The Persecution of the Church

Introduction

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

This document goes on to describe the freedom from tyranny that oppressed our ancestors as they developed a new form of government and way of life for the United States of America.

Later on, penned in 1787, the Constitution was written to establish how that Declaration of Independence was to be carried out in the laws of the land.

Preamble to the United States Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I mention these great documents as we have just celebrated our nations 248th birthday. Despite the directives that are laid out in these documents, there are many who are persecuted in some form for their adherence to these documents or for their stance against these documents. Humanity as always found a way to disagree. In some instances, that disagreement is so harsh, that lives are harmed and even extinguished at the hands of those who live by no rules or laws. Believe it or not, it finds its way into the places of worship. We see more than ever, a split in our country and in our churches. We are divided spiritually, politically, morally, and even administratively in how we should be. Persecution of churches is at an all time high. Persecution within churches is at an all time high. So what do we do to straighten this out? Just like our country was founded on these principles written in these documents, we are reminded through God’s Word that the church is also founded on truths that cannot be altered or changed.

Acts 14 reminds us of the example of the Apostles, specifically Paul and Barnabas. Even in the midst of persecution of all types of abuse, we have a model in which we can boldly and courageously exemplify.

Freely Speaking

The apostles, through the power of the Holy Spirit and because of what Christ had done for them, knew they had a message to share and could do so by freely speaking that message.

Acts 14:1–3 NIV84

1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

The Testimony of Truth

The could freely speak because of the testimony of truth that had changed their lives and compelled them to boldly speak. John 15:26

John 15:26 NIV84

26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

If you and I have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we too have the Spirit of truth who will help us testify about the saving power of Jesus.

What is your testimony of truth?

The Test of Telling

Notice it was not easy. There is always a test of the telling. Paul and Barnabas spoke effectively to a great number of Jews and Gentiles. Anytime that happens there will a test from naysayers. We see immediately that there were those that stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against what Paul and Barnabas would do. Maybe you have experienced that kind of back stabbing or had someone go against you.

Proverbs 29:10 (NIV84)

10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.

It comes with the territory of being a follower of Christ.

The Timeliness of Tenaciousness

But the timeliness of tenaciousness can be overcome by the power of the Gospel! Just like Paul and Barnabas, you and I are called to boldly share the love of God.

Romans 11:14 NIV84

14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.

I wrote our Scripture Writing plan verses yesterday and found myself seeing the times in which we live. Genesis 6:9-12

Genesis 6:9–12 (NIV84)

9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.

I could hardly finish because of the tears pouring down my cheeks. Even though this was about a time thousands of years ago, I saw images of our world today and my heart ache for those who have refused the Gospel and for those of us who are not sharing it like we should. But the example we have here in Acts 14 is that the boldly speaking of God’s word was confirmed with the message of God’s grace and that enabled them to carry on! Friend, are you weary? Are you thinking that you cannot make a difference?

Firmly Standing

Paul and Barnabas give us an example of firmly standing!

Acts 14:4–7 NIV84

4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the good news.

In the Midst of Division

Paul and Barnabas could firmly stand in the midst of division. Are we in the midst of division?There is so much that divides us today in the country and in this world! You and I can firmly stand on the Word of God in this time of division. The Bible fascinates me. In Exodus 33 when the Lord was revealing Himself to Moses, the people were divided and against how Moses was leading them. Moses about had enough. He whines a bit and complains to the Lord saying, “You have been telling me to lead these people but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.” Exodus 33:14

Exodus 33:14 NIV84

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then Moses complains and whines ever more. The Lord again confirms that He is with Moses. Then one of the sweetest expressions in all the Bible to me is stated: Exodus 33:21

Exodus 33:21 NIV84

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.

Somehow, Paul and Barnabas many years later realized that the call of God comes with the assurance of God. When we are about His work, we have a rock near Him on which we can stand in the midst of division!

In the Muck of Denial

Even in the muck of denial, God’s word promises us that we will be lifted out of it and placed firmly on that rock.

Psalm 40:2 (NIV84)

2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

God revealed to Paul and Barnabas that there was a plot afoot to harm them and God provided a way out of that harm for them.

In the Measure of Discipleship

The goodness of God helps us in our measure of discipleship. The nearer we are to God and His ways, the more we can trust Him and continue to do His work. Acts 14:7

Acts 14:7 NIV84

7 where they continued to preach the good news.

In the midst of division, in the muck of denial, their measure of discipleship kept them going. Too many people give up and give in these days because they are not rooted in what God has called them to do. In fact, I think we are in the situation in which we are in because we have become rootless in our faith. We don’t go deep enough and therefore are not strong enough nor committed enough to do the will of God. Paul and Barnabas give us the example in being grounded and rooted in the Word of God we can faithfully serve.

Faithfully Serving

Acts 14:8–19 NIV84

8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

Four things stand out as they faithfully served:

Ministry in the Name of Jesus

Ministry to the Glory of God

Ministry that Builds God’s Kingdom

Ministry in Oppression

Fundamentally Strengthened

Acts 14:21–28 NIV84

21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Through Encouragement

Who do you need to encourage in their walk with Christ?

Philippians 2:1–2 NIV84

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Through Enhancement

How can you enhance someone’s walk with Christ?

Colossians 2:6–7 NIV84

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Through Establishment

How can you help get someone established more in their walk with Christ?

Get them to church. Invite them to Sunday School. Bring them to Wednesday Night Prayer and Praise. Start a Bible Study and invite them to it. Build a prayer group. Paul and Barnabas knew what God had started in them could be started in others, despite the tough times in which they lived.

Acts 14:22 NIV84

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Believers became disciples. Disciples became leaders. Leaders committed to the grace of God led others to become believers. This led to more disciples and more leaders and again more believers. A vicious cycle or a vigorous one? Better yet, a victorious one! Are you part of the cycle?