Persecution of Christians in the Bible and Theology
Persecution, in a biblical and theological context, refers to suffering or hostility experienced by individuals or groups due to their religious beliefs or practices. The Bible consistently presents persecution as a common experience for God's people [8].
The Old Testament records instances of persecution against those who worshipped God, such as during the reign of King Ahab and Jezebel, who sought to eradicate the worship of Yahweh and replace it with Baal worship [2]. Prophets like Jeremiah also faced scorn and mocking for faithfully declaring God's word [3].
In the New Testament, Jesus himself endured persecution, including scorn and mocking, as predicted in the Psalms and Isaiah [1, 3]. He was hated without cause and faced opposition because of his testimony against the world [4]. Jesus warned his disciples that they would experience similar treatment, stating, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20) [1]. He also promised that the Holy Spirit would provide strength during such trials [8]. The Apostle Paul affirmed this, writing, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12) [6, 7].
The early Christian church, as documented in the book of Acts, frequently faced persecution [8]. This included arrests, beatings, and even martyrdom, often stemming from ignorance of God and Christ, hatred of the gospel, or mistaken zeal [1, 8]. Persecution against saints is considered by some to be a persecution of Christ himself [1].
Theological reflection on persecution emphasizes its origins and nature. Athanasius of Alexandria argued that persecution originates from the Devil, contrasting it with the commands and conduct of Christ and the saints [10]. Augustine of Hippo discussed persecution in the context of the binding of the devil and the reign of saints, and also noted that even within the church, the wicked can torment the hearts of the pious, leading to blasphemy against the Christian name [9, 13]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, noted that being persecuted "for righteousness sake" is a blessing, as it stems from a godly conversation that distinguishes believers from the world and implicitly condemns wicked practices [12]. He also stated that God considers it a "righteous thing" to recompense tribulation to those who trouble believers [11].
While persecution is a recurring theme, the specific forms and intensity can vary. Augustine also considered the historical reality of persecutions by kings, including Herod after Christ's ascension, and the ten persecutions leading up to Nero's time [14]. The concept of trial in Jewish law, as it relates to persecution, is also noted in biblical dictionaries [5].
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: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hatred to Christ — Is without cause -- Ps 69:4; Joh 15:25. Is on account of his testimony against the world -- Joh 7:7. Involves Hatred to his Father. -- Joh 15:23,24. Hatred to his people. -- Joh 15:18. Punishment of -- Ps 2:2,9; 21:8. No escape for those who persevere in -- 1Co 15:25; Heb 10:29-31. Illustrated -- Lu 19:12-14,17. Exemplified Chief priests & c. -- Mt 27:1,2; Lu 22:5. Jews. -- Mt 27:22,23. Scribes & c. -- Mr 11:18; Lu 11:53,54.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Trial — Information on the subject of trials under the Jewish law will be found in the articles on [1239]Judges and [1240]Sanhedrin, and also in [1241]Jesus Christ CHRIST.”
- 2 Timothy “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. -- 2 Timothy 3:12”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:12 (KJV) — Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
- 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”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 13.--WHETHER THE TIME OF THE PERSECUTION or ANTICHRIST SHOULD BE RECKONED IN THE THOUSAND YEARS. (part 1): This last persecution by Antichrist shall last for three years and six months, as we have already said, and as is affirmed both in the book of Revelation and by Daniel the prophet. Though this time is brief, yet not without reason is it questioned whether it is comprehended in the thousand years in which the devil is bound and the saints reign with Christ, or whether this little season should be added over and above to these”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 326: 23. Persecution is from the Devil. Seeing therefore that such are the commands of our Saviour, and that such is the conduct of the Saints, let these persons, to whom one cannot give a name suitable to their character,—let them, I say, tell us, from whom they learnt to persecute? They cannot say, from the Saints 1496 1496 Hist. Arian. §§33, 67. . No, but from the Devil (that is the only answer which is left to them);—from him who says, ‘I will persue, I will overtake 1497 1497 Ex. xv. 9 . .’ Our Lord commanded to flee, and the sai”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 1:6: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God,.... That which is righteous in itself, is righteous in the sight of God, but it is not always so with men; men may think it a righteous thing that they should be rewarded for persecuting the followers of Christ, supposing they hereby do God good service; but on the contrary, with God, and in his sight and account, it is a righteous thing, or a point of justice, to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you: persecution is an affliction, or a trouble to the saints; persecutors trouble them in their minds and bodie”
- 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 ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 51.--THAT THE CATHOLIC FAITH MAY BE CONFIRMED EVEN BY THE DISSENSIONS OF THE HERETICS. (part 2): consolation, especially to the weak, yet there are not wanting, yea, there are many within who by their abandoned manners torment the hearts of those who live piously, since by them the Christian and catholic name is blasphemed; and the dearer that name is to those who will live piously in Christ, the more do they grieve that through the wicked, who have a place within, it comes to be less loved than pious minds desire. The heretics t”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 52.--WHETHER WE SHOULD BELIEVE WHAT SOME THINK, THAT, AS THE TEN PERSECUTIONS WHICH ARE PAST HAVE BEEN FULFILLED, THERE REMAINS NO OTHER BEYOND THE ELEVENTH, WHICH MUST HAPPEN IN THE VERY TIME O (part 2): Church in her growth had reached the times of Nero amid the most cruel persecutions; about which it would be too long to say anything? But if they think that only the persecutions made by kings ought to be reckoned, it was king Herod who also made a most grievous one after the ascension of the Lord. And what account do they give”