INTRODUCTION
Festo Kivengere, a leading evangelical minister in Uganda, wrote a book called I Love Idi Amin. In this book, he described the history of the church in Uganda, and in the following excerpt he told of the first Christian martyrs in the nation’s history:
"Earlier that same year, 1885, three Christian boys had shed their blood for Christ in Uganda. The king had ordered the arrest of these page boys in an effort to stamp out Christianity. The eldest was fifteen and the youngest was eleven-year-old Yusufu. They held fast their faith and staked their lives on it, though people were weeping and their parents were pleading with them. At the place of execution they sent a message to the king: ‘Tell his majesty that he has put our bodies in the fire, but we won’t be long in the fire. Soon we shall be with Jesus, which is much better. But ask him to repent and change his mind, or he will land in a place of eternal fire and desolation.’ They sang a song which is now well loved in Uganda as the ‘martyr’s song.’ One verse says, ‘O that I had wings like the angels. I would fly away and be with Jesus!’ Little Yusufu said, ‘Please don’t cut off my arms. I will not struggle in the fire that takes me to Jesus!’ Forty adults came to Jesus the day the boys died. This was a new kind of life, which fire and torture could not control. We have a memorial near Kampala where these youngsters are remembered as the first Christian martyrs of Uganda. By 1887, the end of the first decade of the church, hundreds had died. There were martyrs out of every village that had believers. They were only beginners, they knew little theology, and some could barely read, but they had fallen in love with Jesus Christ. Life had taken on a completely new meaning. The value of living and of living eternally had been discovered. They were not hugging their lives, but ready to give them for Jesus. During these dangerous days, there was an immediate and steady increase in the number of those embracing Christ." (Quoted by John MacArthur, The Hallmarks of Discipleship, p.25).
Persecution is a Fact for the Believer
Jesus promised it. He said in John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Verna Chambers said, "I was wearing a T-shirt with the words: BE NICE TO ME. I HAD A HARD DAY. Little Eric looked at the words and said, "How can you tell this early in the morning?" -- Verna Chambers, Willcox, Arizona. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."
There are two truths that are noteworthy: (1) "In Me you may have peace" and (2) "In the world you will have tribulation."
"Tribulation" is the word Gr.thlipsis, which means, "a pressing, pressing together, pressure" Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995. It is translated in the AV 21 times as "tribulation" and 17 times as "afflication."
Gerhard Kittle said, "Christian suffering, then, is inseparable from the Christian life" Kittel, Gerhard, and Friedrich, Gerhard, Editors, The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) 1985.
John 15:20-21 - "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 keep yours also. 21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Paul reiterated it. He said that it has been granted to us to suffer. Phil.1:29-30 says, "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me."
It will happen as a result of godliness (2 Tim.3:12). And because of this we are to respond a certain way. Mat.5:11-12 says, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It happened to other believers it will happen to you. It happened to the church at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), James and Peter (Acts 12:1-2), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:50), Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-23), The believers at Thessalonica.
1 Thess.1:5-6 says, "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit".
The Apostle John said in Rev.1:9, "I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
"Patmos" was "located in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and part of a group of about 50 islands, Patmos is a barren, rocky, crescent-shaped island that is about 10 mi. long and less than 6 mi. at its widest point. It served as a Roman penal colony" John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, (Dallas: Word Publishing) 1997.
Persecution Comes in Many Forms
Reviling - Mat.5:11 - "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you.
"Revile" Gr.oneidizo, "to reproach, rebuke, scold" (Strong), "to heap insults upon" (BAGD), "to bring reproaches or complaints" (Kittel)
False accusations - Mat.5:11 - "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Luke 6:22 - Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
Defaming - 1 Cor.4:13 - "being defamed"
"Defamed" Gr.dusphemeo, "to speak injuriously," Some manuscripts have blasphemo, ‘rail at or revile.’ It is used of humiliating or scornful speech or a slanderous speech.’
Blaspheming - Mat.27:39 (When Jesus was on the cross) - And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads.
Threats (Acts 4:17-21)
Beatings - Acts 5:40 - And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
"Beaten" Gr.dero, from der, "skin." Primarily means, "to flay (or "strip off the skin" Webster), then to beat, thrash or smite." The usual meaning is that of thrashing (flogging) or cudgelling ("to beat with a short, thick stick or club" Webster) and when used of a blow it indicates one of great violence" (W.E. Vine).
Jail - Acts 4:1-3 - Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
Disassociation - John 16:2 - "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Death (Jn.16:2)
CONCLUSION
Reviling, false accusations, defaming, threats, beating, jail, disassociation, death are just some of the forms of persecutions. But regardless of the forms of persecution, the fact remains believers experience persecution!
The question is "How do you respond when it happens?"
