(7) The Greek verb for persecution ( dioko) means to be chased after, like bloodhounds chase after a fox seeking to tear it apart! (6) Persecution is a promise - it is will come, not may come. (5) Godliness will incite ungodliness against us. (4) Godliness is only possible as we abide in Christ Jesus.
(3) Godliness is to be the desire of our heart. (2) All means no exceptions - if the following condition is fulfilled. One dictionary adds it is "used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested." In fact in context Paul had just emphasized persecutions and sufferings were his lot in his ministry in Christ (2 Ti 3:10-11). (1) Indeed means in truth and often tends to intensify what follows. Several truths can be gleaned from Paul's warning. Indeed ("now in fact" - NET), all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. In his last letter (written from prison and just prior to his martyrdom) Paul wrote words which could be emblazoned across this chapter Peter and John were surely not surprised for Jesus had taught them "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you if they kept My word, they will keep yours also." (Jn 15:20) The old adage was playing out - forewarned is forearmed! Peter the denier, had become Peter the proclaimer and in fact passed along a similar warning to every saint of every age - " Do not be surprised ( present imperative with a negative = Stop this or don't let it begin) at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ (THIS IS THE KEY POINT), keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory (SECOND COMING - cf 1 Jn 3:2-3 +, WHO YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN THE FUTURE, WILL IMPACT HOW YOU ARE LIVING TODAY!), you may rejoice with exultation (IN OTHER WORDS A CROSS PRECEDES A CROWN! KEEP YOUR EYES FIXED ON THE END OF THE RACE, NOT THE "HURDLES"!)." (1 Pe 4:12-13 +). Note that the persecution came from the religious establishment, the Jewish leaders, just in the case of the Lord Jesus. Note the progression from Acts 3 into Acts 4 - healing led to preaching which led to persecution. Are you experiencing a wave of persecution? God is in control and He has given us His Spirit and His Word in Acts to be our compass and guide to bring us safely home to our eternal destination in Christ. And so too the Sovereign God controls the events of our lives, so that we can be sure that waves of persecution will come throughout our life, sometimes barely imperceptible, but other times like a hurricane. I am looking over the sea as I write these words, and it strikes me that those waves are a perfect picture of the "waves of persecution" that come against believers - some days the waves are small, but other days like today they are large with whitecaps everywhere, and whether small or large, one can always count on the waves coming one after another, because God controls the "pulse" of the ocean.
And so we see the beginning of the waves of persecution crashing against the Body of Christ in Acts 4. God desires us to become imitators of men like Peter and John, so that we can weather the waves of persecution that are sure to come our way.
#Bless unleashed priest skill build full#
The exhortation from the writer of Hebrews is apropos.Īnd we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Peter and John's response to persecution teaches us how we are to respond to persecution. Acts 4 is one of those chapters in which we would do well to spend focused time, meditating and soaking up the truths, so that they may become part of our innermost being (cf Jn 17:17). It is a template for all disciples of Jesus to follow when (not if) persecution comes. Persecution is defined as hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs, causing the persecuted person to suffer because of their belief.Īnd so chapter 4 is more than a historical record. Acts 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries.KJV Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, THE EXPANDING WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED CHURCHĪcts 4:1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, Chart from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission