Why does the world hate the true Christian so much? I guess that would depend on what person or people group you were talking to at the time. But we know that the hatred of Christians is to be expected (John 15:18-25). The truth is that everyone who desires to live a holy, separated, and dedicated life for Jesus Christ is going to face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). This is true of every generation that has come along. What is not known by some is that the mere “desire” to live a godly life will bring with it persecution from the world. It is sad, but the reason the world hates the believer in Jesus Christ today is the same reason the world hated the believers in earlier times, because they loved Jesus! But, even with that there are what some other reasons?
- Because we tell them there is one way to God and that His name is Jesus
- Because we tell them that they are headed to Hell unless they repent
- Because we are not part of this world, and He chose us out of the world (John 15:19) (1 Peter 2:9)
- Because we follow Christ (Matthew 10:22) (Matthew 24:9)
- Because we remind them of the God they hate (Romans 1:28-32)
- Because the darkness always hates light (John 3:19-21)
- Because the world hates the truth (Romans 1:18)
- Because the wicked are blinded (2 Corinthians 4:4)
- Because we will not join them and confirm them in their abomination (1 Peter 4:4) (Ephesians 5:8)
- Because they belong to the devil (John 8:44)
- Because they hate the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Here is an account of early Christian persecution, as compiled from numerous sources outside the Bible, the most-famous of which is Foxes’ Christian Martyrs of the World:
Around 34 A.D., one year after the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen was thrown out of Jerusalem and stoned to death. Approximately 2,000 Christians suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem during this period. About 10 years later, James, the son of Zebedee and the elder brother of John, was killed when Herod Agrippa arrived as governor of Judea. Agrippa detested the Christian sect of Jews, and many early disciples were martyred under his rule, including Timon and Parmenas. Around 54 A.D., Philip, a disciple from Bethsaida, in Galilee, suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified. About six years later, Matthew, the tax-collector from Nazareth who wrote his gospel in Hebrew, was preaching in Ethiopia when he suffered martyrdom by the sword. James, the brother of Jesus, administered the early church in Jerusalem and was the author of an Epistle by his name. At age 94, he was beat and stoned, and finally had his brains bashed out with a fuller’s club. Matthias was the apostle who filled the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. Andrew was the brother of Peter who preached the gospel throughout Asia. On his arrival at Edessa, he was arrested and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground (this is where we get the term, St. Andrew’s Cross). Mark was converted to Christianity by Peter, and then transcribed Peter’s account of Jesus in his Gospel. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis, their pagan idol. It appears Peter was condemned to death and crucified at Rome. Jerome holds that Peter was crucified upside down, at his own request, because he said he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. Paul suffered in the first persecution under Nero. Paul’s faith was so dramatic in the face of martyrdom, that the authorities removed him to a private place for execution by the sword.
In about 72 A.D., Jude, the brother of James who was commonly called Thaddeus, was crucified at Edessa. Bartholomew preached in several countries and translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India. He was cruelly beaten and then crucified by idolaters there. Thomas, called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear. Luke was the author of the Gospel under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree by idolatrous priests in Greece. Barnabas, of Cyprus, was killed without many known facts in about 73 A.D. Simon, surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, where he was crucified in about 74 A.D. John, the “beloved disciple,” was the brother of James. From Ephesus he was ordered to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.
Even tough these were paying a harsh price for their faithful love and service to the Lord Jesus, these people did not back down from their profession of faith in Jesus Christ. They stayed the course and demonstrated a faithful testimony for the glory of God. Men and women who walk with Jesus have paid a terrible price for their faith, more in our time than ever before. Down through the years some 70 million plus believers have died for their faith in Jesus. Every year some 300,000 believers are martyred for their faith. I often wonder how we would fare in the midst of persecution if it came to our door in America. Could we obtain such conviction to stand like those who went before us? By the grace of God! Yet in our country, so many don’t know Christ (I’m talking about those who go to places of worship). So many can’t even make to fellowship with other Christians because on Sundays they are just to busy. Bible studies are an inconvenience, times of biblical study are rare, living in the world has become easier than standing for Christ, and so on it goes. With all the comforts we have, with all the resources at our beckon call to grow in our faith, one would think our nation (individuals) would be growing closer to Christ.
We can learn a lot from those who have went before us, who have suffered for the gospel which today has been entrusted to us. The world may hate us for our love for Jesus Christ, but who cares! We know Him! We know how He has saved us and why! Be comforted in the knowledge that if you believe on Jesus Christ you will be saved. The day may come when our testimony of faith in Jesus Christ becomes a death sentence for us. It might get bad down here before we leave this world. There may be trials and there may be tribulations. There may be pain and there may be persecutions. But with all the uncertainty in our nation and the world in general we can be assured that the Lord will not forsake or leave us alone – (Hebrews 13:5).