THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO PERSECUTION

 

Acts 4:22-37

 

Giving thanks in the midst of sorrow and brokenness is certainly not easy to do. Peter and John were just released, but threated by the religious zealots, and powers over them. They returned not in a state of fear and sadness, but of exhilaration. They just preached to Sanhedrin and they were granted the privilege of suffering for their Lord. As Paul said this, that I “…. may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Phil 3:10. They responded correctly, and this is where the church comes in, especially when we face persecution alone, or as a group. The church’s response to persecution, should primarily be with grace, prayer, and perseverance… rather than: retaliation, we draw from the teachings of Jesus to love our enemies and forgive our oppressors. This posture prioritizes bold faith, spiritual endurance, and mutual support within the global body of believers, especially here, in the local church. Giving thanks, helps us to focus on God in our weakness and to have a greater appreciation for our heavenly home. Giving thanks, steers us away from complaining, and strengthens our faith to brings glory to God in the midst of tribulation or suffering.

The gospel is a great reminder of the hope that is to come for

the believer that goes through terrible times.

We are to be looking Heavenward to the hope of God and His sovereign delivering power over our enduring sufferings or present sorrow. This is where the believer rests their weary heads as they go through seasons of unrest; we rest in God’s sovereign arms of grace. In the midst of our sorrow there is hope and deep-seated joy that no one can steal away from the believer’s heart.

 

“Life is short and eternity is forever.”

 

Persecution is often viewed as a way to test and strengthen faith, build endurance, and share in the "fellowship of Christ's sufferings" James wrote to persecuted believers with these encouraging words. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness (unwavering loyalty) have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-6. Paul wrote, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for His sake,” Phil 1:27-29. This first taste of persecution is done to Peter and John, for the purpose to strengthen them all; even as we face possible persecution ourselves.

 

Persecution And The World’s Hostility Led To Genuine Worship. (v23-v28)

 

The community of believers worshipped together, acknowledging God as the Creator. They cite Psalm 2:1-2, recognizing that the opposition they face was prophesied and is part of God's overarching plan for His people and the church. Instead of praying for relief, they responded by worshipping God and acknowledging His absolute authority over human rulers. (v24b) They worshipped by seeking God for strength for boldness to continue their mission. We see similar examples when Paul and Silas sang hymns of praise in a Philippian prison after being beaten, demonstrating that circumstances cannot constrain genuine worship. “Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” Acts 16:24-25. Worship is an act of defiance against despair. God's presence can bring peace and breakthrough in the "midnight" (darkest) seasons of life. Many theologians have noted that the church is often purest during times of cultural hostility.

Without the comfort of social approval, faith is tested and becomes "more precious than gold," Peter wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

This shifts the believer's focus from temporary earthly comforts to eternal glory through Christ alone. Our worship is never to be superficial, but an upward praise from the depths of our hearts to the Heavenly realm where He is seated. (v24-v26) God loves us, but understand, as believers we will face opposition and persecution from this world system. Listen to what Jesus tells His disciples. “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:20-27

By trusting in a sovereign God, persecuted Christians are able to maintain an eternal perspective, viewing their temporary afflictions as a means to ultimately glorify Him. Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Rom 8:18. Jesus also said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt 5:10. Listen to these encouraging words by Paul, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor 4:8-9

 

We may be possibly thrown to the wolves of society,

But we will never be destroyed.

Why? Paul said so, Christ has conquered all things so we can face what is before us, in acts of worship in the suffering. That’s why He goes on to say, “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So, death is at work in us, but life in you.” 2 Cor 4:11-12. For the believer, we wrestle at times with this; but we ultimately rest in His promises found in the gospel of Christ, that brings us before God in worship. We are not to scream, or complain for this to stop; but that we would be refined by His grace to praise Him in the storms of life even if it hurts in the moment. Praise Him when we have little to no gas in the tank, when we are at our highest and lowest points of life, especially when the world shakes their fist in bitterness and anger.

 

Persecution And The World’s Hostility Led To Praying For The Saints. (v29-v31)

 

Instead of praying for the persecution to stop, they ask God to "consider their threats" and grant them the confidence to continue preaching and healing in Jesus' name. How powerful is that? To not ask for the persecution to stop, but they would have a boldness, and courage to speak into the lives of others with the gospel. Historically, attempts of evil men and women to extinguish the faith have frequently resulted in its rapid expansion. Take the stoning of Stephen, his tragic, but divine appointed death, caused the early church to scatter, which served to spread the message of Christ far beyond Jerusalem. In the next chapter after Stephen was brutally killed, we read. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.” Acts 8:4-5

 

These people, the church, petitions for more boldness and courage, not less or to seek the complacent life-style. The true church is in a literal war, while the earthly church continues to be accepted by the society at large. These people worshipped and they wanted God to give them courage to stand strong in the midst of their affliction. This chapter should speak volumes into our hearts today, considering that so many church, by name only bow the knee to the mob mentality of people today. They don’t complain, but they seek for courage to speak with a boldness, because they care about the souls of men and women. This is why Paul wrote, “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Rom 9:1-3

 

The only way we can make sense of anything in this life, is to look at our sufferings through the lens of Christ and the Cross.

The cross reveals the brokenness of mankind and our separation to a holy God.

The cross reveals His healing power as we go through the sufferings of this life.

The cross reveals His love, mercy, and grace, as we endure continual suffering.

The cross reveals that its the only way to ever understand our present sufferings.

 

The cross reveals that our ransom has been paid; the captives are set free from sin, and death, and this is all through Christ. The cross reveals the answer to all of life’s questions; because the cross reveals the brokenness of man, and the sin that held Christ there.

The cross is our hope in the midst of hurt,

pain and suffering, as revealed in the early church!

 

We understand this more clearly when we worship Him accordingly, when we are praying for His glory to shine through our suffering and weaknesses. (v29) Kent Hughes wrote in his commentary, “The character of the first century Christian church was marked repeatedly with unparalleled boldness. This is amazing, considering weeks before they scattered when they saw the lights coming towards them in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter huddling in a corner cursing, and denying he ever knew Jesus. When Jesus was being crucified John and Mary were there, but the rest fled out of fear. But that has all changed rather quickly, now the resurrection of Christ galvanized the faith of the early church; and that should be the same for you and me today. “Galvanized” spurring someone to action, much like an electrical jolt. It bridges the gap between passive belief and active Christian discipleship. Their prayer, was a prayer for action, to continue to speak Your words with all boldness.

 

Are you praying like this every day with: neighbors, family,

co-workers, your peers, at church with visitors?

Are we as a church praying like this?

 

Our greatest prayer should be with the apostle Paul who wrote, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Col 4:2-6. The early church prioritized the spread of the gospel over their own comfort and personal safety, even over the fear of man, rulers and kings.

Persecution And The World’s Hostility Led To A Stronger Fellowship. (v32-v37) 

Since worship does not start when we enter the worship service, it should not stop when we leave. They had all things in common. Today we would call this “Radical Unity” The early church is described as having one heart and soul. No one claims private ownership of their belongings, holding everything in common. The apostles continue to testify to the resurrection with great power. The church ensures there are no needy among them; those who own property sell it and bring the money to the apostles for redistribution. Worship, prayer produces a strong fellowship with fellow believers. The text highlights Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles call Barnabas (meaning "Son of Encouragement"). He sells a field he owns and lays the money at the apostles' feet as an example of this sacrificial giving. This reveals how important the fellowship truly is, especially as they face an evil world system together. We are not alone in this war, this battle for the gospel of Christ, includes all His born-again children. This wasn’t a forced or mandated arrangement; rather, it emerged organically from the believers' shared commitment to following Christ. This authentic spirit of generosity and mutual care for one another, serves as a powerful example of how the church today can be a transformative force in the world. 

The early Christians were able to live in harmony and share all things

in common because they were of one heart and one soul.

 

This deep unity was not the result of mere human effort, but it was a manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit among them. This unity allowed the early church to bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel and to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. Jesus said that the world would know that we were His disciples by the love that we have for one another. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35.

The early church did this so well, but what has changed? “Census Canada said, the church is on a continuation of a long-term downward trend in the population who report Protestant denominations.  At the same time, the number of Canadians who reported religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism has increased substantially. Over 3800 American churches close their doors annually throughout the USA alone. The reasons for these closures run because of pastoral incompetency, strife, infidelity in leadership marriages, lack of financial integrity, doctrinal discrepancies, power struggles, persecution, congregational distrust or dissatisfaction, only 43% of Christians surveyed say they fully trust their church.”

 

Our fellowship and care for one another is a testimony to a worldview that is self-centered and see no value or time for the fellowship of others. Our fellowship is evidence to the power of the gospel that reveals mankind’s desperate need for Christ and His grace. This miracle demonstrates, and opens the door for others to see the beauty of God’s grace drawing sinners to Himself and His church. We need Him for all things, and the help from the body of Christ; as we face trials and tribulations for His glory. Its here! Even in the face of Christian persecution, we can press on. We can thank God for His grace and patience with us through the suffering. We can express gratitude for those whom we love in the Lord, and who stand with us in times of distress. The support of the fellowship is what keeps us going. We can pray for those who would accuse, misuse, or even abuse us. “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” Rom 10:1. This is a high calling for the radical practice of responding to hostility with grace, prayer, and forgiveness. 

Someone asked C S Lewis “Why do the righteous suffer?” To which he responded “Why shouldn’t the righteous suffer? They’re the only ones who can handle it.” When we are insulted or marginalized, return the action with kindness and blessing to break the cycle of hatred. Refuse to let hostility diminish your capacity to care for others, aiming to meet bitterness with active compassion with the gospel. Actively pray for the well-being and ultimate transformation of those who cause harm, rather than seeking revenge. 

Our suffering is earthly; where our glory is heavenly.

Our suffering is short; where our glory is endless and eternal.

Our suffering is in our mortal bodies, where our glory will be perfected and imperishable in Heaven.

 

As Paul said “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Rom 8:18. Charles Spurgeon said "When you go through a trial, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.” Always remember that God never wastes a suffering or our sorrow. But it produces in the child of God a firmer foundation of hope worship, prayer and fellowship, as we go through our momentary afflictions for His glory and the gospel.