How Should Christians Respond to Government Persecution?
During the early days of the church, the apostle Paul outlined how believers were to respond to the laws of Rome. Generally, the Bible teaches that whenever those laws did not conflict with the laws of God (Acts 4:19), the believer was to obey to State. The Bible teaches that the State is ordained or established by God to maintain social order by restraining evil and promoting good. The Church and the State are to operate as separate but equal authorities. The role of the Church is to promote good and restrain evil by disciplining individuals to become authentic followers of Jesus Christ, which transforms the human heart. The State is to promote good and restrain evil by maintaining social order through a system of just laws and punishments. Consider the following biblical passage on this subject:
Romans 13:1-5 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
The Bible even speaks to how Christians are to respond to the government when it begins to persecute them for their faith. Jesus foretold that persecutions were bound to come, something that most of the disciples experienced firsthand (Mark 10:30; John 15:18, 20; 16:33; Acts 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:21; Rev. 1:9).
Paul also experienced persecution for his faith, yet his instructions concerning the believer’s relationship to civil authorities were that Christians must submit to any civil laws that do not conflict with God’s requirements. When persecutions began, Christians were to bear it.
The apostle Peter echoed this exhortation, saying it was God’s will that Christians endure unjust suffering as an example of their identification with Christ, who also suffered unjustly.
For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:19-21
These words from the apostles were given during a time prior to the state sponsored persecution that martyred thousands of Christians during the reign of Roman emperor Nero (AD 54-68). Peter and Paul were themselves executed during that period. They were keenly aware that obedience to God overruled in situations where the State became a tool of anti-God forces, that there were times when they had to choose to obey God rather than the State. However, they also recognized that they would have to accept whatever consequences came because of their civil disobedience. Nevertheless, their instructions still call upon Christians to honor, respect and pray for political leaders. According to the teaching of Jesus, vengeance and retaliation for any type of persecution was unacceptable (Matthew 5:10; Romans 12:17-21).
We know that God‘s Kingdom is not part of the present world system. This sinful system is called the present evil age by Paul (Galatians 1:4) is passing away. Christians wait for Jesus to return to earth to set up His rule on the earth (Revelation 19:11-15). In the meantime, we may have to suffer persecution, imprisonment, even death, for our faith in Jesus. He warned us that this would happen. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
