It was not long into this new order of things that the Christians began to experience persecution, which can be said to have been part of Christianity’s very foundation. Since early times of Christianity, people believed in Christ and suffered for this, sometimes they were killed. The persecution was started by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for what He taught and stood for. His adherents, the Christians, did not take long to suffer a similar fate. Some of the worst forms of intolerance that have been recorded in history are those that occurred in Rome where Christians were persecuted for being a cause of disturbance to the state.

The history of persecution in the church can however be traced back to the first century. Thus, the early Christians were quite counter-cultural and a minority group in the society that was mainly pagan and that required people to worship the Roman gods and also recognize the emperor as a divine person. It was for this reason that most of the people viewed and treated him and other blacks as outcasts. That was the main tactic used to depict Christians as enemies of the state, involved in secretive conspiracies and propagation of heresy. Such accusations led to severe persecution, anything from just being ‘shunned’ to deaths in arenas.

Christian persecution did not stop in Rome, meaning that even after the decline of the empire, Christians continued to be persecuted. In the Church’s history, the believer was oppressed in one or another way: the Inquisition, the Crusades and even the present-day aggression in the countries where Christianity is considered as the minority. However, to the disappointment of human passions, Christians have continued to persevere in their religion and wait for the fulfilment of God’s words and for examples from those who have already been rewarded.

1. Methods of Victory in Persecution

The word boasts of those who suffered persecution with good results at the end even though they relied on God’s strength. They serve as examples for Christians of today and it indicates that it can be a possibility to live a life full of suffering and bitterness.

Daniel in the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel were true men of God who suffered persecution during the reign of King Darius. In violation of this edict that prohibited praying to any person other than the king, Daniel prayed to God three times a day. Despite one delivering rebukes and the other offering rewards, both turned him into a situation that had lions. But the Lord sent his angel to deliver Daniel and to close the lions’ mouths, and Daniel was not injured. This story asserts faith in God and especially the protection which Christians received during the persecution.

The Apostles and Early Christians (Acts 5:17-42)

The apostles were greatly threatened and harassed for declaring the message of “Jesus Christ the Lord.” Despite being imprisoned, tortured and threatened the followers kept on going on evangelizing the message of salvation. After they had appeared before the Sanhedrin, they said, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5: 29). This shows that the believers can stand strong amid persecution, and that is quite a strong message for the people of God.

Stephen the First Martyr is Acts 7: 54-60

Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early Christian church which was forming at the time, to hold fast in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was stoned to death. In a way, there is an element of welcoming visitation when Stephen saw Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God; this was seen as a sign of encouragement. His last words – the words of the prayer ‘Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do,’ – contain the elements of forgiveness and grace that the main protagonist of the story demonstrated on the cross. Stephen’s death therefore affirms the biblical revelation that even at the time of execution, the believers can still draw strength and comfort in the power and presence of God.

Paul the Apostle

Paul, who used to arrest the Christians to oppress them, became one of the most afflicted apostles after his conversion. For the Gospel he suffered beatings, imprisonments, a shipwreck, being without food and water, and countless dangers from fellow Jews and Gentiles. Paul frequently remembered in the letters he wrote that it was grace that kept him going through all the trials that he went through and with the firm words, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ – Philippians 4:13. That is why Paul’s life as a martyr and the stories about his life show that grace wins over persecution.

2. Strategies Given in the Scriptures to Perseverance in Persecution

As will be discussed, the Bible offers several ways that believers should handle persecution, anchored on faith in God, prayer, and trust in the word of God. In this study, the two areas of spiritual activities were identified as prayer and dependence on God.

These make prayer the only hope of the believers during persecution. Christians should ‘pray without ceasing’ (1 Thess 5:17), and take their concerns including worries to God in prayers. In the instance that they suffered persecution, the early church prayed along and asked God for the enablement to speak the truth fearlessly (Acts 4:23-31). To conquer persecution, prayer which is deemed to be dependent on God is very important.

Faith in God’s Promises

Religious people are expected to trust in God’s word even when they are being harassed. Jesus told his disciples that they would go through suffering but also declared, ‘I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). This assurance makes the persecuted Christians persevere because they know they have a sure victory through Christ.

The Lessons in the Forgiveness and Love for Persecutors

Since the time of Jesus, people were told to turn the other cheek and love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). This radical love and forgiveness are perhaps the best evidence of the potency of the good news that Paul proclaimed. When he was stoned for blasphemy, Stephen’s fervent prayer for his persecutors is a clear illustration of this principle.

Community Support

For most of the periods in early Christianity, the Christians as a group, were subjected to a lot of hostility, and they encouraged each other through prayers, words and material assistance. Persecutions indicate that the strength of fellowship provided by Christians cannot be overemphasized during this period. The congregation is Christians, and according to the Bible, Christians are to “bear one another’s burden” (Gal 6:2) and to spur one another towards love and good deeds.

3. Prevailing Through Persecution Today

The persecution in today’s context may not be in the severest form but in any case, it is an infringement of the rights of the persecuted individuals. Still, the principles one has to endure persecution have little changed. Christians are asked to be steadfast in their faith, be strong in the Lord and love their enemies.

Prayer as a Source of Strength

This is reproduced in prayer, which is an essential resource of encouragement for persecuted believers. This is the only way Christians can get positive responses from their appeal to the divine spirit of grace, comfort and direction during unpleasant situations. Prayer makes believers associated with God throughout the day for his counsel and for his help in dealing with persecution.

Standing Firm in Faith

Persecution is the last measure which is why endurance is pegged on faith. Christians are presumed not to be discouraged by the difficulties they face in life because God is with them. This is why such faith of believers is indeed strong, it gives a testimony to others that the gospel is worth any price.

Supporting Persecuted Believers

Believers who sit in the comfort of their homes have the duty of standing with their brethren who are suffering for their faith. People can act individually through prayers, provision of funds, lobbying and speaking out for persecuted Christians worldwide.

Promoting Religious Freedom

Another way of addressing persecution is by protecting every individual’s right to religious beliefs or faith. Through lobbying for changes in the laws and policies that will enable people of different beliefs to exercise their rights in the religious sphere, one can limit the situations in which Christians are persecuted.

Conclusion

James also regards persecution in the church as a genuine horror that has been around from the early days of development. Despite some differences in the kinds of oppression in the centuries, the difficulties are the same. As it was in the days of the apostles, believers in the present have been made to endure in their faith, to trust in God’s power and to overcome evil with good.

It is possible to learn a lot about how to endure persecution by reading the examples of Daniel the apostles, Stephen and Paul. Every one of these characters struggled greatly but never wavered in his or her loyalty to God and thus serves as an example for present-day Christians.

Persecution is evil and, therefore, prayer, faith in God, fellowship with those who support righteousness and love, and forgiveness are critical. In this way, Christians can not only stand persecution but also remain steadfast and even increase their testimony to the society for the Lord Jesus. This triumph is of Christ Jesus, and those who are going through the trial are advised to endure as they are going to inherit the latter glory.