Matthew 5:10-16. The Geneva Bible was used by the Pilgrims and Puritans in New England until it was gradually replaced by the King James Bible. It is a message from Jesus through the apostle John to the church in Smyrna. {48} Historian Philip Schaff saw this as the final struggle between the pagan Roman Empire and the rule of . Peter went on to become a bold preacher for Christ, giving the first public sermon at Pentecost where thousands were filled with the Holy Spirit and confessed faith in Christ as their savior (Acts 2:14-41). But it was not yet formal or fatal persecution. 1. Be happy about it! But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. John 15:18 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. Bible Verses about Persecution - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is… Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ… That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults… This is the second message to another of the seven churches in Asia Minor. God is pleased when his people show that they value him above everything in the world, for this happens when they courageously remain faithful amid opposition for righteousness' sake. But the lesson of Jeremiah's persecution goes one step further: in chapter 20 of his book, Jeremiah accuses God of having basically forced himself on Jeremiah. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the . Jesus' teachings were not only controversial in the context of the 1 st century but they continue to create major discomfort for those living by the world standards (which are no standards) in the 21 st century. 5:10-12 ). It's okay to be angry at God. While there is a temptation to over state the evidence for persecution in the first century, there is also a pattern of critics who under state the evidence. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 3 Bible Tips: The Beatitudes - Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake. 8. Examples of Persecuted Prophets. "Hallelujah! 1 Thess 2:14. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. To Paul, the Jews were not cursed, but were first, the Greeks second (Romans 2:9-10). But we will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. This is a promise of blessing for those who suffer for doing the right thing. Those who passionately stand for the cause of Christ are persecuted by those who have built their own idea of God. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same [kind of] persecution from your own countrymen, as they did from the Jews, AM. (Matthew 5:11) We come today to the last message in our series on the Beatitudes. where it is listed on the Bible Timeline Poster. In 251 Decius died, but persecution continued as Christians were blamed for invasions by the Goths and for natural disasters. Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus wasn't offering a general blessing to all victims of persecution for any cause. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. The New Testament, especially the Gospel of John (c. 90-100 AD- although there is no evidence in the text of the sack of Jerusalem in 70 . Amplified Bible Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. James and John were the sons of a fisherman named Zebedee. And why? The Christian life is not always easy. Old Testament Israel was the agent of persecution of nations (Judges 2:11-23 ; Leviticus 26:7-8 ). I beseech You on behalf of those who are in prison because of their confession in the name of Jesus Christ. No, and self-declared Christians who are not persecuted for their faith by the world disprove either Jesus' declaration or their . Hebrews 13:3 CJB. "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." Matthew 5:10. It is like a continuous, ruthless chase to hunt down the prey! Acts 11:19 - THE MESSAGE - Those who had been scattered by the persecution triggered by Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they were still only speaking and dealing with their fellow Jews. out of the hands of the people. These people were beginning to experience significant social and cultural marginalization as a result of their faith in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 2:14. Bible-believing people were mercilessly persecuted and their Scriptures were destroyed. 5 Stories of Christian Persecution. Then he told them, 20 "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!" Many of you have spoken of how the Lord has been using these Scriptures in your life. 10 f "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for u theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Acts 11:19 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB) Persecution in the Bible. In the final Beatitude, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Smyrna the Persecuted Church — Be Faithful Until Death. Early Christians expected suffering. Paul was a distinguished Pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians until Jesus appeared to him one day on the road to Damascus. The 40 years of rest was followed by the last and most violent persecution, under Emperor Diocletian (284-305). But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. This is part of Jesus' explanation of the Beatitudes: a series of statements about those who are "blessed," as proven by certain attitudes or actions (Matthew 5:1-9). It appears that the persecution of Christians was confined to Rome (64-68). This is what the Bible teaches Christians about persecution: 3:12). "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. That he was deceived, seduced and taken advantage of. And as they were being overcome, all of them felt persecuted and they comforted themselves with the thought that they were being like the prophets. In my recent book, The Fate of the Apostles, I make the case for the willingness of the . Those who choose to live godly in Christ Jesus can expect to suffer persecution (2 Tim. For anyone who holds that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a man-made hoax conspired by a group of disciples should check out the legacy of martyrdom. - Sort By Book Order. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Turn with me again to Matthew 5:10-12. 1. The Results of Persecution Jesus said, "…for so they persecuted the prophets before you" (Mt. The First Epistle of Peter was written in or around AD 63 to a group of Christians living in Pontus-Bithynia, an area in modern-day Turkey, just south of the Black Sea. Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves. The original language is shockingly brutal, and the message it sends those persecuted shockingly freeing. 5:12). Jesus warned that His followers would face . Paul tell us in 2 Timothy 3:12 that "indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.". Huh? Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted Wednesday, March 6, 2013 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Those who possessed Bibles without a license were commanded to deliver them up to the Catholic authorities under threat of inquisition terrors. Blessed are those who are persecuted. A Prayer for Persecuted Christians in Prison. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Sometimes it means that, on any particular issue, people who are Christians can be less righteous than those who aren't. And, like foreigners in the past and in the present, they are generally misunderstood and persecuted. Mainz was the most active publication center in Germany at that time, and in 1485, the . 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. This was the first organized persecution of the Roman state. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Later in Revelation, John sees the moment these souls had been waiting for. Righteous people in the workplace may be subjected to active, even severe persecution by people who benefit—or believe they benefit—from injustice there. If you don't know what this is about, it probably sounds like someone's really into being dumped on. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers—wonderful! Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Why is it a blessing to be persecuted? Jesus gives us reason to believe there were many who made the ultimate sacrifice (Luke 11:50-51). 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets . God will vindicate those who are persecuted. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 11 g "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely h on my account. So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except the Jews alone. The persecution that occurred under Nero took place in the vicinity of Rome; Christians were made scapegoats for Nero's burning of Rome. Scripture tells us of so many heroes in the faith who were intensely persecuted. Persecution of Peter and the Apostles - Acts 5:1-42. Th So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to . 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Burma's many ethnic groups have lead to civil war and human rights atrocities, and their new civilian-led government created in 2016 has not been the . He took seriously his commission to carry God's name "before . Acts 22:4-16. Booksellers were forbidden to sell any Bibles except to Thank You for the strength of their faith. Paul. Did Jesus exempt any of His followers from His words above, "If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20)? For the first time, Jesus mentions heaven as the destination of His followers instead of the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God). This joy would soon turn to concern as a new wave of persecution would be experienced by Peter and the Apostles. Now many of Jesus' disciples will be persecuted for representing Him to the world, which will earn them great rewards in heaven, as well. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Paul knew of this reassurance when he wrote to Timothy that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Persecution and all the variations of this word are used in the bible approx. The first complete printed Bible in German was published by Johann Mentelin (John Mentel) at Strassburg in 1466 (Olaf Norlie, The Translated Bible, 1934, p. 73). Eleven of the 12 apostles, and many of the other early disciples, died for their adherence to this story. Matthew 5:10-12 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 10 Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. In fact, the start of the third century signaled the beginning of severe persecutions that Christians experienced during that period in history. Roman authorities viewed Christians as a . The Apostles Peter and Paul were among Nero's victims. Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them . Many of those prophets were persecuted for representing God. Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. No, He offered it only to those who were persecuted for actively pursuing the kingdom of righteousness and because of their faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:11). The book of Acts records that in every town and city he visited, he went first to the local Jewish synagogue; after that, he preached the gospel to the . Plea Of Innocence The Church Universal Persecution zealots. ( D) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for. 1 Peter 4:14 Verse Concepts If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Diocletian During the years 303-311, the church endured persecutions so terrible that all before were forgotten. 1. (Lee Martin McDonald, James A. Sanders, Editors: The Canon Debate; Everett Ferguson, Factors Leading to the Selection and Closure of the New Testament Canon . In Ezekiel 22:30, God laments the lack of someone to stand "in the gap" for His people. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks fellow believers to "Pray also for me, that . The Bible does not give us extensive biographical details of the prophets we meet in its pages.