Special Grace and Anointing for the Suffering Church. Mark 13:9-13
““9) But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10) The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11) When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12) Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13) You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Mark 13:9-13
Trying to attach a time frame to these verses is difficult. This harsh treatment of Christians was very applicable to the persecution endured by the early church. It has also become increasingly more applicable in the past few centuries as the gospel has spread quickly around the world.
Such is the nature of much of what Jesus said in these verses. They can be equally applied throughout the whole span of church history.
Verse 11 has special significance to any believer enduring persecution before governors, magistrates or judges. The Holy Spirit gives a special grace and utterance of speech to those under trail for the gospel. Let me underscore this point.
In Acts 3-4, this grace and anointing was given to Peter and John as they stood befit the Jewish council. In Acts 4:29-31, this special anointing and boldness was the prayer request of the early church leaders. In Acts 5, this grace was given again to the apostles after the angel released them from prison. In Acts 7 amazing unction was give to Stephen to speak to those who eventually stoned him. Thoughout the rest of the book of Acts, Paul was repeatedly given special grace and utterance by the Holy Spirit as he stood before many governors and magistrates for the defense of the gospel.
Stories from Foxes Book of Martyrs report the same poise, grace and utterance given to countless Christians as they stood before their accusers or faced death in the coliseums of Rome. This supernatural grace and poise became the signature of the early Christians when facing death for the sake of the gospel.
Peter specifically wrote about this special grace and anointing given to the suffering church. In 1 Peter 4:12- 14 he wrote; “12) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13) but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14) If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
This has been true throughout church history whenever Christians have been targeted for persecution. It has been amplified again in the modern church since the Reformation. This past century alone has seen a rise of suffering and persecution for the gospel much like in the early church. God gives a special grace and anointing to those set apart to defend the gospel with their very lives.
I write all of this to underline the point that Mark 13:9-13 has been applicable throughout the whole of church history. This promise from Jesus of a supernatural grace and anointing when suffering for the gospel has rested on His bride from the beginning of the church age.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
““9) But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10) The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11) When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12) Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13) You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Mark 13:9-13
Trying to attach a time frame to these verses is difficult. This harsh treatment of Christians was very applicable to the persecution endured by the early church. It has also become increasingly more applicable in the past few centuries as the gospel has spread quickly around the world.
Such is the nature of much of what Jesus said in these verses. They can be equally applied throughout the whole span of church history.
Verse 11 has special significance to any believer enduring persecution before governors, magistrates or judges. The Holy Spirit gives a special grace and utterance of speech to those under trail for the gospel. Let me underscore this point.
In Acts 3-4, this grace and anointing was given to Peter and John as they stood befit the Jewish council. In Acts 4:29-31, this special anointing and boldness was the prayer request of the early church leaders. In Acts 5, this grace was given again to the apostles after the angel released them from prison. In Acts 7 amazing unction was give to Stephen to speak to those who eventually stoned him. Thoughout the rest of the book of Acts, Paul was repeatedly given special grace and utterance by the Holy Spirit as he stood before many governors and magistrates for the defense of the gospel.
Stories from Foxes Book of Martyrs report the same poise, grace and utterance given to countless Christians as they stood before their accusers or faced death in the coliseums of Rome. This supernatural grace and poise became the signature of the early Christians when facing death for the sake of the gospel.
Peter specifically wrote about this special grace and anointing given to the suffering church. In 1 Peter 4:12- 14 he wrote; “12) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13) but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14) If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
This has been true throughout church history whenever Christians have been targeted for persecution. It has been amplified again in the modern church since the Reformation. This past century alone has seen a rise of suffering and persecution for the gospel much like in the early church. God gives a special grace and anointing to those set apart to defend the gospel with their very lives.
I write all of this to underline the point that Mark 13:9-13 has been applicable throughout the whole of church history. This promise from Jesus of a supernatural grace and anointing when suffering for the gospel has rested on His bride from the beginning of the church age.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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