Persecution and Proclamation in the New Testament and the Early Church

One of the central themes running through the New Testament is the reality of – and response to – persecution. Biblically, the idea of persecution overlaps in part with the theme of suffering. But persecution is unique in the sense that it involves voluntary suffering for practicing and proclaiming one’s identity and message as a follower of Jesus.

Jesus commanded His followers to go and “make disciples” by proclaiming the good news of the gospel. And He taught them that, like Himself, they would necessarily suffer for doing so. Throughout the New Testament, there is a strong emphasis on the idea of suffering as a necessary part of proclaiming the gospel. According to Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher:

Only three books of the New Testament do not mention persecution. Four were especially written to encourage persecuted Christians, and persecution was a major topic of Jesus, Paul, Peter and John. Whole books were written for persecuted Christians . . . . The book of Acts contains only two chapters which do not mention persecution. Paul’s entire missionary practice and theology is saturated with the subject of martyrdom . . . .

In his work, ‘Through Many Tribulations: The Theology of Persecution in Luke-Acts’, Scott Cunningham picks up on the development of this theme in Luke’s writing:

Persecution is an undeniable significant element in the author’s development of plot in Luke-Acts. It is the frequent and sometimes climactic manifestation of conflict between the characters and is particularly directed against Jesus (in the Gospel) and his disciples (primarily in Acts).

This is not to say that the motivation for Christian persecution is always explicitly anti-Christian. Antagonism toward the gospel may not even be a conscious motivation in the mind of the persecutor. As Dr. Schirrmacher observes:

The reasons for the persecution of Christians are often multi-faceted and seldom purely religious. Political, cultural, national, economic and personal motives may also play a role . . . Queen Jezebel’s hatred toward God and His prophets was mixed with a desire for power, as well as for personal gain (1 Kings 16- 19). In St. John’s Revelation, hatred for the Church is augmented by political and economic issues . . . In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are imprisoned after exorcising a fortune telling demon out of a slave girl, because her owners are angry at the loss of their profit (Acts 16:16-24) . . . .

When the gospel message and gospel-inspired ministry become obstacles to these “non-religious” objectives, persecution becomes the natural response for sinners who resist God’s Word in pursuit of their own idolatrous goals. Beneath ostensibly “non-religious” pursuits, persecution is rooted in false worship. As idol worshippers grow weary under the burden of their idols, those who worship the true God find strength and resources in His “everlasting arms.” This contrast often provokes an increasingly negative reaction from those who worship false gods.

John Piper points out three aspects of escalating opposition to the gospel’s proclamation that shape the apostles’ experiences in Acts 1-7:

• • • The motives for arresting the apostles. The motives for the apostles’ arrest progress from theological annoyance (Acts 4) to envy and jealousy (Acts 5) and finally to hatred and slander (Acts 6-7).
    • The response to the apostolic witness. The response to the gospel message escalates from amazement (Acts 4) to anger (Acts 5) and ultimately to rage (Acts 7). Each time the apostles stand before the council and give a defence, the Jewish leaders’ reactions intensify.
    • The resolution to these encounters. The resolutions to these encounters with the gospel evolve from a verbal warning not to preach in Jesus’ name (Acts 4) to a violent warning accompanied by a beating (Acts 5) and finally to murder by a mob stoning (Acts 7).
    See also

    

    Proclamation

    A Theology Of Persecution

    June 18, 2023·0

This escalating opposition highlights the challenges faced by the apostles as they spread the gospel message. It also provides an illustration of what followers of Jesus may expect when they obey Him.

As we proclaim the gospel and engage in gospel-centred ministry, we must be prepared for persecution. But we must also be encouraged. Though Jesus promised His followers persecution, He also promised to be with them through all of it – even to the very end. And His Word provides us wisdom, comfort, and strength to navigate the challenges, and stand firm and faithful, amidst adversity.