"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Tertullian, 1st century AD
What the Bible tells us about Persecution
See Persecution around the World ~ Preparing for Persecution
Seeds of Persecution (the rising hatred for Biblical Christianity -- even in America!
Reason for Persecution: The Cross separates us from the world
John
15:18-21
“If
the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated
you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet
because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you... because
they do not know Him who sent Me."
John 16:1-4
“These
things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They
will put you out of the synagogues [today it might be from churches]; yes, the time is coming that
whoever
kills you will think that he offers God service. And these
things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But
these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember
that I told you of them."
John 17:14-18
"I
have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not
of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray
that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from
the evil one."
Galatians 5:11
"And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased."
Reasons for Persecution:
Hating Christianity
John 12:42-44
"Nevertheless
even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees
they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Following Jesus: Sharing in His suffering and promises
Matthew 10:16-20
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed
are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 20:23
"Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
Luke 22:20
"In
the same way, He took the cup after they had eaten saying, "This cup which
is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."
Romans 8:16-18
"The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and
if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed
we
suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Romans
8:35-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
2 Corinthians 4:7-11
"But
we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that
the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed;
we are perplexed,
but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck
down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of
the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Prophecy
Matthew
24:8-14
"...
you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake... And then many will be
offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false
prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the
love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."
Mark
13:11-13
"Now brother
will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children
will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And
you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end
shall be saved."
2
Timothy
3:1-5, 10-14
"But
know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,
slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…. And from
such people turn away!
"…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned ..."
Luke
21:12-16
"…they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death."
Revelation 17:6
"I
saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the
martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
Biblical Responses to Persecution