Acts 8:1-3 Saul Ravages the Church

Saul of Tarsus was a young man when he started persecuting the Church. He was a Hellenistic Jew who loved God and his Law. He perceived the Church, like most Jews of his time,  to be against God and his Law and for this reason, he went after them with all his might to try to eradicate them from the face of the earth. Stoning was the main method for execution. The Jews persecuted the Church out of zeal.

The Romans also persecuted the Church for totally different reasons. Religion, for the Romans, was polytheist and it promoted social unity. They were very tolerant of other religions and used it as a means to keep their empire together. When they conquered a people group, they would add their gods to their pantheon and give them Roman names. They could not tolerate Christianity because it made claims of exclusivity. To the Romans, this was a threat against society. If people believed in Christ exclusively, they would lose the "glue" of their society.

The first Roman persecution was under the reign of Nero (c.64-68 ad). Tacitus, a historian of the time, reported:
"Besides being put to death they [the Christians] were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beast and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his grounds for the display, and was putting on a show in the circus, where he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or drove about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of pity, even toward men whose guilt merited the most exemplary punishment; for it was felt that they were being destroyed not for the public good but to satisfy the cruelty of an individual."


We can't forget that the persecution of the Church was predicted by Christ and it would be a sign of the end times. The Church is still under persecution - now more than ever. Much of the terrorism that we are experiencing today is somehow fueled by anti-Christian ideals. It is said that there have been more Christians martyred in the last century than in all the preceding centuries combined together. Here are some recent news concerning persecution: http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php


How will I react to persecution? I really don't know until I am there, but I pray that I will continue to stand strong in my faith and not crumble under its pressure. Persecution is a reminder that I don't belong to this world. It is an incentive to set my hope in Christ and look forward to his promise of a new kingdom upon the earth where peace and justice reign. Persecution, even reading about it, helps me put things in perspective very quickly. I am not going to pretend I understand persecution, but I most certainly pray that I be counted among the faithful if I have to face it.


Father, fill me with your Spirit to stand strong in my faith. May my hope always be in you and your promises of a new kingdom on earth. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are going through persecution right now. Please, strengthen them to remain faithful to you. Amen.