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Persevering When Persecuted – A Topical Bible Study

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The Certainty and Nature of Persecution

Matthew 5:10-12 — “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

We normally try to avoid persecution and view it as a bad thing. However, from this verse we can see that it is something to rejoice in, not complain about. Some are persecuted for their race, gender, mental abilities or other things. Jesus doesn’t say we will be blessed if we endure this kind of persecution. We are blessed if the catalyst behind the persecution is our holy lives and our close relationship to Him.

Being persecuted is a mark of true believers. It shows that we are living holy and uncompromising lives. A compromising and worldly person will not be persecuted. Why would he be? He is the same as everybody else. But a holy and righteous person will be persecuted because others will feel convicted by their lives. It shows that we are like Christ, who was also persecuted by the world.

What is the chance that we will be persecuted? It is not a probability that godly believers will be persecuted. It is a certainty. These verses completely dispel the myth of the prosperity gospel. Not only does God NEVER promise that we will live problem free lives, He promises the exact opposite. We need to count the costs and not be caught by surprise.

The world hates (and therefore persecutes us) because we are not of the world. What is the nature of the persecution?

• Hated and killed
• Slandered falsely
• Driven out
• Imprisonment
• Floggings
• Hunger, thirst, poorly clothed, homeless, roughly treated, slandered, scum of the world

How should we respond to persecutions? We should not complain about it. We should not merely accept it neutrally. We are to rejoice greatly when we are persecuted. We are not to be alarmed or intimidated. Indeed we have nothing to be afraid of. God is in control. Don’t fear men. They can harm our body, but they cannot harm our souls. Fear God who has control of both. We should always be ready to defend our beliefs, and make sure we are being persecuted for the right reasons.

Application — I will strive to defend the gospel against all attacks, but will do so without defending myself. If the Holy Spirit convicts me to speak out on something or make a public stand then I will do it and not hide anything.

— From our Bible study on Matthew 5:1-12

2 Timothy 3:12 — “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Jews from Antioch and Iconium chased Paul down and stoned him, leaving him for dead at Lystra. Timothy was supposed to “follow” these persecutions. As he followed Paul’s teaching, conduct, and purpose it would inevitably lead him to persecution. Timothy was not to let this sway him.

The godly in Christ will be persecuted. This says will be. Do not be surprised when persecution comes. We should expect it. Since we expect it, we should prepare for it. We should be ready. Like Paul told Timothy, we should be strong in grace. We should not be ashamed of the Lord or of His people.

Are we ready to give our lives for Christ? Are we ready to give our freedoms? While it seems like that day is far away, the world is changing. Governments are becoming increasingly opposed to the gospel. In our lifetimes we may see a large number of Christians all around the world being imprisoned or martyred for their faith. We should strengthen our relationship with God now so that we will be able to stand firm on the solid rock when the storms come.

Application — We must not allow pressures or persecutions to keep us from identifying with Christ or serving Him. We must not be surprised when they come. We must develop a deep relationship with Christ so that the root we have in Him will allow us to stand unshaken when the storm winds blow.

— From our Bible study on 2 Timothy 3

Facing False Accusation

Acts 6:8 — “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.”

Stephen was a deacon. He was not one of the twelve apostles. However, that did not mean that his role wasn’t important or that God couldn’t use him in a powerful way. Stephen was full of grace and power. At first glance, these qualities seem to contradict. We often think that a graceful person is gentle and meek while a powerful person is loud, persuasive, and forceful.

Jesus combined these two qualities perfectly. He was bold. He was never afraid of the religious leaders. If something needed to be said, He said it without fear of the consequences. At the same time, He was not harsh or rude. He showed compassion and mercy. Stephen followed in Jesus’ footsteps. For him, there was no backing down when facing the high-stakes pressure of the religious leaders who were persecuting him. At the same time, Stephen was preaching forgiveness and mercy. He was acting not out of pride or hate, but out of love. It was his desire to see his countrymen saved. Even if it meant death, he would continue preaching to them in the hopes that some would hear and believe.

Reflect — In what situations do we need to show grace? In what situations do we need God’s power? How can you grow in gracious communication? How can you grow in boldness?

Application — Being balanced can often be difficult. If we depend on ourselves, we will often be either timid or arrogant. Let us depend on God and pray that He will help us know when to be firm and when to show mercy.

Where God is working, Satan often comes to oppose Him. In this case, Stephen was preaching God’s Word with power. The enemy did not like it. He found some willing pawns and stirred them up to oppose God’s work.

Application — Do not expect that when you serve God, everybody will applaud you. Often you will face opposition from outside the body of Christ. Sometimes you will even face opposition from inside the church. Do not be caught by surprise. Remember to live to please God rather than man.

— From our Bible study on Acts 6:8-14

Acts 5:41 — “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

It should not surprise us if the world falsely accuses us. Jesus was slandered and convicted by a kangaroo court. Christ is the ultimate example of suffering for doing what is right. He was the only perfect person who has ever lived and took on the sins of the entire world. He suffered for doing what is right, but those who did it to Him will bear the ultimate shame of making the ultimate mistake.

The apostles rejoiced when they were beaten. It wasn’t that they enjoyed the pain, but they counted it as an honor (and perhaps an indication of the sincerity of their faith) that they could suffer for Jesus. Many of the early church martyrs viewed persecution as an honor.

This can be hard for a comfort-driven, well-off Christian today. The very idea of persecution also flies in the face of the Prosperity Gospel, which teaches that God wants to bless all believers with health and wealth. That wasn’t the case with Jesus, the early disciples, or Paul. In fact, the Biblical promise is that genuine followers of Christ will face persecution.

Reflect — Have you experienced persecution or slander? How did you respond? Are you ready to face persecution as the heat on Christians turns up?

— From our Bible study on Acts 24

Why God Allows It

John 15:20 — “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

Jesus laid out the relationship of believers to Him, the relationship of believers to each other, and now the relationship of believers to the world. Jesus is preparing the disciples by telling them that they will be hated and persecuted by the world. Why? They hate Jesus/God. People in the world don’t like authority. They don’t want to answer for the wrong things they have done. We’re not of the world. The world says to live and let live. But believers speak out against sinful lifestyles. Even if their words don’t, their lives do. They don’t know God. So who do they know? Satan. Their father is Satan and as we know Satan is fighting continually against God. So of course Satan will use them as puppets to try to suppress Christianity.

If we live godly lives we will face persecution. That is a guarantee. We should not seek persecution. But neither should we try to avoid it by keeping our faith a secret.

Reflect — Why does God allow persecution?

• Persecution sifts the chaff from the wheat. Without the “weeds” of unbelievers negatively influencing the church, the wheat is more healthy and fruitful.
• Persecution often causes more rapid reproduction. Large churches split into smaller ones, increasing their point of contact with the world around them.
• Persecution often fast-tracks leadership development. For example, if one church splits into four, you need four preachers instead of one.
• Persecution creates a clear division between the kingdom of this world and God’s kingdom. During persecution, believers are less likely to compromise with the world.
• Persecution teaches believers to depend on God. When everything is smooth, we may be tempted to trust in ourselves. Persecution reminds us that we are not sovereign. God is.
• Persecution brings about many amazing testimonies. The world sees the power of faith in action.
• Persecution often unifies the church. It draws believers closer together as it highlights their common bond.
• Persecution shifts believers’ focus from earthly things to heavenly things. It causes the loss of security, career, and wealth. That in turn changes our perspective and helps us refocus our hope on God.

Reflect — What is the worst persecution you have faced? How did it help you to grow spiritually?

Facing persecution is a great opportunity to stand for Christ and shine as a light. Many of the most effective believers are ones who were persecuted, but stood for Christ and in the process reached many people for Christ. If we give into persecution we are just proving to the world that God has no power and it is not real. So we must stand strong. And we must give a blessing instead. Corrie ten Boom opened a house for the Dutch who helped the Nazis. She went and told the guard she forgave him. The power of a kind word spoken to someone who hates us can be truly amazing.

— From our Bible study on John 15:9-27

Paul’s Example in Prison

Philippians 1:12 — “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,”

Paul practiced what he preached. He often taught others to be joyful, not to complain, to trust God in every circumstance, and to realize that God is sovereign over everything. He didn’t just say that because it was always others who were in trouble and never himself. Paul faced many more hardships than the average share. Yet he never complained. He was joyful in the Philippi prison, and now he continued to be joyful while imprisoned in Rome. His chief goal was for the gospel to be spread, and he recognized that this situation afforded many unique opportunities to disseminate the gospel.

Application — Don’t focus on the negative things or become a complainer. If you complain, against whom are you complaining? God has a reason for everything. Can you share an example of something difficult that happened in your life that God used for good?

What concrete benefits were there for Paul being imprisoned?

• More time for prayer.
• More time for writing epistles.
• A testimony that others could look to so that they might become bold in their own sharing. We have modern-day examples of this as well. After Jim Elliot and his friends gave their lives to reach the Quechua Indians, it sparked a movement of missionaries around the world. This is one reason we must always be joyful and take advantage of the opportunities we have. Our reactions can influence others as well.
• Opportunities to share with people who would have been particularly hard to share with in normal circumstances, such as his prison mates and guards.
• More time for meditation in his own walk with the Lord.

Application — Are you regularly sharing the gospel? When was the last time you shared with someone? Spend a few minutes thinking about who in your circle you could pray for.

— From our Bible study on Philippians 1:1-18

Philippians 1:21 — “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

We do see Paul show some concern in his imprisonment. What is his concern? It is not fear or worry for his future or his physical well-being. He is instead concerned that his testimony will suffer and that he will not bring glory to Christ. If Paul did have to face death and, in fear for his life, renounced Christ, made excuses for his behavior, or tried to backpedal, it would put him to shame and not exalt Christ. He wanted to be bold. Whatever would happen, Paul was resolved to exalt Christ first and foremost with his actions and words.

Application — We should look at our own lives and the trials that we go through. Then we should consider our own attitudes. Are we scared of making a stand for God? If Christ were sitting next to us, would He be ashamed of us? Would we be ashamed knowing He is watching?

Following is the story of a martyr, Felix Manz, and his friends who boldly stood for Christ and showed no shame but testified to the Lord until their deaths. In 1525 Zwingli and Manz split over the issue of infant baptism. The city council sided with Ulrich Zwingli. Felix Manz and his friends were ordered to recant and have their infants baptized. Not only did Manz and friends refuse, but they immediately held a meeting and conducted adult baptisms, a crime the Zurich city council made punishable by drowning within two months.

Felix Manz would prove the first victim of the wrath of the city council and Ulrich Zwingli. On January 5, 1527, Felix was led from prison to a boat. On the way, he praised God and preached to the people gathered to watch him die. He was put into a boat on the river Lammat. His hands were tied, and he was made to squat down. A stick was stuck behind his knees and above his elbows to immobilize him, and he was taken to the middle of the river. There, with his mother, brother, and his fellow “rebaptizers” shouting encouragement, he was tipped into the lake, a final death by baptism. He was not horrified nor afraid. His last words were, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

— From our Bible study on Philippians 1:19-30

Philippians 1:29 — “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”

Paul uses the word “granted,” which is similar to the word “given.” It is almost as if it is a favor, a privilege. Indeed, it is a privilege to suffer for Christ. The verse shows that believers should expect to suffer. If we expect it, it will help us to prepare mentally and spiritually and to commit ahead of time to standing firm in the face of pressure. When we do face troubles for Christ, we should thank God that we are worthy to suffer for Him. And we should make sure that the reason we are suffering is the right reason and that we respond to it correctly, being a good testimony for Him.

Beyond this, we see Paul exhorting the Philippians to be unified. His absence would leave a void where it would be easier for false leaders to enter or divisions to rise up. He desired unity. We should stand firm together with one spirit and one mind pushing one another forward towards God and spreading the Word.

Application — Share about a time you have suffered for Christ. How was your response? How should you respond?

— From our Bible study on Philippians 1:19-30

Nothing Can Separate Us

Romans 8:35-37 — “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

One key of overcoming is knowing the truth. The truth is that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Jesus loving you does not mean you will not face these things. He doesn’t promise you an easy or carefree life. He doesn’t promise to deliver you out of all tribulation or persecution. You might face these things. But He will love you even in the midst of them.

In this world you will have trouble. Much of the world is becoming increasingly hostile toward believers. Right now that hostility is often a war of words. Sometimes pressure and intimidation is used to try to force believers to compromise on the truth. And sadly, it often works.

Christian writer and preacher Max Lucado was asked to speak at an event in February. Before the event, LGBTQ supporters uncovered a message he preached in 2004 defending Biblical principles of marriage. He was attacked. So he apologized. And he said, “faithful people may disagree about what the Bible says about homosexuality” and “they are beloved children of God.” The Bible is clear about this issue. And children of God are those who receive Him and believe in His name, not everyone.

The point is this, if you follow Jesus, there will be pressure, intimidation, opposition, persecution. The question is, whose love do you desire more. Will you seek after the world’s affirmation? Will you try to please people? Or will you try to please Jesus? If so many Christians fall away at the first sign of pressure, what will happen when the real persecution starts?

Brothers and sisters, God does not promise an easy life. If you are looking for a comfortable, easy life, look elsewhere. But if you are looking for an abundant life, lived in the power and love of Christ, look no further. You will face trouble. But take heart, Jesus will not stop loving you. He will not abandon you. Jesus has overcome the world. Through Him you can overcome too.

— From our Bible study on Overcoming Through Christ

Living Faithfully Under Pressure

1 Peter 3:14 — “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,”

Generally speaking if we do what is right, we won’t be punished for that. Normally governments will punish those who do crimes and break the law. In addition, we know that God is in control. He can protect us from any earthly force like He did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This should motivate us once again to be passionate for right. It is not just about doing what is right, but being zealous for it. Look for opportunities to show kindness and love. Look for opportunities to do good deeds. Rejoice when you get such an opportunity.

Daniel’s three friends said that God could save them, but even if He didn’t, that they still wouldn’t worship the idol. There would be some cases where in God’s supreme will He would allow us to suffer and be persecuted. In this case, we should consider it a blessing. We do not need to fear any man because God is sovereign over all men.

Here is another reminder to keep up a godly Christian testimony (like Daniel) so that the opposition cannot find anything to accuse about which may tarnish the reputation of the church and the gospel.

— From our Bible study on 1 Peter 3:8-22

We hope you enjoyed this Bible study on persecution. May God use His Word to speak into your life and give you strength to follow it. Please take some time to reflect on the questions below and consider leaving a comment with your key takeaway or insight.

Reflection Questions

• Are we ready to give our lives for Christ? Are we ready to give our freedoms?
• Have you experienced persecution or slander? How did you respond?
• What is the worst persecution you have faced? How did it help you to grow spiritually?
• Can you share an example of something difficult that happened in your life that God used for good?
• Are you regularly sharing the gospel? When was the last time you shared with someone?
• Are we scared of making a stand for God?
• Share about a time you have suffered for Christ. How was your response? How should you respond?
• When is a time you had to choose between pleasing the world and pleasing God?
• How can we be better prepared to defend our faith? How should we treat those that scoff at us for that faith?