What other biblical examples show believers facing persecution for their faith? Facing Expulsion in John 9:22 “His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:22) The man healed of blindness had to choose between the Savior who opened his eyes and the religious system that threatened to close doors. That tension—faithfulness or favor—runs all through Scripture. Old-Testament Portraits of Faith Under Fire • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – Refused idolatry, were thrown into the furnace, yet testified: “The God we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not… we will not serve your gods.” (Daniel 3:17-18) • Daniel – Kept praying when prayer was outlawed; spent a night in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6:16) • Elijah – After defeating the prophets of Baal, he was hunted by Jezebel’s death threat. (1 Kings 19:2) • Jeremiah – Preached unwanted truth, was lowered into a muddy cistern to die. (Jeremiah 38:6) • Micaiah – Spoke God’s word to King Ahab and was slapped, mocked, and jailed. (1 Kings 22:26-27) These accounts remind us that opposition to God’s people did not begin in the New Testament; it is woven into the story of redemption. Early-Church Experiences of Persecution • Peter and John – Arrested and commanded “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus,” yet answered, “We cannot stop speaking.” (Acts 4:18-20) • Apostles – Flogged for preaching, but departed “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:40-41) • Stephen – Bold witness before the Sanhedrin, stoned while committing his spirit to the Lord. (Acts 7:59) • Paul and Silas – Beaten and jailed in Philippi; turned a prison cell into a worship service at midnight. (Acts 16:23-25) • Paul’s ministry – Catalog of beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, dangers, and imprisonments (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The pattern matches Jesus’ words in John 15:20: “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well.” A Summation from Scripture • “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) • Hebrews 11:36-38 rolls out a long honor-list of unnamed saints who “endured mocking and flogging… the world was not worthy of them.” • The Revelation churches at Smyrna and Philadelphia are praised for steadfastness under threat (Revelation 2:8-11; 3:7-13). Why These Stories Matter • They assure us that suffering for Christ is normal, not abnormal. • They highlight God’s presence; whether He rescues from the flames or walks with us through them, He never abandons His people. • They call us to courageous allegiance—choosing Christ over comfort, truth over approval—just as the once-blind man did when he confessed, “Lord, I believe,” and worshiped Jesus (John 9:38). |
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