For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
Welcome to IBCZ
Welcome to the website of the International Baptist Church of Zürich, an English-speaking Christian fellowship located in Rüschlikon, a suburb of Zürich.
You are invited to attend our Sunday morning worship service which starts at 10:30 am. We also have a number of Bible studies and home groups that meet during the week.
Please feel free to contact us at office@ibcz.ch and, if you are in Zürich, we look forward to meeting you.
In The Name of Christ, Stop!
History tells us of a monk of the 5th century called Telemachus. He was martyred for the principles which he upheld. Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus in Syria, writes this about him, "Honorius the Emperor, who inherited the empire of Europe, put a stop to the gladiatorial combats which had long been held at Rome. The occasion of his doing so arose from the following circumstance: A certain man of the name of Telemachus had embraced the ascetic life. He had set out from the East and for this reason had repaired to Rome. There, when the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium and stepping down into the arena, endeavoured to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another. The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the triad fury of the demon that delights in those bloody deeds, stoned Telemachus to death. When the admirable emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the number of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious spectacle.” (Theodoret of Cyrrhus, The Ecclesiastical History)
Telemachus is purported to have come between the gladiators and cried out, “In the name of Christ, Stop!”
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Christians are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, because of their loyalty to Christ and His gospel.
The Bible says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). While the type and intensity of the persecution will vary from ridicule or rejection to physical violence or even death, every true Christian who lives a godly life in this world will experience persecution. Christians are persecuted when they uphold biblical values and a biblical world view. If you are honest at work, your honesty will convict those who cheat and they will try to get at you. If you speak out about injustice, immorality, or evil, you will be ridiculed and attacked. John Calvin put it plainly, “they who wish to be exempt from persecutions must necessarily renounce Christ.” (Calvin's Commentary on Timothy, p. 244)
We will study the eighth and final Beatitude this Sunday. It speaks of the blessing and reward that comes to the persecuted believer. Please join us as we worship together at 10:30 am.
Bruce Davie, Pastor/Elder
