On several occasions the Apostle Paul and his team moved on from certain places when persecution arose. However, what about the threat of persecution? On occasions when hostile parties merely threatened persecution without yet engaging in it, what was the response of early disciples of Christ?
Two particular passages shed light on this issue in the New Testament. The first is Acts 4, in which the Apostles Peter and John stood before a tribunal of Jewish religious leaders. After becoming “greatly annoyed because [Peter and John] were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2), various Jewish leaders called in Peter and John to give an account of their acts of healing and gospel proclamation. Peter and John then confounded the leaders because of their bold declarations before the tribunal.
Knowing that Peter and John had performed miracles in the sight of the people, yet desiring to put a stop to their activities, the religious leaders concluded: “In order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in [Jesus’] name” (Acts 4:17). So the they “threatened them,” but ultimately “let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened” (Acts 4:21).
In response to this threat of persecution, Peter and John pressed on in ministry. Together with the local church, they prayed, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29–30). The Holy Spirit filled those who were praying, who then “continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Rather than retreat or discontinue their gospel ministry, the continued to advance. They recognized the threat of persecution but remained undeterred.
Acts 21 reveals a similar response. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem when a prophet named Agabus warned Paul of impending persecution. Agabus “took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles”’” (Acts 21:11). The others who were with Paul at that moment then urged him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12).
Responding to the possibility of persecution and those urging him to retreat, Paul declared, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13; see also Acts 20:22–24).
Similar to Peter and John, Paul here pressed on in his work of gospel proclamation. The threats against his life were very real, and he had reason to believe that such persecution would come to fruition in his life. Yet the threat of persecution did not unnerve him and neither did it prevent him from doing what he knew God had called him to do.
To my recollection, these are the only two passages that reveal how post-resurrection disciples of Jesus responded to the threat of persecution, and they provide a valuable precedent for believers today.
There are times when persecution is actual—that is, those who oppose the faith beat, imprison, and even martyr followers of Jesus. In response to such persecution, Paul and other co-laborers of his sometimes fled to other areas.
Yet when persecution remains at the level threat or possibility, the biblical precedent for believers is not to flee, but rather to keep pressing forward in ministry, boldly demonstrating and declaring the gospel to unbelievers. If all it took to stop the spread of the gospel was to threaten Jesus’ followers, then the enemy would secure an easy victory.
Thus, when facing threats of persecution, let us remain steadfast in hope and undeterred in the work of gospel ministry, knowing that the Lord himself is with us always, to the end of the age (Matt 28:20).