Believers Who Were Persecuted or Killed for Their Belief in Jesus- People Wouldn't Be Willing to Die For a Made Up Story

Believers Who Were Persecuted or Killed for Their Belief in Jesus- People Wouldn't Be Willing to Die For a Made Up Story

John Was Beheaded by Herod, Because He Taught the Laws of Jesus

For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And although ;he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Matthew 14:3-5 ...So he [Herod] sent and had John beheaded in prison. Matthew 14:10

Another Passage Telling that Herod Beheaded John, Because He Taught the Laws of Jesus

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Mark 6:16-18

Jesus Took His Disciples to Bethsaida to Escape Herod Finding Them

Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things? So he sought to see Him [Jesus]. And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. then He [Jesus] took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. Luke 9:9-10

Some Jews Wanted to Stone Jesus, Because He Shared That He Was God's Son

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. and I gie them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those words do you stone Me? The Jews answered Him, saying, For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God. John 10-27-33

The Chief Priests Had Been Plotting to Have Lazarus Killed Because He Shared His Faith in Jesus With Many Jews Who Came to Believe in Him as God's Son

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11

The High Priest & Others Were Filled with Indignation and Put Peter in Prison, because He Was Telling People About Jesus

Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life. Acts 5:16-20

They Ploteed to Kill the Disciples Because They Shared How Jesus, the Son of God, Had Risen from the Grave After They Had Hung Him on the Cross

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We out to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Whom you murdered by hanging on a tree [the cross]. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them [kill the disciples]. Acts 5:29-33

The Council Beats the Disciples for Sharing That Jesus Is God's Son, But They Continue to Share This Important Message With Others

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it-lest you even be found to fight against God. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 5:38-42

Men of the Synagogue Arranged for False Witnesses Against Stephen

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, We have heard him speak blasphemeous words against Moses and God. And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses who said, this man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holh place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us. Acts 6:9-14

Stephen Told Them How Their Ancestors Killed the Prophets That Foretold of Jesus, Whom They Had Killed . Being Angry, Bit Stephen With Their Teeth, but He Didn't Stop Sharing About Jesus. They All Ran at Stephen, Cast Him Out of the City and Stoned Him to Death.

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One [Jesus], of Whom you now have become the betrayers and murders, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him [Stephen] with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, Look! I see the heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, lord, do not charge them with this sin. And when he had said this, he fell asleep [died].  Acts 7:52-60

Although There Was a Great Persecution Against Christians After Stephen's Death, Including Saul Entering Every House and Dragging Christians Off to Prison, Christians Scattered, but Continued to Share That Jesus Christ Is God's Son. Would People Risk Their Lives for a Lie? No, That's Another Reason You Know That These Christians Were Sharing the Truth About Jesus or Else They Wouldn't Have Risked Their Lives!

Now Saul was consenting to his [Stephen's] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word. Acts 8:1-4

Saul Continued Threatening and Murdering Christians and Got a Letter from the High Priest to Be Able to Bring Bound Christians to Imprison Them in Jerusalem

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way [Christians], whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2

When Saul, Later Known as Paul Was Converted and Shared Jesus Is the Son of God, People Plotted to Kill Him. This Didn't Stop Him and He Continued Sharing This With Others. Would He Have Risked His Life Many Times Over if He Were Sharing a Lie? No! This is Additional Proof That Jesus Truly Is the Risen Son of God!

Immediately he [Saul] preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now after many days were past, the Jews potted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.  Acts 9:20-25

After Speaking to Jesus and Being Converted, Saul Continued to Share That Jesus Is the Son of God Even Thou the Hellenists Attempted to Kill Saul, Later Known as Paul

And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and He [Jesus] had spoken to him [Saul], and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. so he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. Acts 9:26-29

Peter Is Imprisoned for Sharing That Jesus Chris Is the Son of God, but Is Saved by a Miracle of God

Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, Arise quickly! And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, Gird yourself and tie on your sandals; and so he did. And he said to him, Put on your garment and follow me. So he went out and followed him and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.  Acts 12:1-11  and But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he [Peter] declared to them [the disciples] how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go tell these things to James and to the brethren. and he departed and went to another place. Acts 12:17

The Jews Were Filled with Envy as Paul and Barnabas Shared the Word of God

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:44-52

Even When Paul and Barnabas Escape from a Plan to Abuse and Stone Them, They Continue Elsewhere to Share that Jesus Christ Is the Son of God. Would They Have Continued to Share This and Risk Their Lives If This Was a Lie? No, Which Stands as Proof That Jesus Is Actually the Son of the One True God!

Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs, and wonders to be done at their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempts was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyconia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there. Acts 14:1-7

Paul was Drug Out of the City and Stoned and Suspected as Dead, but Continues Elsewhere with Barnabas to Share Their Faith in Jesus Being the Risen Son of God, Sharing that Christians May Go Through Many Tribulations Before Joining God in Heaven. 

Then the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:19-22

Paul and Silas were Taken to the Authorities, Beaten and Put in Prison for Sharing About Jesus, but Never Stopped, Which Is Proof They Were Sharing the Truth. People Wouldn't Go Through All of That for a Lie

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl posses with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the [evil] spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. [I think it's worthwhile to read the rest.]But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hyms to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners, had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:16-34

Some Evil Men Took Jason and Others Gathered a Mob and Took Them to the Rulers of the City, Because They Had Harbored Paul and Silas Who Taught There Was Another King-Jesus

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king-Jesus. And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:4-10

Paul Was Taken to the Ruler to Defend His Belief in Jesus, Because He Was Sharing His Faith in Jesus to those in Athens Who Had Worshiped Idols 

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What does this babbler want to say? Others said, He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods, because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things into our ears. Acts 17:16-20

Paul Was Taken Before the Judgement Seat, because He Shared That Jesus Was the Risen Son of God

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong doing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be judge of such matters. Acts 15:12-15

Paul Would Not Stop Teaching About Jesus, Despite His Potential Death

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that please pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. Acts 21:12-14

Paul Was Dragged Out of the Temple and Beat, because He Shared His Faith in Jesus to a Mob Who Wanted to Kill Him, but Even When His Life Was Threatened, Paul Never Gave Up Sharing the Truth About Jesus. People Wouldn't Give Up Their Lives for a Made Up Story! 

(For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him!. Acts 21:29-36

Paul Was Questioned While Imprisoned About His Sharing the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day. But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision in your case. Acts 24:20-23

The High Priest and Chief Men Wanted Paul to Be Sent to Jerusalem, Because The Plotted to Ambush Him and Kill Him on the Way There

Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem- while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. Therefore, he said, let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man to see if there is any fault in him. Acts 25:1-5

Paul Was Kept a Prisoner, because the Chief Priests and Elders Wanted Judgment Against Paul for Sharing that Jesus Is the Risen Son of God

When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying: There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priest and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. Acts 25:14-15

Festus Tells King Agrippa that Paul Has Done Nothing Deserving of the Death the Whole Assembly Is Begging for, because Paul Tells People About Jesus' Resurrection from the Dead
And Festus said: King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both a Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Acts 25:24-25

Paul Tells King Agrippa that He as Saul Persecuted the Christians Putting Them to Death, Until He Came to Know Jesus

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Acts 26:6-11

Although Paul Did Nothing Deserving of Death or Extended Imprisonment and Chains, He Continued to Tell the Truth About Jesus Being God's Risen Son. If It Were a Made Up Story, He Wouldn't Have Endured These On-Going Hardships and Risked His Life!
Then Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to become a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether as I am, except for these chains. When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains. Then Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Acts 26:28-32

Paul Continued to Be Shackled in Chains with the Other Prisoners as They Sailed to Italy
And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Acts 27:1

Paul Tells Them That Although He Was Found Guiltless of Anything Deserving of Death, Imprisonment or Chains, because of His Belief in Jesus, He Continues to be Imprisoned. It's Obvious Paul's Tired of Imprisonment and if He Were Telling a Made Up Story, He Would Have Said So. Because Paul Is Telling the Truth of the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, He Continues to Endure These Hardships

And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who, when they had examined me wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. But when the Jews spoke against it, i was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my name. For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and to speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. Acts 28:17-20

Paul Tells How These Two Christian Men Are Also Prisoners, because of Their Faith in Christ
Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:1

Paul Shares That Although He and Many Other Apostles are Condemned to Death, God Uses This to Prove They Are Telling the Truth About His Son, Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and They, Being Strong, Should Continue Sharing Their Faith in Jesus

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands, Being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

Paul Says That Christians Have Become Much More Confident in Their Faith in Jesus, Because of Paul's Enduring Being Imprisoned and Chained. This Proof that He's Sharing the Truth by Enduring All of This Has Helped Other Christians Be Much More Bold In Sharing Their Faith Without Fear

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

Paul Reminds Other Christians that He Is Telling the Truth About Jesus, Because He Has Chosen to Endure Being Chained and Imprisoned All This Time. They Should be Willing to Do the Same

This salutation by my own hand, Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:18

Paul talks About How They Have Suffered Persecution from Their Countrymen as Have the Other Christians and have Forbid Them to Share Salvation in Christ Jesus

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Paul Reminds All Christians to Be Aware That They Should Expect and Endure Persecution for Our Love of Jesus Who Gave His Life for Our Salvation!

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystr-what persecutions I endured, And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:10-12