Trials and Persecutions of Ministers.

23 But when they

that endureth to the end shall be saved. persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord: if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? — 23: 34 Behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city.

Jn. 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.-17: 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Ac. 5: 40 To him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Ac. 7: 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.-9: 15 The Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.-20: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me.

1 Cor. 4: 9 I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; 12 And labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; 13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day.

2 Cor. 1: 5 As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also

Trials and Persecutions of Ministers.

suffer or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.-4: 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.- -6: 4 In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 8 By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.-11: 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Gal. 1: 10 Do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.—5: 11 I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

1 Th. 3: 3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

2 Tim. 2: 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good

Ministerial Success.

soldier of Jesus Christ. 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. -3: 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Rev. 1: 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. [See 68, 511.]

468. Success in preaching promised, encouraged, and exemplified.

Jer. 23: 22 If they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Dan. 12: 3 They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.

Mk. 1: 17 Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

Jn. 4: 36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice together.

Ac. 11: 24 He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.14: 1 It came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude, both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed.

1 Tim. 4: 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. [See 432.]

469. Is present success always in proportion to faithfulness?

Is. 49: 4 I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain; yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.-53: 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Ezk. 3: 7 The house of Israel will not hearken unto thee;

Ministers encouraged.

for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.

Jn. 12: 37 Though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Ac. 13: 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. [See 435.]

470. Faithful ministers encouraged and rewarded by God.

Jer. 1:18 For behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.-15: 19 Thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. 20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

Ezk. 3: 8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 As an adamant, harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a

rebellious house.

Mat. 28: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even. unto the end of the world.

Lk. 6: 22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of

Ministers to be prayed for-Ministerial Support.

man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.-21: 15 I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

2 Tim. 4: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. [See 630.]

471. Faithful ministers to be prayed for.

Ep. 6: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

1 Th. 5: 25 Brethren, pray for us.

2 Th. 3: 1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

472. Faithful ministers should be supported.

Num. 18: 21 Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Mal. 3: 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house.

Mat. 10: 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: (for the workman is worthy of his meat.)

Jn. 13: 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.

1 Cor. 9: 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple, and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Gal. 6: 6 Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

1 Th. 5: 12 We beseech you, brethren, to know them which