The Faithful Apologetic

Introduction

Why do you think that Christians and Christianity have been the objects of extreme persecution throughout its history?

1 Peter 3:8–22 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

William Tyndale, the man whom God would use to bring the Bible into the common language of the people of England is a perfect example:

Tyndale was a godly man who realized he was out of place among the clergy who were for the most part, themselves, filled with pride, pomp, and ignorance.

Tyndale realized there was no place for him in England to do the work of bringing the Word of God into the language of the common people. So he set out for Germany.

It was in a conversation with a clergy that became heated that Tyndale’s opponent said: We would rather be without God’s law than without the pope.

The New Encyclopedia of Christian Martyrs Martyrdom of William Tyndale (2)

Tyndale, full of godly zeal, replied: “I defy the Pope and all his laws.” He added that if God spared him life, ere many years, he would cause a boy who drives the plough to know more of the Scriptures than he did.

Ultimately Tyndale was betrayed and imprisoned in Filford Castle for 18 months before being condemned, tied to a stake and strangled and his ashes burned.

The New Encyclopedia of Christian Martyrs Martyrdom of William Tyndale (2)

“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” He was then strangled, and his remains burnt to ashes.

Background

The Promise of Christian Suffering

Jesus Promised Christians they would Suffer

The Nature of Christian Suffering

The Response to Christian Suffering