Suffering for the Gospel: Luke 21:12-15
““12) But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13) It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14) So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15) for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.” Luke 21:12-15
Jesus made it clear that formal state persecution would lead to an opportunity for witnessing and testimony. It would become a vehicle to spread the gospel.
He promised that the Holy Spirit would give them utterance before kings and governors as a means to spread the gospel. This certainly happened for the Apostle Paul.
Verse 14 is a bit controversial. It says; “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves.” Some take this to mean “don’t prepare a verbal defense in advance.” He was promising that the Holy Spirit would give you words and wisdom in the hour of your verbal defense.
But there could be another meaning. Jesus may have been saying; “Do not taking up arms against the state to defend yourself.”
This was the practice of the early church. They refrained from violence and insurrection against their persecutors. They chose instead to suffer for the sake of the gospel.
This was also the practice of church through the ages. The doctrine of martyrdom is based on this approach. Christians have always been prepared to die for the gospel.
This does not seem to apply to self defense against personal violence or service in the military to defend your nation. The Bible is full of illustration of mighty men, soldiers and the armies of Israel. This verse does not seem to be a call to passivity.
At the same time, God was always looked to as a shield, defense, stronghold and refuge as seen throughout the book of Psalms. God is our protector. He should always be our first line of defense.
Every believer needs to resolve the issues of self defense. Peter addressed some of this in 1 Peter 4:12-19. The key hinges on graciously being ready to suffer for the gospel verses being a bully or crooked in your own character.
Some suffering is self inflicted. Some suffering is the consequences of your own choices. Suffering can be the result of the Law of the Sower as explained in Galatians 6:6-10.
The key is living a godly life with a clear conscience in the context of engaging in the Great Commission. Suffering in this context should be viewed as the biblical persecution Jesus was taking about in this context.
This kind of suffering has been present throughout church history. It will increase as the end times approach.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
““12) But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13) It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14) So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15) for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.” Luke 21:12-15
Jesus made it clear that formal state persecution would lead to an opportunity for witnessing and testimony. It would become a vehicle to spread the gospel.
He promised that the Holy Spirit would give them utterance before kings and governors as a means to spread the gospel. This certainly happened for the Apostle Paul.
Verse 14 is a bit controversial. It says; “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves.” Some take this to mean “don’t prepare a verbal defense in advance.” He was promising that the Holy Spirit would give you words and wisdom in the hour of your verbal defense.
But there could be another meaning. Jesus may have been saying; “Do not taking up arms against the state to defend yourself.”
This was the practice of the early church. They refrained from violence and insurrection against their persecutors. They chose instead to suffer for the sake of the gospel.
This was also the practice of church through the ages. The doctrine of martyrdom is based on this approach. Christians have always been prepared to die for the gospel.
This does not seem to apply to self defense against personal violence or service in the military to defend your nation. The Bible is full of illustration of mighty men, soldiers and the armies of Israel. This verse does not seem to be a call to passivity.
At the same time, God was always looked to as a shield, defense, stronghold and refuge as seen throughout the book of Psalms. God is our protector. He should always be our first line of defense.
Every believer needs to resolve the issues of self defense. Peter addressed some of this in 1 Peter 4:12-19. The key hinges on graciously being ready to suffer for the gospel verses being a bully or crooked in your own character.
Some suffering is self inflicted. Some suffering is the consequences of your own choices. Suffering can be the result of the Law of the Sower as explained in Galatians 6:6-10.
The key is living a godly life with a clear conscience in the context of engaging in the Great Commission. Suffering in this context should be viewed as the biblical persecution Jesus was taking about in this context.
This kind of suffering has been present throughout church history. It will increase as the end times approach.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
