Iran: 80 Lashes for Communion Wine

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church … (Colossians 1:24)

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)– This month an Iranian court in Rasht sentenced four members from the Church of Iran to 80 lashes each.

Their “crime” was to partake of the wine sanctified during communion that represented the blood shed by Jesus during his own scourging and Crucifixion under ancient Roman justice, allegedly for insurrection.

The Iranian verdict, however, charged Behzad Taalipasand, Mehdi Omidi, Mehdi Dadkhah and Amir Hatemi with drinking alcohol; the four received the verdict Sunday and now have ten days to appeal the sentence, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a Christian advocacy group for religious freedoms.

“The sentences handed down to these members of the Church of Iran effectively criminalize the Christian sacrament of sharing in the Lord’s Supper and constitute an unacceptable infringement on the right to practice faith freely and peaceably,” said Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW.

According to an October UN report, violations of the rights of Christians — notably converts from Islam to evangelical Protestant groups — continues unabated.

“Authorities continue to compel licensed Protestant churches to restrict Persian-speaking and Muslim-born Iranians from participating in services and raids and forced closures of house churches are ongoing … More than 300 Christians have been arrested since 2010 and dozens of church leaders and active community members have reportedly been convicted of national security crimes in connection with church activities, such as organizing prayer groups, proselytizing and attending Christian seminars abroad.”

Lift this up in Prayer

16

people are currently praying.

Latest Worthy News

Fair Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Books by George Whitten

Identity in Messiah Revealed https://identityinmessiah.com

A devotional journey calling believers out of self-doubt and into confident, Kingdom-rooted identity in the Messiah.

Get it on Amazon

The Biblical Fall Feasts Revealed https://biblicalfallfeasts.com

An in-depth look at the Biblical fall feasts and their prophetic significance for believers today.

Get it on Amazon