Definition and Context:
Persecution in the biblical context refers to the act of harassing, oppressing, or causing suffering to individuals, particularly because of their faith in God. It is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, where the faithful often face opposition from those who reject God's ways.

Old Testament Instances:
Persecution is evident in the lives of many Old Testament figures. The prophets, for instance, frequently faced hostility for delivering God's messages. Elijah was pursued by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2), and Jeremiah was imprisoned and thrown into a cistern (Jeremiah 38:6). The psalmists often cried out to God for deliverance from their persecutors, as seen in Psalm 7:1: "O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers."

New Testament Teachings:
In the New Testament, persecution becomes a central theme, especially in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus warned His disciples of the persecution they would face for His name's sake. In Matthew 5:10-12 , He states, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

The early church experienced significant persecution, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death (Acts 7:59-60), and Saul (later Paul) initially persecuted Christians before his conversion (Acts 8:3). Paul himself later endured much persecution for his faith, as he recounts in 2 Corinthians 11:24-26.

Theological Significance:
Persecution is seen as a test of faith and a means of spiritual growth. It is often portrayed as a participation in the sufferings of Christ. In 2 Timothy 3:12 , Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This suggests that persecution is an expected part of the Christian journey.

Response to Persecution:
The Bible encourages believers to respond to persecution with love and perseverance. Jesus taught to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). The apostles echoed this sentiment, urging believers to endure suffering with patience and to continue proclaiming the gospel boldly.

Eschatological Perspective:
Persecution is also viewed in an eschatological light, as a sign of the end times. Jesus foretold that His followers would face increased persecution before His return (Matthew 24:9). However, He assured them of His ultimate victory and the eternal reward awaiting those who remain faithful.

Conclusion:
While persecution is a challenging aspect of the Christian faith, it is also an opportunity for believers to demonstrate their commitment to Christ and to witness to the world through their steadfastness and love.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Persecute.1559. ekdioko -- to pursue out, ie expel or persecute
... or persecute. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekdioko Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-dee-o'-ko) Short Definition: I persecute, expel by persecuting Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1559.htm - 7k

1377. dioko -- to put to flight, pursue, by impl. to persecute
... to persecute NASB Word Usage persecute (10), persecuted (13), persecuting (7),
persecutor (1), practicing (1), press (2), pursue (7), pursuing (2), run after ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1377.htm - 9k

466. antanapleroo -- to fill up in turn
... in Col 1:24 where it refers to believers "filling up" the of Christ -- ie when
Christians experience from unbelievers who are really still persecuting Christ. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/466.htm - 7k

Persecuting the Methodists
... Chapter 10. Retirement in Paddington; Wesley Slandered; Premonitions; A
Dream Persecuting the Methodists. Monday, September 9."I ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/persecuting the methodists.htm

He Shows from the Appearance of Christ Vouchsafed to the Apostle ...
... Book III. Chapter VI. He shows from the appearance of Christ vouchsafed to the Apostle
when persecuting the Church, the existence of both natures in Him. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vi he shows from.htm

The Emperor Gratian is Slain by the Treachery of the Usurper ...
... Book V. Chapter XI."The Emperor Gratian is slain by the Treachery of the Usurper
Maximus. From Fear of him Justina ceases persecuting Ambrose. ...
/.../chapter xi the emperor gratian is.htm

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
... The omission of all persecuting acts from the revision of the laws in 1750 was evidence
that the worst features of the great schism were passing, that public ...
/.../chapter xi the abrogation of.htm

Psalm LXX.
... above, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me," [3041] he was confounded and laid
low, and he was raised up to obedience, that had been inflamed unto persecuting ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxx.htm

You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and ...
... whom God has singled out to be the glory of the churches of Christ, who has spoken
of the testimonies of the Lord even in the sight of persecuting kings and ...
/.../25 you observe how he.htm

Delivered from Prison
... of obtaining the favor of the Jews, hoping thus to make secure his offices and honors,
he proceeded to carry out their desires by persecuting the church of ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm

Christ Crucified is an Offence and Foolishness to those who ...
... already proved to be God. And so they were persecuting Him on the earth,
whom you are persecuting even in heaven. And not only so ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xii christ crucified is.htm

From Persecutor to Disciple
... "Of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin," Saul was "a Hebrew of the Hebrews;
as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 12 from persecutor to.htm

Conversion
... Luke tells us that Saul was on his way to Damascus, seeking victims for his persecuting
zeal, when Jesus suddenly appeared to him and Saul was changed from a ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ii conversion.htm

Persecuting (14 Occurrences)
...Persecuting (14 Occurrences). ... Acts 9:4 and falling to the ground he heard a voice
which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (WEY NAS). ...
/p/persecuting.htm - 10k

Wasting (57 Occurrences)
... (WEY RSV NIV). Galatians 1:13 for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that
exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it, (YLT). ...
/w/wasting.htm - 23k

Ground (538 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Acts 9:4 and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/ground.htm - 43k

Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... of its occurrence, both in the Old Testament and New Testament, where in the King
James Version the words "persecute," "persecuted," "persecuting" are found no ...
/p/persecution.htm - 47k

Fell (331 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me,'Saul, Saul, why
are you persecuting me?' (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fell.htm - 36k

Violently (92 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Galatians 1:13 for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that
exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it, (See RSV) ...
/v/violently.htm - 35k

Kick (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Acts 26:14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying
to me in the Hebrew language,'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? ...
/k/kick.htm - 10k

Ox-goad (2 Occurrences)
... Ox-goad (2 Occurrences). Acts 26:14 We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice
which said to me in Hebrew, "'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? ...
/o/ox-goad.htm - 7k

Legalistic (1 Occurrence)
... Legalistic (1 Occurrence). Philippians 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly;
concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. ...
/l/legalistic.htm - 6k

Goads (4 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Acts 26:14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to
me in the Hebrew language,'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? ...
/g/goads.htm - 7k

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