THE DOCTRINE OF PERSECUTION- BY GREG ELKAN

Persecution is a topic that’s rarely taught today in the Church. Because it is incongruous with those who preach the wealth and success message, and supposedly counterproductive to those who dont as the message will just scare people away. 

Nevertheless, persecution is an intrinsic part of the New Birth. Our Lord promised it, the Apostles guaranteed it, and logic demands it. 

In Mt 10:22-25, Jesus said, _“You shall be hated of all men for my name's sake…The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord.”_ In Lk 14:26 He says _“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple,”_ (NET). And in the gospel of John, he declares, _“If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…They shall put you out of the synagogues ...whosoever kills you will think that he does God service,”_ (Jn 15:20; 16:2).

The Apostles also spoke of persecution as a guaranteed consequence of faith. In Act 14:22 Paul explains to the Antioch Brethren that _“we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God;”_ tells the Thessalonians _“when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know,”_ (1The 3:3-4 NIV). And in 2Tim 3:12, he unequivocally states _“All who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”_ (NET)

In his own epistle, Peter says, _“This is God's purpose for you: because Jesus himself underwent punishment for you, giving you an example, so that you might go in His footsteps;”_ (1Pe 2:21 BBE). 

Finally, Believers are to expect persecution because it is the logical consequence of living as light in a world full of darkness; and living as servants of Christ in a world that positively hates Him and His message, (Mt 10:25; Jn 3:20; 15:19; 17:14).

The teaching of persecution is not to scare or discourage Believers, but to prepare and reassure them. As our Lord says in Jn 16:33 _“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”_ 

AMEN

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN

- Nigeria

Make a contribution to this growing work, 

Call +234 813 664 2912

Or Click

https://www.gregelkan.com/partner