Scripture from a Torturer

He told me he’d read the Bible and knew baptism types and asked which I uphold. I said, “Immersion.” He asked if I understood the Bible. I told him I’d read it several times, but don’t understand it all.

It’s a conversation that might happen between a teacher and a new believer. But this conversation happened in prison, between a seminary student and an officer. Brother Song Enguang was chained with handcuffs, detained with over 200 others from Autumn Rain Blessing Church in Sichuan.

He slapped me hard.“If someone slaps you on one cheek, what’s next?” I answered, “Turn the other also.” He slapped me again. “What book?” I said: “Matthew.” Another slap: “What chapter?” I said: “The fifth.” He slapped me four times in a row and said: “The Book of Matthew, New Testament, the 6th chapter, passage 38-42. I see anger in your eyes. Christ taught you to love me. You should heap burning coals on my head. (Romans 12:20) You should move me with your love.”

Brother Song was slapped over 30 times by that officer, who quoted Scripture at him through the abuse. He questioned Song about biblical facts, and tried to trick him into giving bad answers. I remember in 1996, my interrogator blew smoke at me, quoting Romans 13, saying he was the “authorities above” to whom I should submit and give the names of others in our church. Now, the Bible knowledge of Chinese agents has improved. 

This new persecution may create a spiritual revival, as persecuted respond to persecutors. In writing, Song only used the policeman’s ID number, never his name, to avoid letting anyone try to get revenge. After the beating, Song said: I began to understand the heart of Jesus Christ. I began to understand God. Hatred did not overtake me for even a second. He removed my fear and placed peace in my heart.

 

Dear friends, I hope you are encouraged after you read these quotes from the story of Brother Song. Thank you for continuing to partner with ChinaAid and our courageous brothers and sisters in China.

Your humble coworker,

 

Bob Fu

 

P.S. As I finished writing this, I learned that Song’s church was attacked again on June 4. Please keep praying!