From Lost 2 Found

The Big Idea for this text seems to be that as followers of Christ we are called to stand up for our beliefs no matter what the cost. According to ReligiousTolerance.com "the proportion of the [American] population that can be classified as Christian has declined from 86% in 1990 to 77% in 2001" (ARIS Study as cited by http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm ). How is it possible for a 2007 CNN Poll to show that 50% of Americans consider themselves Pro-life, yet abortion is still legal in the United States? How is it possible for 77% of Americans to claim to be Christian, yet: ...we have constant arguments in our cities (and court systems) regarding the appropriateness of posting the Ten Commandments. ...we can't agree on whether or not to teach "Intelligent Design" in public schools. ...we have cities removing religious decorations during "Christian" holidays like Christmas. ...we have an almost endless battle over the role of prayer in scho

Acts 5:27-42 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. " We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: &q