SOME POSSIBLE FORMS THAT PERSECUTION MAY
TAKE
I Peter 2:19-24

Suffering is a part of the life of every true believer.   There are at least 33 possible ways that one
may suffer.

  1. For righteousness' sake.   Matt. 5:10; I Pet. 3:14.
  2. By slander (evil report) Jerm. 20:10; Ps. 31:13; Job 19:19; Ps. 41:9; 55:12-14; II Tim. 3:3;
    Luke 6:22.
  3. Shame.   Prov. 25:8; open embarrassment, dishonour or disgrace.   Manner in which our
    Lord was accused of being conceived, born out-of-wedlock; also, manner in which His
    nakedness was openly displayed on the cross.   Heb. 13:13; 11:26.
  4. Falsely accused.   Ps. 35:11; 27:12; Matt. 5:11; Acts 26:2,7; (Luke 23:2,5,10; Mark 14:55-
    60); Acts 16:19-23; 6:13.
  5. Ensnare through deceit, trapping, tricks, seeking ways to accuse.   Dan. 6:4,5; Luke 11:54;
    Matt. 10:16-18.
  6. Object of conspiracy.   II Sam. 15:12; Gen. 37:18; II Cor. 11:32; Acts 9:23.
  7. Mocked - Ps. 42:3 - to scorn, to snear, to make a play of.   Job 12:4; Matt.
    27:29,31,41; Acts 2:13; 17:32; 17:18; Heb. 11:36.
  8. Betrayed - treated treacherously.   Matt. 24:10; Luke 21:16.
  9. Despised - to have contempt for, to loathe, to think nothing of, to consider without honour.
    Luke 10:10; I Cor. 1:28; I Cor. 4:10c.
  10. Hated by family.   Matt. 10:21,34-36; (Micah 7:6) Luke 21:16.

  11. Hated by men.   Luke 21:17; Matt. 10:22.
  12. Defamation of character, libel, slander, evil report.   Jer. 20:10; Ps. 31:13; Job 19:19; I Pet.
    2:12; I Cor. 4:13.
  13. Feared by own people.   Acts 9:26.
  14. Subject to special trials.   I Cor. 4:9-14; II Cor. 11:23-28.
  15. Imprisoned.   Luke 21:12; Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4; 16:24; II Cor. 11:23c; Heb. 11:36b; II Cor.
    6:5.
  16. Beaten.   Acts 5:40; 16:23; II Cor. 11:24; Matt. 10:17; II Cor. 6:5.
  17. Contradicting.   Acts 13:45.
  18. Stir against.   Acts 6:12; 13:50; 14:2, 19; 19:23,25,26,29; 21:27.
  19. Press charges before authorities.   Acts 18:12; Matt. 10:17,18.
  20. Threatened.   Acts 4:18,21; 5:40.
  21. Stoned.   Acts 7:58,59; 14:19; II Cor. 11:25; Heb. 11:37.
  22. Afflictions.   II Tim. 3:11; Ps. 34:19.
  23. Expulsion.   Acts 13:50; John 16:2a.
  24. Vex.   Acts 12:1.
  25. Exhaustion, extreme fatigue.   II Cor. 11:27.
  26. Hunger and thirst.   II Cor. 11:27; I Cor. 4:11.
  27. Spectacle.   I Cor. 4:9 (Acts 9:16; 20:23; 21:11) Heb. 10:33a.
  28. Suffer physical need.   I Cor. 4:11; Phil. 4:12; Heb. 11:37; II Cor. 6:4.
  29. Severe workload - hard labour.   I Cor. 4:12; II Cor. 11:23; I Thess. 2:9.
  30. Martyrdom.   Luke 21:16; Acts 7:59; 12:2; John 16:2.

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  1. Afflictions.   II Tim. 1:8; II Tim. 4:5; Heb. 11:37; Matt. 24:9a; Ps. 34:19; II Cor. 2:4; 4:17;
    II Cor. 6:4; Heb. 10:32,33; Col. 1:24; I Thess. 1:6; [3:3,7]; Heb. 11:25; James 5:10.
  2. Poverty.   II Cor. 6:10; Phil. 4:12.
  3. Loss of property and material goods.   Heb. 10:34b.

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