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Persecution & Martyrdom in the Early Church

Persecution & Martyrdom in the Early Church. Persecution in the First-Century Church. I. Persecution in the New Testament. Jesus warned his disciples of coming persecution:. John 15:18-20 Matt. 24:9-14. I. Persecution in the New Testament. “testimony” = marturion

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Persecution & Martyrdom in the Early Church

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  1. Persecution &Martyrdomin the Early Church

  2. Persecutionin the First-Century Church

  3. I. Persecution in the New Testament Jesus warned his disciples of coming persecution: John 15:18-20 Matt. 24:9-14

  4. I. Persecution in the New Testament “testimony” = marturion “witness” = martusor “martyr”

  5. II. Persecution by the Jews Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)

  6. II. Persecution by the Jews James (Acts 12:1-2)

  7. III. Persecution by the Romans • Christianity was an illegal religion • Christians were uncompromising • Christians were predominantly lower to middle class • Christians were to blame for natural disasters because they left old gods • Enmity of the human heart against the Gospel

  8. False charges: Atheism Treason Licentiousness Cannibalism Witchcraft &Sorcery Incest Immorality Haters of humanity Intellectual contradictions III. Persecution by the Romans

  9. Emperors & Martyrs • Nero (r.51-68) • 64, fire destroyed much of Rome • Rumor spread that Nero ordered the fire to make room for his new city, Neropolis • He used Christians as a scapegoat & executed 100s • Cf. Tacitus, Annales 15.44

  10. Simon Peteraccording to tradition, was crucified upside down

  11. Apostle Paulaccording to tradition was beheaded

  12. Domitian (81-96) • Instigated the persecution that was the background to the book of Revelation

  13. Seven Churches of Revelation

  14. Persecutionin the Second-Century Church

  15. Trajan (98-117)

  16. Pliny the Younger, Governor of Bithynia (111-113) wrote to Emperor Trajan: “What about the Christians?” Trajan to Pliny: “Don’t ask; don’t tell.”

  17. IgnatiusBishop of Antioch (c.30-107) According to tradition, killed by lions in the Roman Colisseum

  18. Polycarp (c.69-156) Bishop of Smyrna, burned at the stake

  19. Marcus Aurelius (161-180) Played by Richard Harris in “Gladiator” (2000)

  20. Justin Martyr • (d. 166) • Denounced by Cynic philosopher Crescens, who was Aurelius’ advisor • Was beheaded

  21. Martyrs of Lyons (d. 177)

  22. Amphitheater in Lyons

  23. LaterWidespread Persecution

  24. Septimius Severus (193-211)

  25. Septimius Severus: Problems for the Empire • Threat of barbarian invasion • Economic crises • Civil wars and threat of rebellions • Increasing abandonment of traditional customs/religions • Edict: forbade further conversions to Christianity; persecutions aimed mainly at converts and teachers

  26. The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas(203)

  27. The Passion of Perpetua • Perpetua – Young noblewoman & mother; kept diary of visions & experiences in prison • Felicitas – Pregnant slave who delivered her baby in prison so that she could die with her comrades • Saturninus, Revocatus & Secundulus – 3 other catechumens • Saturus – their teacher who surrendered himself to the authorities

  28. Your Professor at the Amphitheater in Carthage

  29. Decius (249-251)

  30. Decian Persecution: Results • Some became apostate • Some obtained certificates fraudulently • Some were temporary apostates who recanted • Some endured imprisonment and torture, but did not die, becoming known as “confessors”

  31. Origen (c.185-251) Tortured & died

  32. Aftermath of Decian Persecution: Question of the Lapsed • After the persecution ended, Christians who renounced Christ wished readmittance into the church • Should they be restored to the church? • What about different degrees of lapsation (e.g. some renounced Christ, others pretended by obtaining false certificates)? • Who should have authority to decide (bishops or confessors)?

  33. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage (249-258) • Pagan rhetorician; converted at age 40; soon appointed bishop • Persecution broke out within months • Fled and hid in order to continue guiding his flock from safety • Accused of cowardice when he returned • Confessors claimed authority to forgive the lapsed, not Cyprian who fled

  34. Cyprian: Synods 251-2; On the Lapsed • Readmitting the lapsed--Cyprian insisted, “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” He won the point: discipline would be enforced on a rigid basis. • The authority of the church--The bishop with a synod represents the consensus of the church, which has dominion over mere splinter-group opinion, such as the confessors.

  35. Novatian: Anti-pope • Priest in Rome (d. 258) • Opposed Cornelius, Bishop of Rome (251-3), who believed that the church should welcome the lapsed back into the church • Novatian led strict party and became rival to the Catholic bishop of Rome • Novatianists would not allow any who lapsed to return to the church • Cyprian sided with Cornelius against Novatian

  36. Two Priorities of the Church • Purity of the Church • Forgiving Love • Result: Penitential System

  37. Valerian (253-260)

  38. Valerian’s Persecution (258-9) • Cyprian and Novatian both martyred, 258 • Christians began meeting in catacombs and cemeteries

  39. The Great Persecution (303-311) Diocletian(284-305) Galerius (305-311)

  40. WEST Maximian (Emperor) Constantius Chlorus (Caesar) EAST Diocletian (Emperor) Galerius (Caesar)

  41. The Great Persecution (303-311) • Persecution was instigated by Galerius • Persecution increased in intensity: • Started by evicting Christians from army • Edict of 303, removed Christians from civil positions • Ordered the destruction of churches and burning of Scriptures • Those who surrendered Scriptures for destruction were called “traditors” • Eventually required all Christians to sacrifice to the gods, and all church leaders were arrested • Most severe and widespread persecution under the Roman Empire

  42. Edict of Toleration (311) • In 305, Galerius forced Diocletian to abdicate • In 311, Galerius became ill; Christians convinced him it was God’s punishment for persecuting them • Edict of Toleration: 1) pardoned Christians, allowed them to pursue their faith and to assemble together 2) required them to pray to their God for the emperor and the public good.

  43. Constantine(306-324)

  44. WEST Maxentius (Emperor) Constantine (Caesar) EAST Maximinus Daia (Emperor) Licinius (Caesar)

  45. Constantine: Conquest of Western Empire (312) • War against Maxentius • Eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge • Saw a vision: • Chi & Rho • In hoc signes vinces – “In this sign, you will conquer” • He painted the Chi-Rho on his soldiers’ shields • Maxentius drowned in river

  46. Edict of Milan (313) • Constantine met with Licinius at Milan and established an alliance which required the cessation of Christian persecution • Maximinus Daia (eastern emperor) continued persecution until he was defeated by Licinius • In 324, Constantine defeated Licinius and became sole emperor; then persecution of Christians ceased throughout the empire.

  47. Results of Persecution • A testimony that spawned growth • Apologetic writings, establishment of early Christian theology • Purity of the church • Superstitions: relics of martyrs became revered as fetishes; sites of martyrdom attracted pilgrimages • Division over question of the lapsed

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