IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION - PART II

Christians, because of their faith, have been much persecuted throughout history. First by the Jews, then by the Romans. Nero, Roman emperor, who burned Rome in the year 64, blamed them and persecuted them for it. After there were several other waves of persecution until the beginning of the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine was converted. At that time, they were crucified or thrown to the lions at the Colosseum to be eaten. There were also persecutions in the Middle Ages and, in the last centuries, were persecuted by Muslims, Hindus and by the atheistic totalitarian states of the Soviet Union and People's Republic of China.

 

Today, Christians continue to be harshly persecuted by Islamic fundamentalists. How to live in a hostile environment to the gospel? Primitive Christians left us some lessons. One of them, besides those mentioned in the previous post, is to keep your faith in secret and only to reveal when it is extremely important, because it will have to take the consequences. Of course, the "valiant" and "courageous", perhaps however less prudent, will disagree with this view. Though, it was exactly what Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus did.

 

These two illustrious men of Israel were disciples of Jesus, but in secret. Nicodemus, the one who went to talk with Jesus at night not to be noticed, at one time, revealed himself sympathetic to Him and tried to help Him before the temple authorities (John 3: 7,50,51). As for Joseph of Arimathea, after the death of the Lord "...asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared of the Jewish leaders” (John 19:38). When all the disciples fled (Mark 14:50), it was this secret disciple who revealed himself, along with Nicodemus, to take care of the burial of Jesus' body (John 19: 38-42).

 

Another action taken by the early followers of Jesus in the midst of persecution was prayer. Peter and John had been arrested because of the healing of a cripple (Acts 4.1-3). When they were released, the church prayed, "now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness... after they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken" (Acts 4:29-31). See that they not asked to be saved, rather be encouraged. Another action of the apostles was civil disobedience, in some cases. The apostles were instructed not to speak of Christ, but before the authorities who gave this command, "Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God rather than human beings" (Acts 5.29).

 

Although the care to remain unscathed in the tribulation, we must understand that the worst may come, as indeed did come. Stephen, because of his testimony, was stoned to death. Then "on that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria" (Acts 8:1). One may ask: why are Christians so persecuted? Paul responds: "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against... the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). It is true that Christianity comforts and brings hope to the human heart. But it must be remembered that it is God's action against the empire of darkness.

Antônio Maia – M.Div.

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