The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Layton Hall to Basil Overton about Will Etheridge (1872-1951). In the account below, Etheridge showed the type of fearlessness that all Christians must have – even when threatened with bodily harm for their faith in Christ and their work in His kingdom.
“Brother Etheridge told me about baptizing one lady whose husband said he would not baptize his wife for he would be at the baptizing with a shotgun and see that he did not baptize her. Brother Etheridge told him he would have to shoot before the baptizing because he intended to baptize her. Brother Etheridge said the man was there with his shotgun and watched while he baptized her but did not shoot” (Will Baptized Her Despite the Shotgun!).
This is the only account I have read of this event. It is impossible to tell from Hall’s letter if the man with the shotgun was simply trying to intimidate Etheridge or if he really intended to shoot the preacher but had a change of heart at the last moment. Regardless, in Etheridge’s defiant response to this man’s threat, he proved himself to be an example of one who followed these passages:
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (1 Peter 3:13-14).
“But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:19-20).
People may try to intimidate or threaten us with violence for teaching and practicing the truth. Paul and Peter both warned Christians of this (2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-16). But we must not give in to the threats of godless men. Our souls – and the souls of those we may lead to the truth – are far more important than our earthly lives that may be threatened.
