IN 2015 ATLANTA FIRE CHIEF KELVIN COCHRANE, a 34-year veteran of the department, was fired. Chief Cochrane wasn’t fired due to dereliction of duty or misuse of public funds, he was terminated because of a Bible study he wrote – a study that took a biblical position on matters such as cohabitation and homosexuality. Cochrane was suspended for “discrimination” and then ultimately released. Unfortunately, Kelvin Cochrane’s case is not an isolated one. Christians are increasingly being pressured to keep their mouths shut about their beliefs and are threatened with demotion, termination, or lawsuits if they choose otherwise. On our school campuses, Christian students often face ridicule if they choose to publicly identify as a follower of Jesus and especially if they uphold traditional sexual values.
There is no doubt that persecution is on the rise in the United States. Some may say, “Isn’t that a little strong? No one is being killed.” It might help to have an appropriate definition of persecution. Persecution is “hostility and ill-treatment because of religious beliefs.” Most persecution around the world doesn’t involve imprisonment or death. It looks like rejection and marginalization, then at times reduction of rights. As our culture drifts further and further away from biblical norms, our position as spiritual exiles in America will increasingly lead us to experience the truth of Paul’s words—“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
In Acts 7-8 we see persecution carried out to its fullest lengths as Stephen, one of the earliest leaders in the Church, is stoned for testifying of Christ. The account recorded by Luke demonstrates three truths evident in persecution that will encourage us in our struggle.
Persecution Results From Hostility To Jesus
The first truth is persecution results from hostility to Jesus. Luke records the crowds being so enraged at what Stephen had said that they “ground their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54). What had Stephen said that was so blasphemous? He had declared that Jesus was the long-prophesied Messiah who was greater that Moses and David. Stephen’s testimony was a threat to the very heart of the Jewish religious elite. Their authority was based upon their position to interpret the Mosaic code and identify the Davidic Messiah to come. Jesus demolished that authority.
Whatever the “thing” is that the culture worships, whenever it is threatened by Jesus, persecution is close by.
In ancient Rome it was the Empire; in China it is the Communist Party; in Muslim nations it is the Koran and Muhammed; in the United States it is unfettered sexual freedom. We often think that persecution exists because people don’t like Christians. And, though that may be true, hostility doesn’t begin with us. It starts with Jesus. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
Persecution Leads To Intimacy With Christ
The second truth is persecution leads to intimacy with Christ. Acts 7:55 records that Stephen “full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” In the darkest moments of his persecution, Stephen had a vision of the risen Lord. Jesus looking down on his servant seems to be communicating, “I see you, Stephen, and I am with you.” If you were to speak with the persecuted, they would tell you the same thing, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
Persecution Creates Opportunity For Ministry
The third truth is persecution creates opportunity for ministry. There are two examples of this in our passage from Acts 7-8. The first involves the scattering of those who were persecuted and their preaching of the Word of God (Acts 8:4). In fact, some of those who were scattered made their way to Antioch and helped birth the most missional of the early churches (Acts 11:19). The second example is that of Saul, the persecutor of the Church who witnessed Stephen’s stoning and later would be known primarily as Paul the apostle. No doubt, Paul saw something in Stephen that he had never seen before – a deep and abiding intimacy with God. Our persecution can lead our persecutors to see the power of the gospel firsthand, as Paul went on to mention in Philippians 1:12-14.
PRAYER
Lord, no one wants to walk through the fires of persecution, including me. Yet, I see in your Word that you use all things, even hostility against me and hatred of your Name. Grant me the courage I need to stand for you. Help me be bold like Stephen, that you may lead more Pauls to faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PONDER
- How does Jesus standing in honor of Stephen’s courage encourage you to be faithful to our Savior?
- What leads some people to have boldness in the face of persecution and others to shrink away?
- How can Christians better prepare themselves to be bold in the face of opposition?
From In Exile, Chapter 25