12th Sep 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Facing severe persecution
Acts 16 - Series 04/Episode 19 - Tue 04th Aug 2026 - Facing severe persecution - Acts 16:16-40 - EXPERIENCES AT PHILIPPI - II Corinthians 12:09-10
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_Acts 16:22-24 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. (23) And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. (24) Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The apostles were stripped of their clothing and beaten with rods. Why would the Lord allow His children to suffer such unjust, severe and humiliating persecution? Yet, this was the specific word for Paul. Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. (16) For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."
Paul was a chosen vessel of the Lord to bear the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Paul would have to suffer many things for the name of Jesus.
This is what the Lord told us. John 15:18-21 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. (19) If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (20) Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (21) But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. It is sad and tragic that the people of the world do not know the one true God, and since they do not know Him, they persecute His people.
Paul was sure that chains and tribulations awaited him everywhere. This did not trouble him at all. His only passion was for the Gospel. Acts 20:22-24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul's suffering was the fulfilment of the word of the Lord about him to Ananias. II Corinthians 11:23-28 Are they ministers of Christ?-I speak as a fool-I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. (24) From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. (25) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27) in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness- (28) besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Paul was clear that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ would suffer. II Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. / Philippians 1:28-29 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (29) For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Paul prepared us not to be terrified of our adversaries. Calmness in the face of suffering is proof to those who harm us of their eternal destruction. That calmness is also the proof to us of our salvation.
Our strength in the face of suffering comes from the truth that the Lord is with us. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' It is when we are weak that we are strong in Jesus. This is because we experience His grace in abundant measure. II Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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