Jesus is our forerunner who left behind an example for us to follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). He taught, preached and lived the Gospel message of the cross showing that in this world we will suffer persecution for righteousness' sake (John 16:33). At the same time, he demonstrated resurrection power that enabled him to continue advancing the Gospel amid great persecution.
Like the Messiah, the apostle Paul did not allow persecution to shut him down, silence the Gospel or thwart the advancement of the Kingdom of God. He embraced Jesus’ warning about imminent suffering and then passed it on to faithful witnesses wherever he went, declaring that “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). He proclaimed this in sober-mindedness after returning to Lystra, where he had been thrown out of town, stoned and left to die.
The disciples witnessed first-hand the cost of discipleship as they “gathered around him” and encouraged him (Acts 14:20). Likely to their surprise and certainly to ours, he threw off the rocks and returned to the city, showing his determination. Though he didn’t remain there, his return to town testified to the believers and his opponents that he was not afraid of man but lived in the fear and awe of God. What seemed like superhuman strength and resilience was the indwelling Holy Spirit, who upheld him with “the same power that raised Jesus from the dead” (Romans 6:4-5, 8:11). As he later testified in Philippians 1:28, this was not only a sign of God’s power but a declaration of God’s judgment on his enemies.
From persecution to preaching and missions
As a result, Paul left town and went to Derby, where he preached again and “won a large number of disciples” (Acts 14: 21). There, Agabus gave a prophecy concerning his imprisonment and persecution by the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 21:12), and many of the believers tried to discourage him from continuing his preaching and missionary work. But Paul assured them that the Holy Spirit had already prepared him for this, showing him that “prison and hardships” were ahead (Acts 20:23). Paul knew that this persecution was not a sign of God’s disfavor but instead an indication of his favor and the efficacy of the Gospel as Jesus promised: “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…” (Matthew 5:11-12).
Over the course of about 35 years of ministry, Paul was imprisoned three times, shipwrecked, beaten, in danger from bandits and fellow Jews, and thrown out of cities. He provides a summary of some of this suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, showing that it was not an incidental matter but something that marked his entire life as an apostle. At the same time, his accomplishments by the Spirit’s power were immense. He embarked on four missionary journeys over 16 years to about 50 cities, traveling about 10,000 miles and helping to plant at least 14 churches.
From persecution to teaching and discipleship
In addition to preaching the Gospel and planting growing communities of Christ-followers, he helped them to build healthy leadership by appointing elders, who taught them to fast and pray for wisdom. He discipled many people including Timothy, Mark, Luke, Onesimus and other traveling companions. While in prison he wrote four epistles, using his experiences to encourage and equip the believers to stand strong in their faith and to devote their lives to God. Through those same Epistles he has and will continue to disciple billions of believers around the world.
God's unstoppable servants and message
Like Jesus and the apostle Paul, we may experience intense opposition and persecution from proclaiming the Gospel and calling people to repentant faith in Jesus Christ. But we do not need to shrink back in fear or leave our calling because of this (Hebrews 10:39). As we follow the Lord’s and the apostle Paul’s examples, we will be encouraged and empowered by the Spirit to patiently endure. Like Paul, we will be able to declare, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). God the Holy Spirit will strengthen us with his resurrection power in our hardships and weaknesses so that we can throw off the stones of rejection, abuse and slander and continue teaching, preaching and making disciples. God has promised he’s with us and will not forsake us and that the very gates of hell not prevail against us in the advancement of the Gospel (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 16:17-19).
Personal reflection
I still remember the peaceful face of the student who responded to my sober reminder that we would have to suffer great persecution and hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Her reply came quickly and was both simple and true, “It’s hard, but he’s worth it!” While no one, including the Lord Jesus or the apostle Paul, enjoys pain, suffering and rejection, we can endure it knowing it’s for the cause of Christ and his Kingdom. As Paul reminds us “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). And there will come a day very soon when “He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Until that time, we need to heed Christ’s call to put our hands to the Gospel plow and press on with patient endurance, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The same joy that was set before him and propelled him onward is available to us as we yield our very lives to Christ, trusting and following him wherever he calls us to go.
“… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmrTvDoqvMM
