Check Your Faith: Would Your Faith Land You in Prison?
Are you ready to stand for Christ when the cost becomes real? Discover what “prison-worthy faith” looks like through the example of the apostles, and decide now if you’ll stand firm when persecution comes.
Do you have the kind of faith that will get you thrown in prison?
This isn’t about being loud for the sake of trouble — it’s about whether your faith is unshakable when the cost becomes real.
It’s the Acts 4 and Acts 5 kind of faith — the “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) faith. If you were treated like the apostles, how would you hold up? Would your faith fold? Would you still stand, speaking the truth as they beat you and haul you away? Do you know what it means to suffer for Christ?
We’ve been warned. The time is coming when standing for Christ won’t just cost you popularity — it may cost you your freedom. Your job. Your safety. Maybe even your life. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). He also said, “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).
This isn’t fearmongering. It’s preparation.
Faith That Stands or Folds
Ask yourself:
Would I still proclaim Christ if it meant losing my job?
Would I still gather with believers if it were outlawed?
Would I still speak biblical truth if it meant being labeled hateful or intolerant?
Would I go to prison rather than deny Him?
What if they beat you — would you still stand firm?
“Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). That’s not a possibility. That’s a promise.
What Happened to the Apostles?
The apostles didn’t preach for applause. They preached because they had seen the risen Christ — and they were willing to die for Him. Peter was crucified upside down. James was executed by sword. Andrew was crucified. Thomas was speared. Philip was tortured. Bartholomew was flayed. Matthew was stabbed. James (son of Alphaeus) was clubbed. Thaddeus was shot with arrows. Simon the Zealot was sawn in half. John was boiled in oil and exiled.
They didn’t fold. They stood.
And Stephen — he wasn’t even an apostle. Just a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He preached truth, and they stoned him. As the rocks flew, he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). Jesus stood to welcome him home.
What Would You Do?
If persecution came tomorrow, would your faith endure? Would you speak truth even if it meant stones? Would you rejoice that you were considered worthy to suffer shame for His name?
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
The time to decide isn’t when the storm hits. It’s now.
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler
I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.
This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.
Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)