Whenever a religious movement has tried to rid the world of paganism, it is the true church that has suffered the most. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records that most of those slaughtered for their faith throughout church history have been put to death by misguided zealots claiming to represent God. The Inquisition was responsible for the deaths of untold numbers of Christians, killed because they held God’s Word as a higher authority than the teachings of church leaders.
The Gospel According to Jesus, © John MacArthur, 1988, p. 132. Get this book!
God does not call His people to a ministry of inquisition. Now is not the time to rip the tares out. Our mission is not a political or military crusade, and this is not the time of judgment where we are called to distribute retribution. We are sent out rather to be ambassadors for Christ, emissaries of His mercy and grace.
The Gospel According to Jesus, © John MacArthur, 1988, p. 132.