The Refiner's Fire

Persecution is that squeamish underbelly of our faith. Ever read Fox’s Book of Martyrs? I have a mixed response to that classic. On one hand, I am in awe of the courage of the martyrs. On the other hand, I am nervous that I might have to do the same.

Try to read Fox’s Book of Martyrs, though. It is an amazing account of faith under fire. In fact, the first century martyrs are one of the most powerful arguments for the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. These were largely eyewitnesses to Jesus’ death and resurrection. They were willing to die for what they saw.

Although the Jews of Jerusalem were pretty hard on the early Christians (they stoned Stephen and ran most of the believers out of Jerusalem), the Romans were worse when they finally began their harassments. Herod Agrippa I, who was a Roman governor in Jerusalem, found such great approval from the Jews when he had James killed that he went after Peter. The story of Peter’s miraculous escape is recorded in Acts 12.

But the Romans really got rocking and rolling when Nero decided to blame the Christians for the devastating fire in Rome in 64 AD. They made an easy scapegoat: they were a small group without much political power. That’s usually the pattern.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Nero came up with some disgusting ways to entertain the people as he cut down Christians. The believers were sometimes sewn into the skins of wild animals and then left with a pack of dogs. Some were coated with wax, killed, and then used to illuminate the emperor’s gardens.

Persecution was not just a first century game. The Romans intended to absolutely extinguish Christianity in the 4^th century, right before Constantine miraculously met Jesus and became a believer.

I mention this because of a recent news report. Persecution of Christians has become normal in many parts of the world, although it is seldom reported in the major media markets. In Turkey, Christian men were arrested and hideously murdered in mid-April. Here’s the link.

Believers facing persecution, whether in the first century or today, have to be absolutely convinced of what they see and believe. Persecution is the refiner’s fire.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." (Acts 7:59-60)