A Biblical Perspective on Persecution

The Barnabas Ministry

A Biblical Perspective on Persecution
It is astonishing how much persecution is discussed in the New Testament. This article will examine the highlights and some especially significant biblical concepts concerning persecution.

Persecution and Criticism
A good place to start a consideration of the similarities and differences between persecution and criticism is a dictionary. Mine is Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Springfield MA 1977. What does it say about these terms?

"Persecute"- 1. to harass in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically to cause to suffer because of belief; 2. to annoy with persistent or urgent reproaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities): PESTER. (p. 855). The Greek term for persecute is "dioko." It is used 44 times in the NT; it's key elements are hostility and active pursuit.

"Criticize"- 1. to consider the merits and demerits and judge accordingly: EVALUATE; 2. to stress the faults of: cavil (raise trivial and frivolous objection) at (ibid, p. 178, 270). The Greek term for criticize is "diakrino." It is used 18 times in the NT and carries with it the ideas of doubt, hesitation, distinction, recognize. Another term is "anakrino," meaning examination or judgment; it is used 14 times in the NT.

So what is the difference between criticism and persecution? Persecution is being aggressively sought out for harassment and destruction. On the other hand, everyone and everything is open to criticism. Some "noble criticism" is done with honesty, even-handedness and love. Some criticism is done in the absense of these traits and amounts to persecution in accordance with the dictionary definition above. The intent of this criticism is to destroy.

So when this article speaks of persecution, it is harassment in a manner "designed to injure, grieve or afflict" (see dictionary definition above) that is in view.

The rest of this article will discuss persecution from a Scriptural point of view.

Overview of Persecution
NT Books Discussing Persecution
The DDIM Elements of Persecution

Overview of Persecution
Persecution is the "Flip Side" of the Great Commission
Persecution was promised by Jesus. The one who commanded that his followers teach the nations (Mt 28:19) also foresaw that his followers would be hated by all nations (Mt 24:9). Elsewhere he commented that this hatred for his followers was because of their differences from everyone else (Jn 15:18).

Because Christian conversion impacted both the life and beliefs of people (1Tim 4:16), persecution would result from differences in each of these areas. The ungodly would persecute because of the Christian pursuit of a godly life (2Tim 3:12). And religious people would persecute as the result of the challenge to opposing religious teachings and ideas (2 Tim 2:26, 2 Cor 11:15).

Response to Persecution
So how did Jesus teach his followers to respond to persecution? First, he warned them to be on their guard concerning it (Mk 13:9), because it could make some fall from the faith (Mt 13:21). It should not be taken lightly.

Jesus also taught rejoicing in times of persecution for righteousness (Mt 5:10-12). He also taught love and prayer for persecutors (Mt 5:44). He also taught that there would be a time to flee from persecution (Mt 10:23).

Rather than avoid persecutors initially, the early Christians spoke kindly to persecutors (Rom 12:14, 1 Cor 4:12-13). They took advantage of opportunities to correct misunderstandings (Acts 6:10, 2Tim 2:24-26) and silence their critics like Jesus did (Mk 11:27-12:34). Even when opponents were unpersuaded, the believers were encouraged by a robust defnese of the faith (Acts 18:27-28, cf. Pro 26:4-5, Eccl 3:7). Indeed, times of persecution often brought out the very best in other brothers (Phil 1:14). Christians only fled from persecutors in extreme cases (e.g. Acts 8:1, 14:6,14:19-20, 17:10, 17:14).

NT Books Discussing Persecution
The New Testament has three sets of writings that deal extensively with persecution. It is quite beneficial for us to consider what each one says about persecution.

1 Peter

Abuse was in the form of insults because of avoiding "pagan" practices:

4:4 failure to plunge into flood of debauchery

Verbal persecution

4:4 abuse
2:12 accusations of wrongdoing
3:9 insults and evil (also 4:14)
1:6 grief in trials
4:12 painful trial

Recommended Course of Action

4:12 don’t be surprised
1:17 trust God, live good lives (also 2:12, 3:16, 2:20, 4:2, 4:15, 4:19)
2:23 no retaliation or threats but trust in God
3:9-12 return evil and insults with blessing (eulogontes)
3:15 be prepared to answer with reasons for your hope, with gentleness and respect

Reward

3:14 receive a blessing for persecution for the sake of righteousness

Pastorals (1/2 Timothy, Titus)

Controversies, quarrels, etc.

1 Tim 1:3 promoting controversy vs. love
1 Tim 6:3-4 unhealthy interest in controversies
2 Tim 2:14 Quarrels ruin those who listen
2 Tim 2:22 foolish and stupid arguments lead to arguments and should be avoided
2 Tim 3:5 have nothing to do with those having a form of godliness but denying its power
Tit 3:9 avoid foolish controversies—unprofitable and useless

Dealing with opponents

2 Tim 2:25 gently instruct, kind to all, able to teach, not resentful
2 Tim 4:3-5 correct, rebuke, encourage--- keep your head!
Tit 1:9 refute those who oppose with sound doctrine
Tit 3:2 True humility towards all men

Observations:

If some controversies are foolish, then some controversies are not foolish. Some interest in controversies (those that are not foolish) is necessary.
Gentle instruction of opponents with sound doctrine

Acts

1. Instances of preaching to a hostile audience

By Peter

4:8 Sanhedrin
5:29 Sanhedrin

By Stephen

6:9 Synagogue of the Freedmen
7:2 Sanhedrin

By Saul/Paul

9:22 Damascus
9:29 Jerusalem
13:6 Paphos
13:44 Synagogue in Pisidian Antioch
14:3 Gentiles and Jews in Iconium
16:19 Civil authority in Philippi
17:18 Areopagus in Athens
18:6 Corinth
19:9 Ephesus
22:1 Jerusalem
23:1 Sanhedrin
24:1 Governor Felix
25:1 Governor Festus
26:1 King Agrippa
28:17 Jews in Rome

By Apollos

18:28 Achaia

2. Characteristics of defenses

Terms of familiarity and respect as appropriate

7:2 brothers and fathers (andres adelphoi kai pateres)
17:22 men of Athens (andres athenoi)
22:1 brothers and fathers (andres adelphoi kai pateres)
21:30, 22:2 spoke in their dialect
23:1 brothers (andres adelphoi)
24:10 respect to civic authority (also 26:1)
28:17 brothers (andres adelphoi)

Righteousness, spirituality, integrity and consistency

6:10, 13:9 filled with the Spirit
7:60 forgiveness
21:21 performance of actions that refute the claim of an opponent
24:11 righteous actions in and around the temple (also 25:8, 26:4, 28:17)
28:19 no charges to bring against them (simply teaching them to obey)

Building of bridges

7:3ff Common personal history and experiences
17:22 common bond of religion, the unknown god
17:28 quotation of popular secular sources familiar to hearers
22:3 shared religious heritage and experiences
23:6 identification as a Pharisee, one of them (also 24:21, 26:5)
26:3 familiarity of hearer with issues under consideration

Ability to debate and prevail

6:9-10 answered arguments/questions with wisdom and the Spirit
9:22 baffled (Gr sugcheo, confusion) the Jews
9:22 proved (Gr sumbibadzo) Jesus is the Christ
9:29 talked (Gr laleo) and debated (Gr sudzeteo, ask) Jews
18:28 vigorously refuted Jews in public debate, proving Jesus the Christ
18:27-28 disciples encouraged by Apollos’ victory in debate
19:9-10 discussions overcame the slander of the opposition
28:22 people wanted to know the views
28:24 some convinced after hearing

Confession of own sin

22:19 confessed own persecution, beating and murder (26:9)
23:5 recantation of outburst against the high priest

Appeal to conscience

4:19-20 Cannot help speaking about what has been seen and heard
23:1 fulfilled duty in conscience to God
24:16 keep conscience clear

Appeal to obedience to God above all

4:19-20 obey God or men? Cannot help speaking
5:29 my obey God rather than men
26:19 obedience to the vision of God

Appeal to God’s role: God (not the believer) is the one who "did it"

4:10 God raised Jesus
5:30-32 God raised and exalted Jesus
17:31 God has set a day of judgment

Cite sources of hearers

22:3 trained by Gamaliel
22:5 high priest and Council can testify
22:12 Ananias

Division of opponents

23:1 divided Pharisees and Sadducees over critical issues

Understanding the critical issue of the hearers, and a direct refutation of their position

4:10-12 The name of Jesus brought healing and salvation (Sanhedrin)
9:22 Proved Jesus was the Christ to Jews
22:3 shared conversion (26:12)

Connection between controversial events and the fulfillment of God’s plans

26:6 appeal to the hope of God, Israel and the resurrection (26:22ff, 28:20)
26:23 the mission of Christ

Confrontation of sin of hearers

7:51 like forefathers who resisted the HS and persecuted the prophets
7:52-3 killed Jesus, did not obey the law
13:9-10 child of the devil
17:29 ignorance overlooked, but repentance commanded

3. Other Observations

Tactics of the opponents

4:7 by what power or name did you do this?
4:18 warned not to speak in Jesus’ name
5:28 disobeyed their "orders" and filled Jerusalem with their teaching
6:11 distortion and lies about their teaching
7:60 mob action-- murder
9:23, 29 conspiracy to murder
13:8 tried to pull away a new (potential?) convert
13:45 jealousy, talked abusively
14:5 plot to stone them
16:19 Paul cast out a demon and was thrown in jail for it
17:18 a babbler, or advocating foreign gods
18:6 abusive
18:12 Jews took Paul to civil court
19:9 publically maligned the way
23:12 conspiracy to murder
28:22 speaking against this sect

God’s reassurance in the battle against opponents

18:9-11 I am with you, no one will harm you

The "brothers" relieving Paul from persecution

9:25 sent through hole in wall in Damascus
9:30 sent to Tarsus from Jerusalem
17:10 Thessalonica to Berea
17:14 Berea to Athens

Refusal to engage opponents in discussion when opponents were:

13:45ff jealous, abusive, rejected gospel
14:5 plot to murder
18:6 abusive
19:9 obstinate, slanderous

Demanding legal rights

16:37 rights violated
22:25 cannot flog a Roman citizen without due process
22:29 caused opponents to withdraw
25:11 appeal to a higher court (28:19)

The DDIM Elements of Persecution

Formula: "DDIM": disaffected people + distortions + incite others + mob action = persecution

Jesus
Stephen

Other Case Histories

Acts 12:1 Herod and Jewish people killed James
Acts 13:44-45,49 jealousy of Jews, women of high standing and prominent men
Acts 14:5 Gentiles, Jews, leaders
Acts 14:19 Jews won the crowd over
Acts 16:22 crowd
Acts 17:5 Jews, jealousy, thugs, mob, riot

	Jesus	Stephen
Disaffected Person (s) Hurt Unhappy Threatened Motivated by revenge or desire to justify oneself	Mk 3:1-6 Pharisees in the synagogue, plot with the Herodians Mk 11:18 Chief priests and teachers of the law wanted to kill him because the people followed his teaching Lk 11:45 You insult us too! Lk 13:17 Opponents were humiliated Jn 12:4, 13:27 Judas was a disaffected "close friend" (Ps 41:9, 55:12-14)	Acts 6:9-10 Opposition from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Paul’s group) Could not stand up to what he said
Distortions and Lies Trick questions Only one part of a story or event Comments or actions removed from their context Outright lies	Mk 11:27, 12:13, 12:18 Trick questions over time Mk 14:55-56 Looking for a story, finally found 2 issues Mk 14:57-58 Destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days Mk 14:61 Are you the Christ? Lk 23:1 Presented distortions and lies to Pilate Subverting the nation (distortion) Opposes paying taxes (lie) Claims to be a king (distortion) Jn 18:36 Jesus answered the distortion	Acts 6:11 Persuaded some to give false testimony about Stephen concerning Moses and God Acts 6:14 Destroy this place, change the customs of Moses Acts 7:1 Are these charges true?
Incite Others Going to others with the distortions for support and validation May involve a carefully devised scheme to manipulate others	Mk 14:1 A sly way to manipulate the situation Mk 14:10 Judas, a "former member" conspires with enemies (Ps 41:9, 55:12-14) Lk 23:1 Persuade Pilate by playing to his perception Mk 15:6-15 Persuaded the crowd to release Barabbas the "hero"	Acts 6:12 Stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law Brought before the Sanhedrin
Mob Action Frenzied crowd response Appears spontaneous, but is carefully orchestrated Based upon distortions and lies	Mk 15:13-14 The crowd shouted "Crucify him"	Acts 7:54 Furious and gnashed their teeth Rushed at him, dragged him out of the city Began to stone him Acts 8:1 a great persecution broke out against the church starting on that day