Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8797 persecution, attitudes to

8797 persecution, attitudes to

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8794 persecution » 8797 persecution, attitudes to

Scripture outlines the attitudes which believers should adopt in the face of persecution, laying particular emphasis upon the faithfulness of God, the example of Jesus Christ and the need for patience and hope by believers.

The call to endure in the face of persecution

Passively

Psalm 119:87 See also Matthew 10:22,28; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; James 5:8

Actively

Hebrews 12:1 See also Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Peter 5:9; Revelation 2:3

Attitudes believers are to adopt in facing persecution

Living holy and forgiving lives

1 Peter 2:12 See also Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:19-20; 1 Peter 2:15,23; Peter 3:16

Rejoicing in suffering

Romans 5:3-5 See also Psalm 30:5; Matthew 5:11-12 pp Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:41; Acts 16:22-25; Romans 12:15; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:6,8; Peter 4:12,16

Relying on the promise of God's grace to endure

Lamentations 3:22-23 See also Psalm 18:17-19; Nahum 1:7-8; Romans 8:18,35-39; 2 Timothy 3:10-11; Hebrews 13:6; Revelation 3:10

Trusting in the promise of God's presence

Hebrews 13:5 See also Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:2,5; Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 4:9

Praying always

Ephesians 6:18 See also Psalm 35:24; Psalm 38:15-16; Psalm 129:5; Psalm 143:9; Micah 7:7-8; Luke 6:28; Luke 18:7-8; 1 Peter 4:7

The certain prospect of victory over persecution

The triumph of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:25 See also Ob 21; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; Revelation 11:15

The vindication of the saints

Believers are to take heart from the example of Jesus Christ in facing persecution

The persecution of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT

Psalm 22:1-18; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:7-12

The fulfilment of these predictions

Matthew 27:26-31 pp Mark 15:15-20

The relevance of Jesus Christ's innocent suffering to believers

1 Peter 2:20-23 See also 1 Peter 3:14-17 suffering for the sake of righteousness; 1 Peter 4:13-14 rejoicing at sharing in Christ's sufferings