In the biblical context, "opposers" refers to individuals or groups who resist, challenge, or stand against God's will, His people, or His purposes. The concept of opposition is woven throughout the Scriptures, manifesting in various forms and contexts, from spiritual adversaries to human antagonists.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, opposers often appear as those who resist God's chosen leaders or His covenant people, Israel. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is a prominent example. His refusal to let the Israelites go, despite the plagues sent by God, exemplifies opposition to God's direct command (Exodus 5-12). The prophets frequently encountered opposition from the people of Israel themselves, who resisted their calls to repentance and adherence to God's laws. Jeremiah, for instance, faced significant opposition and persecution for his prophecies (Jeremiah 20:1-2).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, opposition is seen in both spiritual and earthly realms. Jesus Christ faced opposition from religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, who challenged His teachings and authority (Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6). The ultimate act of opposition was the crucifixion, where human and spiritual forces combined to resist God's redemptive plan through Christ (Acts 2:23).

The early church also encountered opposers. The apostles, particularly Paul, faced resistance from both Jewish and Gentile communities. In Acts 13:45, the Jews in Pisidian Antioch opposed Paul and Barnabas, contradicting and blaspheming their message. Paul later writes to Timothy, warning him of those who oppose the truth, describing them as "men of depraved minds" (2 Timothy 3:8).

Spiritual Opposition

The Bible also speaks of spiritual opposers, primarily Satan and his demonic forces. Satan is depicted as the ultimate adversary, opposing God's purposes and seeking to lead humanity astray. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are warned to be sober-minded and watchful because "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.

Responses to Opposition

Scripture provides guidance on how believers should respond to opposers. Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). The apostles, when faced with opposition, often responded with boldness and continued to preach the gospel, trusting in God's sovereignty and protection (Acts 4:29-31).

Paul advises Timothy to gently instruct those who oppose, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, equipped with the armor of God to withstand spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Conclusion

Opposers, whether human or spiritual, are a recurring theme in the biblical narrative. They serve as a reminder of the ongoing conflict between good and evil, truth and falsehood. The Bible calls believers to remain steadfast, relying on God's strength and wisdom to navigate opposition while maintaining a spirit of love and grace.

The Sentence of the Judge is Set Forth, the Counterpleas of the ...
... Book II. Chapter XIV. The sentence of the Judge is set forth, the
counterpleas of the opposers are considered? The sentence of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv the sentence of.htm

1 John ii. 18
... Is it in general opposers of Christianity, of faith in Jesus as the Messiah;
for example, such opposers from among the Jews and heathen? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 18.htm

Texts Explained; Eighthly, John xvii. 3 and the Like. Our Lord's ...
... and on the other hand, if the Son is the Father's Word, who is so wild, besides
these Christ-opposers, as to think that God has thus spoken, as traducing and ...
/.../chapter xxiv texts explained eighthly john.htm

Blind Bartimeus
... For it often happens, that our opposers and discouragers, afterwards become our
friends, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes his enemies be at peace ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/blind bartimeus.htm

Divine Support and Protection
... be in vain. (1.). They whom God is for, will, on that very account, have many
opposers. First, the men of the world. Our Lord expressly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlv divine support and.htm

Introduction.
... to provoke such opposition, and in such quarters, as the revival provoked; and its
caricatures would furnish such pictures of the revival as opposers drew." [1 ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/introduction.htm

The Preface.
... at a public Commencement at Cambridge says: [3] "It has pleased the Divine Wisdom,
never yet to leave Christianity wholly at leisure from opposers; but to give ...
/.../lardner/a vindication of three of our blessed saviours miracles/the preface.htm

Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the ...
... of all their carriages towards me, yet this I know, that the clerk of the peace
(Mr Cobb) did discover himself to be one of my greatest opposers: for, first he ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/some carriages of the adversaries.htm

From the Beginning of 1785 to the End of 1786
... Here, however, as elsewhere, opposers of the pure doctrines of Christ were found,
not only among the openly profane, but also among professors of godliness. ...
/.../chapter 1 from the beginning.htm

Extracts No. Ix.
... prevent a thing of that kind."It is the suspected superstition of the apostles and
primitive christians and not the superstition of their opposers, to which ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no ix.htm

Opposers (3 Occurrences)
...Opposers (3 Occurrences). Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which
all your opposers shall not be able to reply to or resist. (DBY YLT). ...
/o/opposers.htm - 7k

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

/o/opposes.htm - 8k

Oppose (29 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:28 and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them
a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God ...
/o/oppose.htm - 15k

Opposer (1 Occurrence)

/o/opposer.htm - 6k

Refute (6 Occurrences)
... Refute (6 Occurrences). Luke 21:15 for I will give to you a mouth and wisdom that
all your opposers shall not be able to refute or resist. (YLT NAS). ...
/r/refute.htm - 9k

Demonstration (5 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:28 and not frightened in anything by the opposers, which is to them
a demonstration of destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God; (DBY ...
/d/demonstration.htm - 8k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WBS YLT). Hebrews 10:27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment,
and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers; (YLT). ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

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