The early church faced a great deal of persecution. The church of Jesus Christ was hated and attacked by the Jews, and then by the Romans. The Jews had collectively rejected Jesus as their Messiah, arrested, tried, and condemned Him to die on a cross. The followers of Jesus were often held in ridicule, and similarly persecuted.

Following Jesus’ death, the Jews revolted against their Roman oppressors, and were severely beaten down by them. As far as Rome was concerned, the Christians were simply another brand of Jew, and were held in contempt and persecuted with the Jews.

As the church grew, so did its opposition. Throughout history followers of Jesus Christ who boldly declared the gospel often suffered under persecution. Jesus had foretold that His followers would face hardships and oppression, and had tied discipleship to taking up a cross.

Paul sought to encourage the church at Philippi during a time they were being harassed for the cause of Christ. He reminded them that persecutions for Christ’s sake were actually badges of honor, as they identified the oppressed with Christ. The Lord spoke often of eternal crowns and rewards that awaited anyone facing persecution on Christ’s behalf.

Paul wrote in…

Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

He told the Philippians that the very fact that they were being persecuted was a sign that they were truly saved, and walking as faithful followers of Christ. By the same token, their persecutors proved by their animosity to the cause of Christ that they were lost, sons of perdition, and acting on behalf of their master, the devil.

Paul wrote that the Philippian believers were given the gift of the grace of God when they trusted Christ for their salvation. With that wonderful gift, came the likelihood of suffering. The gospel has an offensive tone to the lost world. It convicts them of their ungodly and unrighteous ways. The truth of the gospel reminds them that there is an all-powerful Creator before whom they must stand one day.

The response of unbelievers to the gospel is to lash out against the conviction that the gospel brings. Their worldly lifestyles are carefully protected from anyone or anything that might endanger them. It is no surprise that the world reacts to the truth of the gospel with hatred and occasional violence.

Until we get to Heaven, the gospel will be trailed by opposition. Faithful followers of Jesus Christ must find their boldness in Him, and not fear their oppressors, being reminded of the wonderful rewards that await them in glory.