Persecution from Governing Authorities
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Definition of Religious Persecution
Definition of Religious Persecution
“any unjust action of varying levels of hostility directed to religious believers through systematic oppression or through irregular harassment or discrimination resulting in various levels of harm as it is considered from the victim’s perspective, each action having religion as its primary motivator.” Dr. Charles Tieszen - Fuller Seminary
Acts 4:1-22
Acts 4:1-22
What provoked the persecution?
Peter and John healed a paralyzed man at the temple gate:
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
Peter preached to the crowd that gathered around them in Solomon’s portico:
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
They were teaching and proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus
greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
2. Who were the perpetrators of the persecution?
The priests: Most likely High Priests and their families (1, 6)
The captain of the temple: The same entity that arrested Jesus. The captain was the 2nd most powerful person in Jerusalem , apart from the Roman governor and army. (1)
The Sadducees: A powerful and influential class of religious leaders. They had close ties with Roman authority. (1)
The rulers: Probably people in various positions of authority such as heads of government departments and committees (5)
The elders: highly regarded older men who possessed significant influence in Jerusalem (5)
The scribes: responsible to know and copy the Scriptures (5)
Individuals: Annas the High Priest (deposed by Romans years before), Caiaphas (son-in-law to Annas who the Romans installed as High Priest), John & Alexander (members of the High Priest’s family). Annas and Caiaphas both conspired in the trial of Jesus - Jesus having appeared before each of them.
3. What was the form of the persecution?
arrest & threats
And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:21 (ESV)
And when they had further threatened them....
4. How did the victims of the persecution respond?
With respect: rulers of the people and elders (8)
With objection: if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man (9)
With boldness: let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel (10)
With confrontation: by the name of Jesus whom you crucified (10)
With Christ: see vss 10-12
5. What were the results of the persecution?
the salvation of many (perhaps Peter and John’s persecution was an indirect means God used)
But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
the proclamation of the gospel
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The persecutors’ efforts to discredit the gospel message and messengers were stopped.
But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
The resolve to proclaim the gospel was strengthened
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
God was praised
And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Acts 5:17-42
Acts 5:17-42
What provoked the persecution?
A sober and esteemed posture towards the apostles had set in among many of the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding communities.
None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.
Many conversions to Christ were reported and the apostles were regarded as powerful men of God among the masses.
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The high priest along with the other religious religious leaders became jealous of the apostles and the attention they were receiving from the people.
But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy
In addition to the attention the apostles were receiving from the people, it must be noted that the proclamation of Christ was recognized as the root cause of the displays of power and they people’s response to the apostles’ ministry. Even the enemies of Christ made this connection.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
2. Who were the perpetrators of the persecution?
Same group from Acts 4. The same group involved in the arrest of Jesus.
3. What was the form of the persecution?
arrest and threats and physical abuse
4. How did the victims of the persecution respond?
With a clear commitment to what God had called them to do above all unpleasant circumstances, obstacles, fears and frustrations with which they contended as a result of their obedience to God.
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
With respect to the governing authorities
Acts 5:25–27 (ESV)
And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.....
With resolve to preach the gospel
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
5. What were the results of the persecution?
The gospel was proclaimed and many were saved.
The hatred of the apostles from the governing authorities increased.
Acts 5:33 (ESV)
When they heard this [Peter’s proclamation of the gospel], they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
Recognition from some of the governing authorities it is best to possess a respect or fear of God
So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,
The praise of Christ from those who suffered persecution
and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
The gospel continued to spread
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 6:8-7:60
Acts 6:8-7:60
What provoked the persecution?
A deacon by the name of Stephen, after being recruited to serve the Helenists so the apostles could continue to give themselves to the ministry of prayer and the word, was empowered by God to preach and to do great signs and wonders among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Many of the Jews rejected Stephen’s preaching, but could not refute what he proclaimed. (Acts 6:10)
Instead, they instigated a riot, reported false accusations about Stephen to the governing authorities and produced false witnesses to support their accusations.
Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Stephen responded to these charges by summarizing the story of God’s redemption of His people culminating in an indictment of his persecutors as being rejectors and enemies of God.
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
2. Who were the perpetrators of the persecution?
Fellow Jews, elders, scribes, the High Priest and Saul the Pharisee
3. What was the form of the persecution?
Arrest and death
4. How did the victims of the persecution respond?
With a steadfast focus on Christ
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
With complete dependence on Jesus
And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
5. What were the results of the persecution
As followers of Christ were scattered, the gospel spread and churches were planted.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
Enemies of Christ were converted to Christ
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Takeaways
Takeaways
The church’s persecution by governing authorities does not suspend the primacy of her mandate to make disciples.
The church should not be surprised of her obedience to make disciples provokes persecution from governing authorities.
The church must not use persecution from governing authorities as justification for showing disrespect to those who hold office.
The church should not hesitate to reject and defend against false accusations governing authorities (and others) may levy against her, but must not loose sight of her call to proclaim Christ in the midst of her effort to defend against lies.
The church cannot shrink back from calling out sin as sin, evil as evil, distinguishing right and wrong, proclaiming the need for repentance and the exclusivity of Jesus as the one true and living Savior as she is being persecuted to her persecutors.
The church must recognize that her persecution may be part of God’s redemptive purposes.
The church must see that Jesus is her only hope while enduring persecution.