Persecute/Persecution

To harm or destroy, sometimes by injury or torture. Usually people are persecuted because of their beliefs. Prophets were sometimes persecuted in the Old Testament. Daniel, for example, refused to stop praying to God and was therefore thrown into a den of lions. In New Testament times, many who believed in Jesus were persecuted. The disciples were thrown into prison, beaten, and killed because of their beliefs. Many first-century Christians were often persecuted because they would not say, “Caesar is Lord.” The New Testament teaches that Christians should be prepared for persecution.