Christians Under Persecution and Abuse of Power
Persecution, in a biblical context, refers to suffering endured by believers for their faith in God and adherence to righteous living [1, 7]. This suffering can manifest in various forms, including physical violence, imprisonment, and social ostracization [3, 4]. The concept of persecution is deeply woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments, with numerous examples and teachings concerning its nature and the appropriate response of believers.
The Old Testament records instances of persecution against God's people. One notable example is the persecution of the worshippers of Jehovah during the reign of King Ahab, instigated by his wife Jezebel, who sought to replace the worship of God with that of Baal and Ashtoreth [2]. This historical account illustrates an early form of religiously motivated persecution aimed at eradicating a specific faith.
In the New Testament, Jesus himself forewarned his followers about impending persecution. He stated, "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake" [3]. This prophecy indicates that persecution is an expected part of the Christian experience. The Tyndale House commentary on Mark 13:9 elaborates that this persecution would involve Jewish Christians being brought before local councils of Jewish leaders and beaten in synagogues, as well as trials before Roman governors and kings [4]. Paul's experiences, including multiple beatings, likely occurred in such synagogue settings [4].
Jesus's own life exemplified suffering and persecution. He endured persecution from those who hated God and Christ, and he voluntarily submitted to it, demonstrating patience under duress [1]. The suffering of saints is considered a persecution of Christ himself, as indicated by passages like Zechariah 2:8 and Acts 9:4-5 [1]. This theological connection underscores the profound identification between Christ and his followers in their suffering.
The apostle Paul, a prominent figure in early Christianity, frequently experienced persecution. He was imprisoned and beaten in synagogues for his preaching [6]. Paul understood that his suffering was a direct consequence of his ministry, particularly his advocacy for Gentiles to be included in the new covenant without requiring circumcision [9]. He noted that if he had continued to preach circumcision, he would not have faced persecution from the Jews [8]. His experiences included being "in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often" [5]. Paul's life served as a testament to the reality that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" [1, 2 Timothy 3:12].
The motivations behind persecution are varied but often stem from a rejection of God and Christ, hatred for the Gospel, pride, or even mistaken zeal [1]. For instance, Paul himself, prior to his conversion, actively persecuted Christians out of what he believed was zeal for God [1, 6]. The Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that the first recorded great persecution for religious opinion was against the worshippers of God among the Jews in the days of Ahab [2].
Persecution is not merely suffering for any cause; it is specifically "for righteousness sake" [7]. John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 5:10, clarifies that this refers to suffering "on account of their righteous and godly conversation," which often provokes the hatred of those who live unrighteously [7]. The righteous lives of believers can implicitly or explicitly condemn the wicked practices of others, leading to animosity and persecution [7].
The New Testament also provides guidance on how believers should respond to persecution. Despite the hardships, there is a promise of blessing for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake [7]. The early church understood that persecution was an inevitable part of following Christ, and it often served to strengthen their faith and spread the Gospel. For example, Paul's imprisonment, though a result of persecution, also provided opportunities for him to preach to kings and governors [3, 4, 9].
The historical development of Christian thought on persecution has consistently affirmed its reality and significance. From the earliest days of the church, as evidenced in the book of Acts, believers faced opposition from both Jewish and Roman authorities [4, 6]. This pattern continued throughout history, with various empires and ideologies persecuting Christians. The consistent teaching across different traditions is that persecution is an expected, though difficult, aspect of Christian discipleship, often leading to a deeper reliance on God and a clearer witness to the faith [1, 4, 7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Persecution — The first great persecution for religious opinion of which we have any record was that which broke out against the worshippers of God among the Jews in the days of Ahab, when that king, at the instigation of his wife Jezebel, "a woman in whom, with the reckless and licentious habits of an Oriental queen, were united the fiercest and sternest qualities inherent in the old Semitic race", sought in the most relentless manner to extirpate the worship of Jehovah and substitute in its place the worship of Ashtoreth and Baal. Ahab's example in this respect was”
- Luke “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. -- Luke 21:12”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:9: 13:9 The second watch out! warns of persecution that was to come upon Christians (see 6:11; 8:34-38; 10:30; see 4:17). Jewish Christians would be brought before local councils of Jewish leaders, who had authority over Jewish communities. We read of such a council in Matt 10:17 and probably in Matt 5:22 (see also Acts 4:1-22). • beaten in the synagogues: Paul’s beatings in 2 Cor 11:24-25 were probably inflicted in the local synagogue. • The followers of Jesus would also be susceptible to trial before governors and kings (see Acts 23:24; 24:10-27; 25:1–26:32). Such tr”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 11:23: Are they ministers of Christ - So we find that these were professors of Christianity; and that they were genuine Jews, and such as endeavored to incorporate both systems, and, no doubt, to oblige those who had believed to be circumcised; and this appears to have been the bondage into which they had brought many of the believing Corinthians. I am more - More of a minister of Christ than they are, and have given fuller proofs of it. I have suffered persecution for the cross of Christ, and of the Jews too; and had I preached up the necessity of circumcision, I ”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 22:19: I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue - This shows what an active instrument Saul of Tarsus was, in the hands of this persecuting priesthood, and how very generally the followers of Christ were persecuted, and how difficult it was at this time to profess Christianity.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 5:10: Blessed are they which are persecuted,.... Not for any crimes they have done, for unrighteousness and iniquity, as murderers, thieves, and evildoers, but for righteousness sake: on account of their righteous and godly conversation, which brings upon them the hatred and enmity of the men of the world: for saints, by living righteously, separate themselves from them, and profess themselves not to belong to them; their religious life sets a brand upon, and distinguishes other persons; yea, it reproves and condemns their wicked lives and practices; and this fills them ”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:11: If I yet preach circumcision - it is very likely that some of the false apostles, hearing of Paul's having circumcised Timothy, Act 16:3, which must have been done about this time, reported him as being an advocate for circumcision, and by this means endeavored to sanction their own doctrine. To this the apostle replies: Were it so, that I am a friend to this measure, is it likely that I should suffer persecution from the Jews? But I am every where persecuted by them, and I am persecuted because I am known to be an enemy to circumcision; were I a friend to this d”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:1: For this cause - Because he maintained that the Gentiles were admitted to all the privileges of the Jews, and all the blessings of the new covenant, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, the Jews persecuted him, and caused him to be imprisoned, first at Caesarea, where he was obliged to appeal to the Roman emperor, in consequence of which he was sent prisoner to Rome. See Act 21:21-28, etc. The prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles - For preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles, and showing that they were not bound by the law of Moses, and yet were call”