The Persecution of the Apostles and the Church

Jim ButlerJohn 16:1–4

Christ's warning in John 16:1–4 that the apostles and the church will be expelled from synagogues and killed is not given to produce fear but to prevent stumbling. The sermon works through two movements: the purpose of Jesus' instruction (verse 1) and the nature of the church's enemies (verses 2–4), showing that persecution is religiously motivated and theologically driven by a denial of the Trinity. The world's hatred of Christ's servants follows necessarily from its hatred of Christ Himself, and remembrance of His warnings equips believers for preparation, encouragement, perseverance, and pity toward those who persecute. The sermon closes in 1 Timothy 1:12–17 with the apostle Paul as the supreme exhibit of divine mercy toward the chief of sinners — the former persecutor who became the persecuted.