Persecution, a catalyst for church growth - 28 October 2026
Imogen Campbell
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Acts 8:4, NIV
Living for Christ has sometimes ended in death for stalwarts of the faith. John 15:20 explicitly states: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
Years ago, God started to reveal eschatological passages to me. At the time, there was very little sign of it, excuse the pun. A decade later and it is mainstream news.
As wars, rumours of wars, and nations raging against each other continue, and as we hear of famines and earthquakes as precursors to a time of great suffering, some of Jesus’ most haunting words recorded in Matthew 24:9 come to mind: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”
Persecution is nothing new. Saul of Tarsus, named after a place in modern-day Türkiye, was instrumental in the persecution experienced by the Jerusalem church in its early days.
Acts 8:1-4 reveals how Saul approved of Stephen’s stoning and set out to kill Christians. But as we also saw, God stopped him in his tracks. Later, the Lord showed him how much he would suffer for the name of God.
The effect it had on the church though was expansive as illustrated by the passage above. The message spread like wildfire.
A faithful saint called Polycarp was once the bishop in a town then called Smyrna, near Ephesus also in modern-day Türkiye. He is said to have been one of the last to sit at the feet of the Apostle, John. Another parallel to Paul who sat under Gamaliel.
At about the age of 86, Polycarp was arrested by Roman authorities during a time of persecution. He was expected to renounce his faith in God, and pledge allegiance to Caesar. The account of his martyrdom records that he refused; explicitly declaring that he knew who his King was and could not betray him.
He was sentenced to death at the pyre. Legend has it that when they set him on fire, it billowed all around him but did not kill him – instead it emitted a sweet aroma. To finish him off, they then stabbed him with a dagger. Sound familiar? His copious blood put out the flames.
Deus Vult (“God wills it”), some medieval knight might have shouted going into battle. Polycarp certainly battled to the end. What would put out your fiery fervour of faith?
Prayer: Lord, nobody wants to die. Help us to stand strong in our faith. Amen.