Bible Readings
The subject of persecution is often sidelined because it is not "seeker-friendly." The trouble with that strategy is "...everyone who wants to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." (2 Timothy 3:12). Believers need to be prepared and engaged. Jesus prepared his disciples (John 16:1-4) and today Christian parents, teachers, pastors and other leaders must take responsibility for preparing those in their care. How better to do that than to study the Scriptures -- which are rich in teaching and examples -- and engage with, pray for, and learn from, the persecuted church? The following are some suggested Bible texts about suffering for Christ.
Basic biblical teaching about persecution
- Christians are to expect persecution. (John 15:18-21; 17:14; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 John 3:13)
- God blesses righteous suffering. (Matthew 5:10-12; Luke 6:22-23)
- We should not be ashamed or embarrassed about persecution. (1 Peter 4:16; Hebrews 13:12-13)
- We must follow the example of Christ. (Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Peter 2:19-25)
- We must react under persecution as the Lord did. (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:14,17-21; 1 Peter 2:21-23)
- We are called to stand with those who are persecuted (Matthew 25:31-46; Hebrews 10:32-38; 13:3)
- We will have the victory. (John 16:33)
Persecution foretold
- Luke 11:49; John 15:20; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:12
Conduct under persecution
- Matthew 5:44; 10:22; Acts 5:41; Romans 12:14; Philippians 1:27-28; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 3:13-19
Jesus warns and teaches about persecution
- Matthew 10:16-42; Luke 14:25-35; John 15:18-16:4
The apostles and first missionaries are persecuted
- Christ's supremacy threatens the supremacy of the totalitarian and theocratic leadership. (Acts 4:1-22)
- Power and attraction of the gospel arouses jealousy. (Acts 5:12-41)
- Success of ministry arouses competition. (Acts 6:7-15)
- Stephen becomes the Christian Church's first martyr; persecution breaks out. (Acts 7:54-8:4)
- Herod persecutes apostles for political gain. (Acts 12:1-4)
- While Peter is in prison, the church prays. (Acts 12:1-18)
- Opposition to the gospel forces missionaries to flee. (Acts 13:49-14:7)
- The gospel threatens trade, economic prosperity and the fortune-telling industry; false accusations lead to missionaries being severely beaten. (Acts 16:16-34)
- Missionary success arouses jealousy; missionaries forced to flee. (Acts 17:1-15)
- The gospel threatens trade, economic prosperity and the idol industry; idol-makers incite riot that goes out of control. (Acts 19:23-32)
Prepare for persecution
- Understand it to be normal. (1 Peter 4:12; Philippians 1:29)
- Know the teaching of the Word of God. (Philemon 3:10; Romans 6:3-5; John 8:31-32)
- Abide in Christ. (John 15:4)
- Submit daily to the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18; 4:30)
- Rest in the will of God. (Ephesians 5:17; Hebrews 4:1,9-11)
Results of persecution
- Matthew 5:10; Luke 6:22; 9:24; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:14; Revelation 6:9; 7:13-17
Rewards for suffering persecution
- Glory in heaven. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1,10,11)
- Eternal consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:7; Romans 8:17)
- Christ is made known. (2 Corinthians 4:11)
- Life is being given to others. (2 Corinthians 4:12)
- Grace of God is being made manifest. (2 Corinthians 4:15)
- A guarantee that God will judge righteously. (2 Thessalonians 1:4-5)
- Will reign with him. (2 Timothy 2:12a)
- Spirit of glory rests upon. (1 Peter 4:14)
- Glory is brought to God. (1 Peter 4:16; 1 Corinthians 4:9)
- Reason for joy. (1 Peter 4: 13-14)
Place and power of prayer
- Prayer is desired and required for persecuted believers. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)
- Our prayers help struggling believers. (Romans 15:30-33)
- God works as we pray. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)
- Spiritual battle requires spiritual weapons. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18)
- The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:16b-18)
Some possible forms persecution may take
- By slander (evil report). (Psalm 31:13; Job 19:18; 55:12-14; Luke 6:22)
- Shame. Open embarrassment, dishonour or disgrace. Manner in which our Lord was accused of being conceived, born out-of-wedlock, the manner in which His nakedness was openly displayed on the cross. (Hebrews 13:13; 11:26)
- Falsely accused. (Psalm 35:11; 27:12; Matthew 5:11; Luke 23:2,5,10; Mark 14:55-60; Acts 6:13; 16:19-23; 26:2,7)
- Ensnare through deceit, trapping, tricks, seeking ways to accuse. (Daniel 6:4,5; Luke 11:53-54; Matthew 10:16-18)
- Object of conspiracy. (2 Samuel 15:1-12; Genesis 37:18; 2 Corinthians 11:32; Acts 9:23)
- Mocked --to scorn, to scoff, to sneer, to make fun of ((Psalm 42:3; Job 12:4; Matthew 27:29,31,41; Acts 2:13; 17:18,32; Hebrews 10:33; 11:36)
- Betrayed -- treated treacherously. (Matthew 24:10; Luke 21:16; Psalm 41:9)
- Despised -- to have contempt for, to loathe, to think nothing of, to consider without honor. (1 Corinthians 1:28; 4:10c)
- Hated by family. (Matthew 10:21,34-36; Micah 7:6; Luke 21:16)
- Hated by men. (Luke 21:17; Matthew 10:22; Job 19:19)
- Defamation of character, libel, slander, evil report. (Psalm 31:13; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:13)
- Feared by own people. (Acts 9:26)
- Subject to special trials. (1 Corinthians 4:9-14; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
- Imprisoned. (Luke 21:12; Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4; 16:24; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:23c; Hebrews 11:36b)
- Beaten. (Acts 5:40; 16:23; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:24; Matthew 10:17)
- Contradicting. (Acts 13:45)
- Stir against. (Acts 6:12; 13:50; 14:2,19; 19:23,26,29; 21:27)
- Press charges before authorities. (Acts 18:12; Matthew 10:17-18
- Threatened. (Acts 4:18,21; 5:40)
- Stoned. (Acts 7:58-59; 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 11:37
- Expulsion. (Acts 13:50; John 16:2a)
- Exhaustion, extreme fatigue. (2 Corinthians 11:27)
- Hunger and thirst. (2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Corinthians 4:11)
- Suffer physical need. (1 Corinthians 4: 11; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Philippians 4:12; Hebrews 11:37)
- Martyrdom. (Luke 21:16; Acts 7:59; 12:2; John 16:2)
- Afflictions. (2 Timothy 1:8; 3:11; 4:5; Matthew 24:9; Psalm 34:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 6:4; Hebrews 10:32-33; 11:25,37; Colossians 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 3:7; James 5:10)
- Poverty. (2 Corinthians 6:10; Philippians 4:12)
- Loss of property and material goods. (Hebrews 10:34b)
