RESPONDING TO PERSECUTION
DEFINITION OF TYPES OF PERSECUTION

Greek : dioko = persecution, to pursue, to put to flight, to drive away

               miseo = malicious, unjustified feelings or emotions

               aphorizo = to border off, to mark off by bounds, determine a limit

               oneidizo = dishonor, shame, defame, criticize, disgrace, revile

               enballo = expel, thrust, to cast out

Scriptural Example: (Luke 6:22-23)“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate(miseo) you, and when they shall separate(aphorizo) you from their company, and shall reproach(oneidizo) you, and cast out(enballo) your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”

CERTAINTY OF PERSECUTION

John 15:20 “They will persecute you.”

Philippians 1:29 “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him but to suffer for His sake.”

Luke 6:26 “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.”

TYPES OF PERSECUTORS

Acts 4:1-3 “The priests and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees…laid hands on them(apostles), and put them in hold.”

Acts 4:18, 21 “They(same religious leaders as above)commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  They further threatened them.”

Acts 5:17-18 “The high priest rose up and all they that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation,  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”

Acts 6:9, 12; 7:59 “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia.  And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon Stephen, and caught him…and they stoned him to death.”

Acts 8:1 “And Saul was consenting unto Stephen’s death.  And at that time there was a great persecution against the church.”

Acts 12:1-2 “Now about this time, Herod the King stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church and killed James the brother of John with the sword.”

RECIPIENTS OF PERSECUTION

II Timothy 3:12 “All that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”

Luke 6:22 “For the Son of Man’s sake”

Matthew 5:11 “Falsely for my sake.”

RESULTS OF PERSECUTION

Luke 6:23 “Your reward is great in heaven.”

I Corinthians 4:12 “Persecuted, we suffer it.”

I Peter 4:16 “Suffer as a Christian…not be ashamed…glorify God on this behalf.”

II Thessalonians 1:4 “Patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.”

Romans 8:35 “Persecution shall not separate you from the love of God.”

II Corinthians 4:9 “Persecuted but not forsaken.”

REACTION TO PERSECUTION

Matthew 13:21 “Persecution ariseth because of the word…he is offended.”

Luke 6:23 “Rejoice.”

Acts 5:41 “Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name.”

Luke 6:23 “Leap for joy.”

RESPONSE TO PERSECUTION

Scriptural Examples: (Luke 6:27-28)

“Love your enemies.”

“Do good to those who hate you.”

“Bless them that curse you.”

“Pray for them which despitefully use you.”

ALWAYS REMEMBER…Satan is the enemy not the persons persecuting you!