This is a quote from the lyrics to the song, “Charlie Brown”, by Sha Na Na.
This title is somewhat fitting for persecution in the Western church.
The Greek root word for persecution is dioko. It means the following:
1. to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away
2. to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after
a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal
b) to pursue (in a hostile manner)
3. in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
a) to persecute
b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
4. without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone
5. metaph., to pursue
a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire
For some reason Paul does not call persecution a huge overwhelming monster, but instead calls it a thorn. Read 2 Cor. 12.
Persecution can occur because of the following:
1. Persecution for the Word’s sake.
2. Persecution for His name’s sake or bearing Christ’s name, “Christian.”
3. Persecution for godliness.
4. Persecution for the works of the flesh.
5. Persecution for the Church.
Scriptures regarding persecution for the Word’s sake.
Matt. 13:21, “Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of
the word, by and by he is offended.”
Mark 4:17, “And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
Acts 13:50, “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”
Gal. 5:11, “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offense of the cross ceased.”
Persecution for the Word’s sake occurs because of the revelation of Christ in the believer. This is persecution specialized and particular to the individual.
Scriptures regarding persecution for His name’s sake or bearing Christ’s name, “Christian.”
John 15:21, “But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name and on My account, for they do not know or understand the One Who sent Me.”
A non-believer might say, “So, you call yourself a Christian?” Then they go under the microscope of scrutiny. Paul even speaks of “perils among false brethren” in 2 Cor. 11:26, These “false brethren” did not like his doctrine. Yes, the doctrine that wrote 66% of the New Testament. Two out of three epistles of the New Testament were written by Paul. So, then it is not odd if the same doctrine is spoken that similar scenarios occur.
Scriptures regarding persecution for godliness.
2 Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, we grow in faith and glory as well. We grow in godliness according to the
grace in our lives. People who are ungodly do not find it very appealing if someone is godly and they aren’t. Carnal
Christians do this. “Since you aren’t carnal like me, brother or sister I’m going to let you have it.” According to the carnal
mind, this makes sense. I persecute you and put you down and therefore I win you lose. Nope, the persecutor really loses. In Romans 5 and 2 Cor. 12, the persecuted grow more in Christ. In other words, they become stronger, resilient, emboldened, fearless, compelled, consumed by Love, joyful, etc. Read in Acts 12. concerning James’ martyrdom by King Herod. In the course of events after his death you would think that would have quited things down a bit. Nope, it says, “The word of God grew and multiplied.” The revelation of Christ in the Church strengthened and grew more! What happened after James was martyred? King Herod was struck dead by the angel of the Lord and eaten by worms. Don’t mess with the Lord’s Church. There can be potentially, critical repercussions. Another example is Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.
Scriptures regarding persecution for the works of the flesh.
Acts 9:24-25, “But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the
disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.”
Paul just accepted the Lord in his heart and was not yet spiritually mature in Christ to minister the Word. He was a “new
born.” In my opinion (and personal salvation experience), his life was turned upside down. He was a new creation and wanted to tell the world. His motive was pure, but sound doctrine was not yet fully developed in him. So, he could have been killed, but the brethren helped him escape. Paul refers back to this experience in 2 Corinthians.
Sometimes the believer’s persecution can be self-inflicted or provoked by self-strength. If the believer is not ready for it
then the persecution could take its toll adversely. In Matthew and Mark above, it says, “They were immediately offended.” (Hebrews talks about not letting roots of bitterness rise up.)
The Word needs to be rooted, grounded and established by grace in the believer. Jesus talks about two houses built on two different foundations in the Gospels. One foundation is sand and the other bedrock. One is dead works, religion, the Old Covenant and the other is grace and Him being the Testator of the New Covenant.
Scriptures regarding persecution for the Church.
Acts 8:1, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
In my opinion, this is the inevitable future of the universal Church. Today, if Chinese or Middle Eastern Christians are being
martyred and Christians in the U.S. and Canada are going to Starbuck’s this tells me it is not persecution for the sake of
the Church, but it is persecution for His name’s sake, revelation of the Word and godliness. Global persecution will occur
for the Church when the Church grows into the full stature of Christ according to Ephesians. The Church will be the actual
Church Christ died for. The Church is a Theocracy and based on Christ as the Head of its government. The government of this world cannot co-exist with the government of Christ. This is when persecution arises globally because of the Church. And yes, other things happen during and after, but I am ending this blog here. That will be another blog. Blogs are great.
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