship by mankind and holds fast that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]. All of mankind, including those in power, are saved from perishing through their faith in the redemption of Christ Jesus on the cross. As long as we refuse to back down from this claim of truth, the world won’t stop persecuting us.

As our Lord Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” [John 15:18-19].

Therefore, no matter what excuses or criminal charges the authorities use to interrogate, raid, demolish, fine, outlaw, confiscate, shut down, or even detain you, it is not because you are not cunning enough in your responses, or you’re growing too fast as a church, or you’re connected with “overseas forces.” It is only because you have been chosen out of the world by Christ. As the root cause of all persecutions suffered by Christian churches, this is also the secret to our partaking in the Lord’s glory in the future.

Dear shepherds, we thank and praise God for your faithfulness and goodness in Christ. As “stewards of the mysteries God” [1 Corinthians 4:1], you always put what he entrusted to you, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” [2 Timothy 4:2a], above everything else, even in the midst of persecutions. Your Declaration begins with the Gospel message, calling on the world to repent and reconcile with God through Christ, because this is the highest call you have received from God. For this you were called, and for this you will also live or die. The four claims in your Declaration also flow out of this. For the sake of the Gospel, you must lead the church, “obey God rather than human beings” [Acts 5:29] and therefore resist everything coming from men. Again, for the sake of the Gospel, teach the church to follow the biblical principle of separating the church from the state; “Christians are obligated to respect the authorities, to pray fervently for their benefit, and to pray earnestly for Chinese society” [Declaration, Item 3]

Even more so, you are “For the sake of the gospel, we are willing to suffer all external losses brought about by unfair law enforcement. Out of a love for our fellow citizens, we are willing to give up all of our earthly rights” [Declaration, Item 3]. All these have manifested that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” [Philippians 2:13].

Dear shepherds, it is our belief that, were it not for God’s Spirit moving among you and his mighty arms sustaining you, you would not be able to stay faithful to the commission God entrusted to you, following in the footsteps of Christ, and being the good shepherds who lay down their lives for their sheep.

As of today, we have seen God’s power to preserve you and be present with you in your sufferings. He made you join hands and walk in front of your flock, bravely speaking up for truth. He meant for you to guide and protect his sheep, and inspire brothers and sisters in churches with your own example to not lose heart and fall captive to the world. Undaunted by the intimidation from the authorities, you boldly proclaim Christ as the only and supreme head of the Church, and make the world and God’s churches all over the world hear your solemn promise: “ … under no circumstances will we lead our churches to join a religious organization controlled by the government, to register with the religious administration department, or to accept any kind of affiliation. We also will not accept any “ban” or “fine” imposed on our churches due to our faith. For the sake of the gospel, we are prepared to bear all losses—even the loss of our freedom and our lives” [Declaration, Item 4]. We believe your resounding voices, filled with God’s graceful and powerful proclamations, will spread with the content of your Declaration to inspire more Gospel workers to become fearless of persecutions, to preach the same Gospel, to be led by the same Spirit, to unite with you in one body, and to share the same resolve in front of God, under the leadership of Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign. This will bring a greater revival and unity to churches in China and make the Gospel spread faster and farther in the land of China.

Dear shepherds, when you lag in the midst of a hundred different ways to be refined by fire, your faith, evidenced by your practice of self-denial and endurance, is being reported all over the world, and is showing to us, in particular, people in overseas churches, how to follow Jesus’s example.

Gracious God, may your mercy be with overseas Chinese churches, and may you not abandon us. Don’t let us indulge in our comfort. Don’t let us become the church in Laodicea—“neither hot nor cold”— and be spit out of your mouth [Revelation 3:16]. May God remember that we pray in tears day and night for you in your persecution.

May God fulfill in us his promise that you have received because of our willingness to share in your sufferings in Christ and to fight the good fight with you for the Gospel: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” [Revelation 2:10]. Amen!