Gospel Persecution

Acts

How are we to understand persecution against the Church? From the very beginning, those in power have sought to silence the gospel witness of God’s people. We see this clearly throughout the book of Acts. It begins with the arrest and threats against the apostles, but it did not end there. For the first three centuries of the Church, the Roman Empire systematically targeted Christians with imprisonment, torture, and execution. During the Reformation, both the Roman Catholic Church and political authorities like the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France used violence to suppress the spread of the gospel. And even today, Christianity remains the most persecuted religion in the world. Just recently, I read of China’s renewed efforts to curtail the growth of Christianity. They are shutting down churches, rewriting Scripture, and imprisoning pastors.

If God is in control, and if it is His will for the gospel to be preached to the ends of the earth, why does He allow such opposition? As we turn to Acts 5:17–42 this Sunday, we will see that while the Church is often persecuted, the Lord remains sovereign over every moment. Not a prison door shuts without His knowledge. Not a threat is made that He cannot turn for good. In fact, time and again throughout Scripture and history, we see that the very efforts to stop the gospel end up advancing it. Man’s opposition becomes God’s opportunity. The result is not silence, but greater boldness and joy in proclaiming Christ. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and meditate upon Acts 5:17-42, Genesis 50:20, Psalm 115:3, Proverbs 21:2, Daniel 3:16-18, Matthew 5:11-12, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-14, and Westminster Confession of Faith 5.

This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name,” “Before the Throne of God Above,” and “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”

Text: Acts 5:17-42

Title: Gospel Persecution

1. We Must Trust in God's Sovereign Intervention in History (vv. 17-21a)
2. We Must Trust in God's Sovereign Restraint of our Enemies (vv. 21b-39)
3. We Must Trust in God's Sovereign Grace toward Believers (vv. 40-42)

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