In my New Testament class forum I read one of the clearest expositions of the persecution of the early church & being a Christian today. I thought this post was excellent!
What did they do that caused them suffering? They proclaimed another King- Jesus – and that got right up the nose of the Roman Empire as it put them out of a job and also hurt their pride, not because the believers were bad citizens or refused to pay taxes but because they were great citizens. What annoyed the Romans was that Christians weren’t intimidated by them. They tried it and it didn’t work.
The Jewish religious establishment also persecuted the Christians for a similar reason – they wouldn’t play the religious power games any more. They didn’t oppose Judaism or Rome, they just got on and did what Christians are supposed to do – love and serve others and march to the beat of a different drum.
I don’t actually see the early church doing street protests. Their statement was their lifestyle and the way they did power – from a Kingdom not of this world. I don’t want to be persecuted because I’m arrogant and annoying, but I don’t mind if it’s because they can’t stand that my love that speaks so strongly of Jesus they have to cover their ears and throw stones.
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