By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow 

Throughout Christian history, persecution has been a painful but persistent thread woven into the faith’s global story.

From the martyrdom of early apostles to the underground churches of modern-day China and Iran, followers of Christ have often suffered for their allegiance to the gospel. In some of these instances, Christianity did not just survive — it grew. This paradox has prompted a compelling theological and historical question: Is persecution necessary for the growth of Christianity?

The short answer is no — persecution is not required for Christianity to flourish. However, the longer and more meaningful answer is that God often uses persecution as a means of refining the church, advancing the gospel, and drawing people into deeper faith.

This truth echoes the words of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, where he tells his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (ESV). The same principle applies to Christian persecution: what Satan or wicked systems intend for harm, God can, and often does, redeem for his purposes.

The early church provides perhaps the clearest example of growth amid persecution. Beginning with the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 and the systematic targeting of Christians by Roman emperors such as Nero and Diocletian, followers of Jesus endured social exclusion, imprisonment, torture, and execution. Yet this was also a period of exponential growth. By the early fourth century, Christianity had spread across the Roman Empire, even without political power or legal recognition.

As early Christian theologian Tertullian famously wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”(1) In his view, martyrdom did not extinguish the church — it fueled it. The courage and faith of persecuted Christians served as a living testimony that attracted new believers and solidified the resolve of existing ones.

Similar patterns can be observed in more recent history. In China, the Communist Revolution of 1949 resulted in the expulsion of missionaries and the closure of churches. For decades, Christianity was driven underground. Yet despite, or perhaps because of, harsh repression, the number of Christians in China grew from fewer than 1 million in the 1950s to more than 247 million today.(2) The gospel spread, not through public revival meetings, but through whispered prayers, house churches, and acts of quiet, defiant faith.

Contrary to common narratives in Western media that associate Christianity with decline, particularly in Europe and North America, global Christianity is experiencing growth. As of 2023, Christianity remains the world’s largest religion, with an estimated 2.6 billion adherents. Growth is robust in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia.(3)

In Africa, for example, the number of Christians has surged from 9 million in 1900 to more than 685 million in 2023. Similarly, Latin America, once predominantly Catholic, is witnessing a boom in evangelical and Pentecostal movements. Even in countries where persecution is rampant, such as Iran, underground churches are experiencing significant expansion, with reports estimating hundreds of thousands of converts in recent years.(4) This global growth demonstrates that persecution may accompany revival, but revival also occurs in contexts of relative freedom. The essential driver is not suffering but spirit-led faithfulness.

The Bible does not portray suffering as inherently good, but it does describe how God uses suffering to bring about spiritual maturity and the greater good. Romans 8:28 assures believers that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This does not mean that suffering is pleasurable or desired, but that it is not wasted in God’s hands. The principle of Genesis 50:20 is deeply relevant here. Joseph suffered betrayal, slavery, and false imprisonment — circumstances orchestrated by evil intentions. Yet God used those experiences to position him to save many lives. In the same way, Christian persecution is often a result of malevolent forces — political, spiritual, or cultural. But God can use those very trials to spread the gospel, deepen discipleship, and reveal his glory.

Jesus himself predicted that persecution would accompany true discipleship. In John 15:20, He tells his followers, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” Similarly, Paul writes, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet the New Testament also emphasizes that persecution is not a requirement for effective ministry — it is a possible cost of faithful living.

While history shows that persecution can lead to growth, it would be misleading to suggest that suffering is the only or best environment for Christianity to thrive. The early church also grew in places of relative peace, such as Antioch, where believers first received their name (Acts 11:26). The Protestant Reformation spread rapidly in some areas of Europe with the support of local rulers. In the 19th and 20th centuries, missionary movements flourished in both open and closed societies.

In democratic contexts with religious freedom, the church has access to tools such as education, media, and open dialogue. These can be just as effective, if not more so, for spreading the gospel. Growth in such contexts depends not on persecution, but on the spiritual vitality of the church and its faithfulness to Christ’s mission. The danger in idealizing persecution is that it can foster an unhealthy martyr complex or encourage believers to seek out conflict rather than engage wisely with the culture around them. Jesus did not seek persecution, but he remained faithful when it came. Likewise, the church is not called to pursue suffering, but to remain faithful in the face of it.

Persecution is real, painful, and unjust. Yet for Christians, it is also a moment where faith is tested and refined. 1 Peter 4:12–13 exhorts believers not to be surprised by “the fiery trial” but to rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings. These moments of hardship can serve to purify motives, unify believers, and reveal the power of God in weakness.

More importantly, persecution often forces the church to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than worldly power. When stripped of institutional privilege or social acceptance, Christians are typically driven back to prayer, Scripture, and authentic community. In this sense, persecution can be a severe mercy — an unwanted, painful circumstance that God uses to sharpen the mission and deepen the witness of his people.

Persecution is not necessary for the growth of Christianity, but God often uses it to advance his Kingdom. Like Joseph in Egypt, the early apostles in Jerusalem, and countless unnamed believers across history, Christians have discovered that what the enemy means for evil, God can use for good (Genesis 50:20). This truth does not glorify suffering, but affirms that suffering does not have the final word.

The real catalyst for church growth is not persecution, but rather the power of the Holy Spirit, the witness of faithful believers, and the sovereignty of God. Whether in freedom or in chains, the gospel is never bound (2 Timothy 2:9).

The challenge for Christians today is not to seek persecution but to remain faithful and bold wherever they are planted, trusting that even in hardship, God is at work.

References

1. https://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/bitstream/10443/5517/1/Wimmer%20Linda%20Fanny%20Madeleine%20073216470%20e-copy%20submission.pdf
2. https://cbn.com/news/world/china-set-be-most-christian-nation-2030
3. Johnson, T. M., & Crossing, P. F. (2023). World Christian Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). Edinburgh University Press. 
4. https://www.persecution.org/2023/07/20/the-worlds-fastest-growing-church/

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