Christianity in Iran

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39

I am learning more about the growth of Christianity in Iran and I am amazed. How could this level of increase come from so much persecution? Christians are forbidden to evangelize and could be arrested if caught and given severe punishment. Church raids have resulted in long prison sentences for leaders and members who are treated like common criminals. Muslim converts also often come under great pressure from family members, especially those who are from strict Muslim families. But, they know that to live is Christ and to die is gain. With this understanding, their primary concern is not their lives and livelihoods as they know that if they try to find their life, they will lose it and if they lose their life for Christ’s sake, they will find it.

Christianity is not new to Iran. On the contrary, this former Persian empire had citizens who were part of the early Church. It has been recorded that Thaddaeus, Bartholomew, and Addeus, who had been influenced by the preaching of the Apostle Peter, evangelized to the Persians. By the third century there were over 300 churches and many martyrs. However, throughout the centuries as the church grew so did the divisions and by the time the Muslims conquered Iran in the 7th century, the Church was easily defeated. This seems to be similar to the Church today with so many different point-of-views and arguments. When we look at Iran’s history we can see how easily our divisions can bring about our defeat. But, let me not digress.

The Armenian and Assyrian churches have been around for centuries and still exist in Iran today, along with a number of other Christian denominations. The traditional Armenian and Assyrian churches are recognized by the Shi’ite government but are not treated justly. They do not enjoy the same privileges as Muslims. Protestant churches are on the rise, but there are only estimates of their numbers because of the high rate of persecution in Iran, so they have to remain hidden. It is believed that there could be up to one million Christians in the nation, and it is said to be the fastest growing church in the world. Words I have found in my research that have been used to describe the Iranian Church includes “booming,” flourishing” and “explosive growth.” It is no wonder why the Muslim government would be hostile towards these followers of Christ who they believe may threaten their status quo.

In spite of this, many inside Iran say that the Mosques are empty. A secular organization in the Netherlands did a study on religion in the country and it showed that only 32.2 % are Shi’ite Muslim, 22.2% had no religion and 8.8% were atheists. Other large groups are Zoroastrian, spiritual and agnostic. Christianity was 1.5 % of the nearly 83 million population. I have also heard that black magic plays a major part in the lives of many religious and non-religious Iranians. The statistics show that Iran is becoming more and more of a secular society.

Yet, in spite of secularization, the church is growing. Underground churches are proliferating even though the U.S. State Department disclosed in 2012 that the Iranian government was confiscating Bibles and compelling Bible printers to halt their productions. And things seem to be getting worse for many Iranian believers. Reports show that many are in dire need of food as Iran has been affected adversely by the spread of COVID-19. Some Christians who were imprisoned for their faith have been released from prison in order to slow the spread of the virus, but many still remain in these overcrowded cells.

The Muslim regime views many of the Christian coverts as “erring Muslims” who are deserving of punishment. However, Jesus has a different perspective.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:19-20

An Iranian Christian brother, Nader, says to the Church in the West who has not experienced the persecution he has faced, “The devil is not unemployed. He acts in other ways. He encourages people to atheism, and emptiness of life, and suicide. Our enemy says there is no absolute truth in the world and everyone can be god and his own master and after death is not judgment and is emptiness. Inform the people.”

He says today’s Church wants to follow the world. This is sadly the truth. We are busy with our politics, prosperity and prejudices that we have forgotten we have been called holy unto God, set apart to spread His Gospel of love to those near and far. He shared this Bible verse with me.

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1

I was not going to use Nader’s name because I am concerned for his safety, but he told me to use it. He is proud to glorify God and states, “I will not be afraid and I will be happy.” He is a Christian in Iran.