Have you ever exercised? Whether it’s weightlifting or some sort of cardio, most personal trainers and workout enthusiasts point to the importance of resistance training as the best way to get results. When you lift weights, the muscles that you’re focusing on actually tear during the workout and then grow when they heal back. Resistance produces growth.
Our spiritual lives can be viewed through the same lens. When nothing that we do involves resistance, it’s unlikely that we become stronger. The concept of God’s people growing stronger through persecution isn’t new. While we’re going to look at the persecution of the New Testament Church and the growth that the persecution produced, it’s important to understand that God’s people have been growing stronger through adversity for thousands of years.
Exodus 1:12 (ESV)
But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.
When Israel was in Egyptian bondage before God delivered them and brought them into the Promised Land, the Egyptians did everything possible to make life harder for them. However, the Bible says that the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied. It finally got to the point where the captors were scared of the captives!
God’s people have a long history of growing in the face of persecution, resistance and adversity. What does that look like for us? Let’s take a look into God’s Word.
Developing a Firm Foundation
Acts 2:42 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
You’ve probably heard of persecutions and other trials that we face in life compared to storms. It’s a sound analogy that Christ even used Himself. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus discussed the importance of having our foundation in His teachings so when the storms of life hit, we can withstand them. The most important part about being able to grow in the face of persecution is having a firm foundation.
The Church in the Book of Acts was heavily persecuted. The government leaders of that generation were the same ones who had crucified Christ. The religious leaders of the time were the same ones who had set up the entire crucifixion. If they were willing to murder Christ for His teachings, it stands to reason that they would target the followers who now tried to spread the same message.
The early Church built its foundation on three principles:
• The apostles’ teachings
• Fellowship and breaking of bread
• The prayers
If you are going to thrive in the face of struggle, you will also need the same foundational principles. First of all, it’s crucial that you take in Biblically sound teaching and preaching. Being a part of a local church (which we will discuss again in a moment) where a pastor teaches and preaches God’s Word ensures that you are able to withstand the storms of adversity.
It’s also important to connect with a local church because we need fellowship with other believers just like the early church did. “Breaking of bread” refers to the fact that they would spend time in one another’s homes, eating and connecting on a deeper level. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend all your free time at someone’s house or hosting dinner parties in your own home. Instead, it simply speaks to the importance of having fellowship with other believers. When you connect with others who are on the same faith journey you’re on, you can encourage one another.
Finally, prayer is a crucial element of growing in the face of adversity. When you spend your time in constant communication with God, you’re able to make your requests known to Him while also receiving a supernatural infusion of His power in your life.
Sowing While Scattered
Acts 8:4 (ESV)
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
After the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the early Church was enthusiastic about their faith. Do you remember when you first accepted Christ as your Savior? Maybe that was years ago or perhaps you’ve just started your faith journey. Regardless of how long ago you were saved, it’s important that you remember the enthusiasm that you feel about your new relationship.
Based on the research of Biblical historians the numbers discussed in Acts 2, it’s believed that roughly 25,000 people went from Jerusalem after the Day of Pentecost to spread the Gospel message. 25,000 people talking to other people about Jesus. Were they in danger? Yes. Were they willing to take the chance? Absolutely.
The verse we just read in Acts 8 took place directly after the first Biblical account of martyrdom. Stephen, a preaching deacon from the earliest church had been stoned to death for the Gospel. Acts 8:1 teaches us that Saul (who became the Apostle Paul) approved of and oversaw his execution. However, while the Church was being persecuted, they didn’t stop spreading the message. Instead, “those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
When they were chased out of Jerusalem, they went into another town and spread the Gospel. When they were chased out of that town, they went somewhere else and preached the Word. They viewed their scattering as an opportunity to sow the seed of the Gospel.
Resistance provides an opportunity. When we view our own persecutions, trials and tribulations as an opportunity instead of an excuse, we can spread the Good News of the Gospel in an even more effective way.
Follow the Leader
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV)
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Did you ever play follow the leader as a child? If not, the premise of the game was pretty simple. One player would serve as the “leader,” while everyone else who played simply had to follow that leader and do the things that he or she did. The leader stayed at the front of the pack and took them wherever he or she thought was the best place.
Our spiritual walk is all about following our Leader. In the years that saw the birth of the early Church, they were fully committed to following God’s guidance. They didn’t spend a lot of time questioning; they simply went where the Spirit of God urged them to go. While we think that they were different because they saw miracles, signs and wonders, that’s simply not the case. The same Holy Spirit who led them also leads us.
God does not enjoy seeing His people suffer. That’s not how He operates. However, He is capable of using the resistance that we face as a means of spreading His Gospel to those who have yet to truly be exposed to His Message of hope.
Even when you’re facing resistance and adversity, remember that you are following a Divine Leader. God took the early Church into places where they needed to go and used their positioning to grow the Church. In fact, people were being saved every single day! In the same vein, God can use your adversity to help you grow.
None of us are inclined to embrace resistance. When we face adversity, we do everything that we can to avoid it and to lessen its impact. That’s natural. However, in some cases, there’s simply no way to avoid it. However, those moments of tribulation can prove to benefit our development. God is with you in adversity, and He can use it for His purpose.
A Closing Prayer:
God, You know that I didn’t want to experience the type of persecution, resistance and adversity that I’m facing. However, I know that You are capable of using it to help me grow and develop just like You did with the early Church. Help me to see Your hand at work in my life, even when things seem to be going badly. In Christ’s name, Amen.