Ninety-five percent of all Christians worldwide suffer some form of persecution.  More Christians are being martyred for their faith today than at any other time in the history of the church!  We must pray for all those in authority so that we may live a quiet and peaceable life.  We must understand that persecution is an insidious spiritual attack against the kingdom of God.   

Background of the Book

Paul has been in the Temple for almost 7 days.  Some Jews from Asia stirred up the crowd, assuming that “his lack of respect for Jewish traditions” led him to bring Gentiles into the Temple.  Paul was just about to be dragged out of the temple and stoned when, in the nick of time, the Roman legion from the fortress of Antonia saved him.   

Persecution is often stirred up by a few 27

A few Jews from Asia stirred up the whole crowd

They did it by shouting false accusations  

They led the crowd to believe that Paul was against the law

They said Paul brought Gentiles into the Holy Temple  

False accusations are the stock and trade of persecution.  Therefore, the tool of our trade must be the truth

Persecution flares into mob mayhem 30

In a matter of minutes entire city was ready to riot

Paul didn’t receive a trial or defense.  He was at the mercy of a mob

Persecution is vicious and often fatal 32

30 - They ruthlessly dragged him from the temple

32 – They were viciously attacking him  

33 – He was bound in chains as though he were the criminal

35 – to get him out of reach, the soldiers put him on their shoulders  

Persecution is saturated with false information 37

Paul was unrecognizable was under the blood and bruises  

28 - He was accused falsely  

34 - The multitude shouted conflicting accusations  

38 - The commander thought he was an Egyptian

False accusations misrepresented Paul as a dangerous insurrectionist  

What should we do about persecution?

#1  Remember our persecuted brethren.  Heb 13:3   

#2  Pray for the safety of our brothers  1 Timothy 1:1-4  

#3  Speak up for them  Proverbs 24:11-12   

We must Never Forget our suffering brethren, reminding the world of their plight and petitioning the Lord for their safety.  Every day the reality of suffering, inflicted by angry hands, comes home to scores of Christians.  Until his kingdom of peace comes to this earth, let us pray for the freedom to spread the good news of Eternal life without fear of persecution.