How Should Christians Respond to Persecution?
“Unlock your phone and show it to us or we won’t let you enter our country,” the immigration official demanded. Seizing his phone, the officers checked the emails, Facebook, WhatsApp and other private messages of the nervous missionary. Though they allowed him to enter the country in the end, it was not a comfortable experience. How are Christians to respond to persecution in the changing environment of missions today?
Missions
Listening Well
With the recent events, I’ve been listening to senior mentors in missions. What are our elders (those in their 70s and 80s) saying? They have wisdom and the perspective of history as they think about this. Persecution is not new, though it does seem to be growing.
It is also important to listen well to national leaders in countries where persecution is on the rise.
This leads us to vital questions we must ask about how we do missions today.
Failing to prepare for the removal of all foreign donations, personnel,
Likewise, serious action to correct unhealthy dependency on foreign funds and personnel must be a priority.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matt 5:10 NIV
What Church Leaders In Persecuted Nations Are Saying
Randy Alcorn published a blog that includes a translated letter written by Pastor Wang Yi. He and over 100 members of Early Rain Covenant Church, were arrested in December 2018. As Alcorn points out, we have much to learn from what he says.
What stood out to me most was the fact that Pastor Yi’s goal was not to change the political situation. Instead, he was concerned about proclaiming Christ.
He writes, “I do not have the intention of changing any institutions or laws of (country name removed). As a pastor, the only thing I care about is the disruption of man’s sinful nature by this faithful disobedience and the testimony it bears for the cross of Christ.” How much is gospel proclamation our goal and priority? Do we share his sentiments?
Faithful Disobedience- A Christian Response to Persecution
In an Appendix to the letter, Wang Yi defines what he means by “faithful disobedience.”
“I firmly believe that the Bible has not given any branch of any government the authority to run the church or to interfere with the faith of Christians. Therefore, the Bible demands that I, through peaceable means, in meek resistance and active forbearance, filled with joy, resist all administrative policies and legal measures that oppress the church and interfere with the faith of Christians.
I firmly believe this is a spiritual act of disobedience. In modern authoritarian regimes that persecute the church and oppose the gospel, spiritual disobedience is an inevitable part of the gospel movement.
I firmly believe that spiritual disobedience is an act of the last times; it is a witness to God’s eternal kingdom in the temporal kingdom of sin and evil. Disobedient Christians follow the example of the crucified Christ by walking the path of the cross. Peaceful disobedience is the way in which we love the world as well as the way in which we avoid becoming part of the world.”
Indian Leaders Say We Must Look To Scripture
India is another giant when it comes to unreached peoples. Government restrictions and persecution are also on the rise in that nation. Victor C., an Indian movement leader who has seen hundreds of thousands come to faith through his networks wrote the following:
In response to an inquiry from Luis Bush about Pastor Wang Yi’s letter he wrote. “Interestingly, a similar thing happened recently here in India. The government cracked down on a regular gathering on an open ground where around 4/5000 believers met to worship on Sundays. The pastor and a few others had been taken into police custody. Any believers going into that site were thrashed by the police.
As I have been handling a lot of persecutions in the past, they rang me up and asked what to do. I told them, “Do what Yeshua told you to do.” They asked me, what did he teach? I said, for a starter – “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt. 5:11-12). Secondly, “Love your enemies and pray for them so you will be children of your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:44-45)
Then they asked, “What do we pray?” I said pray as the disciples prayed when they were threatened, “Lord,
They said “OK. What about meeting at the place they used to?” I said do what they did. After the 3000 were baptized, they quit the temple. They broke bread and shared the whole wisdom of God from house to house. Acts 20: 20,27. Also when persecution broke out in Jerusalem, resulting in the martyrdom of Stephen, they were scattered abroad, and the gospel went ballistic because wherever they went, they preached both to the Jews and the Gentiles. Acts 8:4; 11:20-21
Result: 1. New believers were added every day (Acts 2:47; 2. Disciples multiplied (Acts 6:1,7; Ecclesias grew in numbers daily (16:5)
Finally, they asked me then what do we do about the pastor and others who are in police custody. Again, I said to them to do what Yeshua has told you, “Do your utmost to settle the matter quickly with your accusers”; (while still in the police station otherwise you will have to bail them out and go through a costly, timewasting and never-ending court case, with no guarantee of justice) …” Matt. 5:12 They said, we need to come and spend some time with you. I said you are welcome.
We know that persecution is guaranteed for true Christians; “If they persecuted me (Yeshua), they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20)
What Missionary Historians and Elders Are Saying
One of my mentors served in the same country as Pastor Wang Yi, in Vietnam, and other restricted access countries.
He’s been reflecting on what has been happening these past few months. He wrote, “The darkness developing in (country name removed) will not last forever. Maybe 5 years. Maybe 15 years. Maybe 25 years.
Persecution and suffering in the Russian church lasted from approximately 1920 until 1990. The earlier severe persecution of the (country name removed) church lasted from approximately 1950 until
Scripture teaches that persecution produces endurance, which produces strong disciples.
One responsibility of leaders outside of (country name removed) is not to work against or destroy what God intends to produce in the (country name removed) church through suffering. Persecution and suffering might produce stronger disciples than all the Korean, Texan, North Carolina, or California Bible studies taught by foreigners.
During a time of sifting, much stubble will be burned up. Saul’s armor will be cast aside by young David’s. Some contemporary Western mission paradigms will be left behind.
We never know in advance which believers will rise and assume leadership of the persecuted church.”
Questions To Discuss and Ponder
As missionaries, let’s prayerfully consider current events. We must do so whether we serve in restrictive countries where persecution is on the rise or not. Matthew 24 speaks to the importance of understanding the times.
- How will you respond to growing persecution around the world?
- What does “faithful disobedience” mean for your context and life?
- How would God have you pray for Wang Yi’s country, for India and other nations where persecution is growing?
- What can you do to prepare local believers where you work for sustained growth under persecution?
- Are there any things you are doing that would not be sustained if all cross-cultural missionaries had to leave? If all funding from outside was suddenly cut off?
If you are i
What other questions does this situation spark in your mind and heart? Let me know in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.