Although different reasons may be given by different persons and governments for persecuting Christians, yet we believe that the real cause is the heart’s enmity against Christ and His truth, as seen in the godly lives of His people. Besides, their light makes manifest the darkness around and exposes and reproves the inconsistencies of false professors and the godless lives of the wicked. The enemy, taking occasion by these things, stirs up the cruel passions of those in power to quench the light by persecuting the light-bearer. “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light” (John 3:2020For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:20)). Such has been the experience of all Christians, in all ages, both in times of peace and in times of trouble. There is no exemption from persecution, secretly or openly, if we live according to the Spirit and truth of Christ. Among the last words that Paul wrote we read these — “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
The following may be considered as some of the unavoidable causes of persecution, looking at both sides of the question — God’s purposes and man’s reasons.
The War of Aggression
Christianity, unlike all other religions that preceded it, was aggressive (openly active) in its character. Judaism was exclusive — the religion of one nation, but Christ was proclaimed to the whole world. This was an entirely new thing on the earth. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:1515And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)) was the Lord’s command to the disciples. They were to go forth and make war with error, in every form and in all its workings. The conquest to be made was the heart to be taken for Christ. “The weapons of our warfare,” says the Apostle, “are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5). In this war of aggression with existing institutions and with the corrupt habits of the heathen, the disciples of Jesus had little to expect but resistance, persecution and suffering.
Pagan Religions and the State
The pagan religions which Christianity was rapidly undermining and destined to overthrow were institutions of the state. They were so closely interwoven with the civil and social systems that to attack the religion was to be brought into conflict with both the civil and the social. And this was exactly what took place. If the primitive church had been as accommodating to the world as Christendom is now, much persecution might have been avoided. But the early church would not go for such lax accommodation. The gospel which the Christians then preached and the purity of doctrine and life which they maintained shook to the very foundation the old and deeply rooted religions of the state. Christians naturally withdrew themselves from the pagans. They became a separate and distinct people. They could not but condemn and abhor polytheism, as utterly opposed to the one living and true God and to the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. This gave the Romans the idea that Christians were unfriendly to the human race, seeing they condemned all religions but their own. Hence they were called “atheists,” because they did not believe in the heathen deities and refused heathen worship.
Christian Worship
Simplicity and humility characterized the Christians’ worship. They peaceably came together before sunrise or after sunset, to avoid giving offence. They sang hymns to Christ as to God; they broke bread in remembrance of His love in dying for them; they edified one another and pledged themselves to a life of holiness. But they had no fine temples, no statues, no order of priests, and no victims to offer in sacrifice. The contrast between their worship and that of all others in the empire became most manifest. The heathen, in their ignorance, concluded that the Christians had no religion at all and that their secret meetings were for the worst of purposes. The world now, as then, would say of those who worship God in spirit and in truth that “these people have no religion at all.” Christian worship, in true simplicity, without the aid of temples and priests, rites and ceremonies, is not much better understood now by professing Christendom than it was then by pagan Rome. Still it is true that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:2424God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)).
The Temporary Interests
By the progress of Christianity, the temporal interests of a great number of persons were seriously affected. This was a fruitful and bitter source of persecution. A countless throng of priests, image-makers, dealers, fortune-tellers and artisans found good livings in connection with the worship of so many deities.
All these, seeing their craft in danger, rose up in united strength against the Christians and sought by every means to arrest the progress of Christianity. They invented and spread around the worst lies against everything Christian. The cunning priests and the artful soothsayers easily persuaded the vulgar, and the public mind in general, that all the calamities, wars, tempests and diseases that afflicted mankind were sent upon them by the angry gods, because the Christians who despised their authority were tolerated.
Sheep Among Wolves
Many other things might be mentioned, but these were everywhere the daily causes of the Christians’ sufferings, both publicly and privately. A moment’s reflection will convince every reader of the truth of this. But faith could see the Lord’s hand and hear His voice in it all: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves ... They will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles ... Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:16-18, 3416Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:16‑18)
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)).
A. Miller (adapted)