Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PERSECUTION

Suffering imposed on persons or groups, a common theme throughout the Bible (e.g., Esth. 3:6). God’s servants frequently faced opposition and hostility (1 Kgs. 18:13; Matt. 23:34-37; 1 Thess. 2:14-15). The psalmists struggled with hostile pursuers and sought divine deliverance (Ps. 7:1, 5[MT 2, 6]; 31:15[16]; 69:26-29[27-30]). The prophets also wrestled with opposition (cf. Acts 7:52) and prayed for vindication (Jer. 15:15; 17:18).

The intertestamental period saw intense suffering inflicted by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The horrible Maccabean martyrdoms, vividly described in 2 Macc. 6–7, challenged Jews and Christians to be faithful.

The NT contains frequent references to persecution (Mark 10:30; Luke 11:49-51; Gal. 6:12). Jesus was persecuted (Luke 4:29; John 5:16) and suffered mocking, beating, and crucifixion. He told his followers to expect similar treatment (Matt. 10:23; 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12; John 15:20; 16:2). These occasions were not to be feared, for the Holy Spirit would give them courage (Luke 12:11-12; 21:15; Acts 1:8).

Persecution continued in the early Church (Acts 5:17-42; 8:1; 11:19; 13:50; 14:19; 16:19-24); note the militant pre-Christian activities of Saul of Tarsus (8:3; 9:1-13; 22:4-8; 26:9-15). Herod Agrippa I put James to death (Acts 12:2), Stephen was martyred (7:54–8:1a), and Christians were persecuted by the emperors Nero and Domitian. Nevertheless the Spirit would empower disciples to bear witness in such unpromising circumstances (Acts 2:4; 4:8-13; 6:10; 7:55).

Paul wrote of his shame for having persecuted disciples (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13, 23; Phil. 3:6; cf. 1 Tim. 1:13) and counseled Christians to bless those who persecute them (Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:12-13). Paul declared that the resources he had discovered in Christ enabled believers to cope with any form of persecution (Rom. 8:31-39). He mentioned his own persecutions to encourage them in facing theirs (2 Cor. 1:5-7; 4:8-12; 12:10; cf. 2 Thess. 1:4; 2 Tim. 3:11-12).

1 Peter recalled the example of Christ’s suffering to strengthen believers who faced persecution and social ostracism (1 Pet. 2:18-25; 3:13-18; 4:1-2, 12-19). Similarly, Hebrews reminded readers to take encouragement in facing persecution from the example of Jesus and other heroes of faith (Heb. 12:1-4; 11:4-40). John likewise called Christians to follow Jesus, “the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 1:5; 3:14). Antipas had already suffered martyrdom (Rev. 2:13), and others might face similar persecution. However, they would overcome the demonic forces by using the same spiritual weapons which Christ had used (Rev. 12:11; 17:14; 21:7).

Persecution is taken seriously in the Bible, and the righteous are told to expect it (2 Tim. 3:12). Despite its painfulness, persecution can become a means of blessing to those who handle it in the right manner (Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:12-14).

Bibliography. G. Ebel and R. Schippers, “Persecution, Tribulation, Affliction” NIDNTT 2 (Grand Rapids, 1976): 805-9; C. G. Kruse, “Afflictions, Trials, Hardships,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, ed. G. Hawthorne, R. P. Martin, and D. G. Reid (Downers Grove, 1993), 18-20.

Allison A. Trites

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PERSECUTION

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)