Persecution as a Test of Faith in Scripture
Persecution is presented in Scripture as an expected reality for those who live faithfully, serving as a test of their devotion and a means through which their faith is demonstrated [6, 7]. The Bible indicates that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will experience persecution [6]. This suffering is often for the sake of God [1].
Jesus himself endured persecution, as prophesied in the Old Testament (Psalm 69:26; Isaiah 50:6, 53:7) and recorded in the Gospels (John 5:16) [1]. He voluntarily submitted to it and remained patient under its weight [1]. Jesus also warned his disciples that they would face similar treatment, stating, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20) [1, 8]. He further promised that the Holy Spirit would provide strength during such trials (Acts 1:8) [8].
The experience of persecution is not new to the New Testament era. The first major persecution for religious opinion recorded in the Bible occurred against the worshippers of God among the Jews during the reign of Ahab, instigated by Jezebel, who sought to replace the worship of Yahweh with that of Ashtoreth and Baal [2]. Throughout the biblical narrative, God's servants frequently encountered hostility and opposition [8].
Persecution can originate from various sources, including ignorance of God and Christ (John 16:3), hatred toward God and Christ (John 15:20, 24), hatred of the Gospel (Matthew 13:21), pride (Psalm 10:2), and mistaken zeal (Acts 13:50; 26:9-11) [1]. The apostle Paul, for instance, recounted his own past as a persecutor of "this Way" (Christianity), binding and imprisoning both men and women (Acts 22:4) [5].
Despite the hardships, Scripture emphasizes that persecution should not deter believers from confessing Christ [3]. Confessing Christ is presented as a necessary act for salvation (Romans 10:9-10) and a test of being a saint (1 John 2:23; 4:2-3) [3]. The fear of man, however, can prevent such confession (John 7:13; 12:42-43) [3]. Enduring persecution is seen as a demonstration of devotedness to Christ, akin to self-denial (Matthew 10:37-38; Luke 9:23-24) [4]. The suffering of saints is even considered a persecution of Christ himself (Zechariah 2:8; Acts 9:4-5) [1].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Acts “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. -- Acts 22:4”
- 2 Timothy “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. -- 2 Timothy 3:12”
- Acts “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God. -- Acts 14:22”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:1: 4:1-22 Persecution was a common experience of God’s people throughout the Bible. God’s servants often faced hostility and opposition (Deut 30:7; 1 Kgs 18:13; Neh 4:1-3; Jer 37–38; Matt 23:34-37; Luke 11:49-51; 1 Thes 2:14-15). Jesus himself was persecuted (Luke 4:29; John 5:16), and he told his disciples to expect the same kind of treatment (Matt 10:23; 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12; John 16:2), but he promised that the Holy Spirit would provide strength (Acts 1:8; Luke 12:11-12; 21:15). Acts records frequent times of persecution (Acts 4:3; 5:17-41; 7:54–8:3; 9:1-2; 11”