Topical Bible: Persecution: Originates: Ignorance of God and Christ

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Persecution, as understood within the Christian tradition, is the suffering or hostility experienced by believers due to their faith in Jesus Christ. This adversity is often rooted in a fundamental ignorance of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible provides numerous insights into the origins and nature of persecution, highlighting the spiritual blindness and misunderstanding that fuel such opposition.

Ignorance of God

The Scriptures reveal that persecution often stems from a lack of knowledge about God. In the Old Testament, the prophets frequently encountered hostility from those who did not understand or accept the divine message. Hosea 4:6 states, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." This ignorance leads to a rejection of God's truth and, consequently, to the persecution of those who uphold it.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reflects on his own past as a persecutor of Christians, attributing his actions to ignorance. In 1 Timothy 1:13 , he writes, "I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy." This acknowledgment underscores the idea that a lack of understanding about God can lead individuals to oppose His followers.

Ignorance of Christ

The ignorance of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament's depiction of persecution. Jesus Himself warned His disciples that they would face opposition because of the world's ignorance of Him and His Father. In John 15:20-21 , Jesus says, "Remember the word that I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in 1 Corinthians 2:8 , where he writes, "None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." This passage highlights the spiritual ignorance that led to the crucifixion of Christ and continues to manifest in the persecution of His followers.

Spiritual Blindness

The Bible often describes the ignorance that leads to persecution as a form of spiritual blindness. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 , Paul explains, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This blindness prevents individuals from recognizing the truth of the Gospel and results in hostility toward those who proclaim it.

The Role of the World

The world, in its fallen state, is often depicted as being in opposition to God and His purposes. This opposition is rooted in ignorance and manifests in the persecution of believers. In John 16:2-3 , Jesus warns His disciples, "They will put you out of the synagogues; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me."

Conclusion

Persecution, as depicted in the Bible, is deeply intertwined with ignorance of God and Christ. This lack of understanding leads to spiritual blindness and opposition to the truth, resulting in the suffering of those who faithfully follow Jesus. The Scriptures call believers to endure such trials with faith, knowing that their suffering is not in vain and that God is ultimately in control.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:3
And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Perpetuity
... Ignorance of God. ... We have only to see how this originates. ... And under the Babylonians,
when no persecution had been made, and when there were so many prophets ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ix perpetuity.htm

Summa Theologica
... Whether this doctrine is the same as wisdom? Whether God is the object of this
science? Whether ... TREATISE ON THE ONE GOD (QQ{2}-26). TREATISE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/