A STUDY OF THE CHURCH (9)
The Persecution of the church

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Those who are members of the church have been called out of the world.  They have been called unto a life of holiness (1 Thess. 4:4; 2 Cor. 7:1).  The lives, purposes, and aspirations of Christians are contrary to those in the world.  Too, it is the mission of the church to call as many sinners out of the world to Christ as possible.  These things put much tension between the church and the world.  In fact, the world hates the followers of Jesus Christ because it exposes their darkness (John 3:19-20).  This hatred from the first century on has caused the church to be persecuted by her enemies.

          The first persecution of the church came at the hands of the Jews.  It began when the apostles preached about the resurrected Christ and the authority of the Christ.  In Acts 3:6-8, Peter heals a man at the gate Beautiful in the city of Jerusalem.  He did so “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (Acts 3:6).  This miracle gave Peter and John the opportunity to preach about Jesus and the salvation found in Him (Acts 3:12-26).  “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day:  for it was now eventide” (Acts 4:1-3).  Because the Jewish counsel could “find nothing how they might punish them” (Acts 4:21), they let them go.  However, they “commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18).  When they returned to their company, they prayed for boldness.  “And now, Lord, behold their threatentings:  and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). 

          Soon all of the apostles were healing in Jesus’ name and preaching the gospel to the people in the temple vicinity (Acts 5:12-16).  Again, the apostles were arrested and put in the common prison (Acts 5:18).  The council reminded them of the command they had given unto them (Acts 5:28).  “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  This meeting ended with the disciples being beaten and being “commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go” (Acts 5:40).  The reaction of the apostles to this punishment is recorded in Acts 5:41-42.  “And they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” 

          The persecution did not end.  In fact, it had only just begun.  In Acts 7, Stephen is stoned when the Jews reject his message.  “And they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him:  and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 5:19-20). 

          Stephen’s death only seemed to fan the flames of persecution.  “…And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).  Chapter 9 of Acts opens with Saul relentless attacks against the disciples of the Lord.  “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letter to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1,2).

          All of the persecutions mentioned thus far were carried out by the Jews.  However, the church would eventually be persecuted by both the Romans and the Gentiles in the years to follow.  Paul was a recipient of these persecutions.  He documents his trials and tribulations in 2 Corinthians 11:23-26.  In Galatians 6:17, he writes:  “…for I bear in by body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Paul’s life ended with his execution in the city of Rome.  “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). 

          Paul was not the only one to suffer persecution by the Jews, Gentiles, and Romans.  The book of 1 Peter was written to Christians who were “in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Pet. 1:6).  Their faith was being tried, and they were passing through the refiner’s fire (1 Pet. 1:7).  In 1 Peter, the apostle counsels them as to how to live in the midst of their tribulations.  In the book of Revelation, we read about the persecutions brought upon some of the churches of Asia.  To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said:  “I know they works, and thy tribulation, and poverty…” (Rev. 2:9).  In Pergamos, Antipas was slain for holding fast to Jesus’ name (Rev. 2:13).  As one reads through the book, he finds the Lord warning the early church of the trials and tribulations that would come upon it as it faced a hostile world.

          Yes, the church will always face persecution.  This should not surprise any faithful child of God.  Jesus warned that it would come in the Sermon on the Mount.  “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt. 5:10-12).  And, it was Paul who told Timothy:  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

          Some Christians will not be able to bear up under the affliction of those who are evil.  Jesus likens them the grass withered by the sun (Matt. 13:20-21).  In order to endure, Christians need to remember some things about persecution.  First, suffering persecution makes us like unto our Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:20).  Second, persecutions, if endured properly, help us to develop a rich Christian (Rom. 5:3-5; Jame 1:2-4; 1 Peter. 1:7).  Third, those who hold to the faith through trials, suffering, and death have the promise of a reward in heaven.  “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven…” (Matt. 5:12).