Christian Persecution

Household Division

Matthew 10:21 For brother shall hand over brother unto death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents and shall slay them. 22 And you shall be hated by all on account of My Name, but he abiding to the end shall be saved.

Do not expect to be loved if you are adhering to the truth of the gospel. The truth of the gospel divides even families against one another, and thus it was in the pagan Roman world when in many cases these things actually did happen. They serve as an example for us today.

Martyrdom

Matthew 10:17 But take heed on account of men, for they shall hand you over to councils and they shall whip you in their assembly halls 18 and you shall be brought before governors and even kings because of Me for a testimony to them and to the Nations.

This was fulfilled with the early Christian martyrs. For 300 years Christians were persecuted at the instigation of the jews. They were indeed dragged before kings, governors, and judges. Little things like this in the gospels, which are hardly noticed or which are taken for granted by nearly all Christians, indeed prove that Christianity is true – how could Christ make such a statement, and we see that it all came true, with such bold confidence? How was He so confident that thousands would follow Him to their death, for a mere profession of their faith? Only because He knew that it was true – and only God could know such things so far ahead of time.

Christian Dialogue

Matthew 10:19 And when they should hand you over, you should not have care for how or what you should speak. For it shall be given to you at that hour what you should speak. 20 For it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father which is speaking in you.

In your time of calamity, you will be empowered to say the things that God wants you to say. If you feel as though you have failed to say something, be not ashamed: for perhaps God did not want you to say it!

Misunderstandings

Early Mission of the Apostles

'Matthew 10:7 And going you proclaim, saying that ‘the kingdom of the heavens has neared!’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely you must give. 9 Do not procure gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, 10 nor a bag for the way, nor two cloaks nor sandals, nor a staff. For the workman is worthy of his provisions. 11 And into whatever city or town you should enter, scrutinize whether anyone in it is worthy, and there abide until when you would depart.

These instructions were for the apostles during the ministry of Christ. They did not apply afterwards, of their later missions, where at Luke 22:35-36 it is recorded that “35 He said to them: When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you have want of anything?' And they said 'Nothing.' 36 Then He said to them: 'But now he having a purse must take it, and likewise a wallet, and he not having a sword must sell his garment and buy one.” This goes hand-in-hand with the foreknowledge that Christians would be persecuted, and would most often have to fend for and defend themselves. So we see that common sense must prevail in our quest for the kingdom.