INTRODUCTION
The word “persecution” means the act of persecuting or oppression of inhumane treatment. The subject church persecution essentially deals with the very nature of legalize corporation of the early church. However there’s a greater gift to the world at Pentecost; “And you shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and you shall be my witness.”
Primarily persecution by the state began almost accidentally remained intermittent. Until 250 B. C. its extent was determined more by local feeling then imperial policy. The Roman government commonly tolerated such foreign religions as were no danger to morality and discipline; and through it did not recognized all religious bodies as legal corporations. Interesting enough Christian persecution was not evident outside of Rome.
There are countless martyrs’ throughout centuries of church history who has suffered violent deaths for the sake of Christ. Their testimonies sets the stage for a worldwide crusade for the gospel message, therefore without church persecution the expansion of the gospel would have lost steam, yet we can discuss church persecution in this present age. There are Christians in this present day that has saturated foreign country for the sake of Christianity. The purpose of this research paper is to preview how persecution played a role in church history, as it relates to; an ecclesiological perspective, legal perspective, and from the blood of martyrs’. Thus we can better understand how persecution impacts the modern church today.
ECCLESIOLGIAL PERSPECTIVE
The experience of ecclesiology and church history pertaining to persecution features the supporting ideas that are valuable of the past. Perhaps, the martyrs’ testimony is partially fulfilled by God’s promise of the Holy Spirit. In fact the core idea consists of the divine promise that the Spirit will be poured out over God’s servants . The point is proven with reference to Acts 2:17-18, And it shall be in the last days, God says, “That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your son and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams, even on my bond slaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth my Spirit and they shall prophesy.” The interpretation is of this biblical quote follows prophecies of the vision of the past and the prospect of the present. This will be a testament to non-believers, and a blessing to the believers’ that the Holy Spirit is sent to the Church to give everyone the gifts of the Spirit. The message is clearly seen in Matt. 10: 32-33, “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in Heaven.
This would be an impossible task without the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, “And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit come upon you, and you shall be my witness both Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria and even to the remote parts of the earth.” Suffering and tribulation belonged to the very nature of the primitive Church. The Christian, like the Jew, was expected to confess and if need be to suffer for His Name. The promise of the Holy Spirit empowers both men and women to spread the gospel to the world without fear, and encouraged those who are weak in faith to support the dignity of receiving visions of the past.
LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
The account of the first primitive persecutions provides a starting point with Nero in A.D. 67. Thus he ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire. While the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Maecenas, played upon his harp, song of the burning of Troy. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; however increased rather than diminished the spirit of Christianity. The barbarities exercised on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans themselves.
The second persecution under Domitian A.D. 81 was naturally inclined to cruelty. In rage he put to death some of the Roman senators, and commanded all the lineage of David to be put to death. Theses persecutions among the Christians increased the number of informers and many, for the sake of gain, swore away the lives of the innocent. Another hardship was, that, when any Christians were brought before the magistrates, a test oath was proposed, when, if they refused to take it, death was pronounced against them; and if they confessed themselves Christians the sentence was the same.
The third persecution under Trajan, A.D. 108 moved to pity certifying that there were many Christian put to death, of which none did anything contrary to the Roman law worthy of persecution. They were accustomed on stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat together a set from of prayer to Christ as God, and to bind themselves by obligation not indeed to commit wickedness, theft, robbery, or adultery, never falsify their word, never to defraud any man; after which it was their custom to separate, and reassemble to partake in common of a harmless meal. It is said that when Ignatius who is famously revered among very many. Ignatius when passed through Asia, being under strict custody of his keepers, he strengthened and confirmed the churches when the Word of God was preached. Christian persecution was more political then personal, however wider persecution was not tolerated concerning the refusal to worship the Emperor.
MARTYRS’ PERSPECTIVE
Throughout history martyrdom has been Christianity’s faithful companion. The first centuries brought forth martyr-heroes such as Polycarp, Pionius and Perpetua. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. The transition to the middle ages persecution and Christianity did not end. In fact throughout the middle Ages and beyond, each century produced an abundant crop of martyrs. Furthermore the extent of the first century Christians was considered a period indicated as “the era of the martyrs.” In light of the twentieth century produced more martyrs’ of deaths than any other century. Adhering to their faith the martyrs’ lives and deaths represents a radical imitation Christi and the most uncompromising of answers to a divine call. Mathias who occupied Judas vacant place was stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem. Philippi labored diligently in Upper Asia, suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.
Also St. Mark converted to Christianity by Peter, wrote the gospel in the Greek. Mark was drugged to pieces through the streets of Alexandria. James the Less was elected to oversee the Church of Jerusalem and at the age of ninety-four was beat and stoned by the Jew; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club. Luke the Physician turned evangelist. Travelled with Paul to various countries hung from an olive three, by the Idolatrous priests of Greece. William Forbush suggest, “To understand martyrdom in its fullest suggest to us that death was a martyr’s disposition, their testimony of faith were attractive and fascinating, therefore drew more people to faith in Christ.”
CONCLUSION
When we think about church persecution, and how it impacts us today. As the church of today, let’s do our best to recognize that persecution and the church works together. Church persecution fulfills its promise by causing havoc on Christianity; however without persecution the gospel cannot reach the four corners of the world. The religious freedoms that we enjoy in America and other parts of the world should not go un-noticed. The bloody sacrifices of men and
Paul says it best, “For me to live, is Christ, and to die is gain.” Jesus proclaims, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Church persecution also teaches us that were not alone. Jesus says to His disciples’; “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper that He may be with you forever.” It’s important to understand, we too have an inner working of the Holy Spirit that provides us power to persevere against fears of persecution. As we consider a worldview perspective one must be certain; so Christ, so persecution. Thus the greater question, are you willing to die for Christ?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
F.L., Cross. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Grand Rapids: Oxford University Press, 1957.
Johan, Leemans. More Than A Memory. Leuven: Peters Publishing, 2005.
W.H.C, Frend. Martyrdom and Persecution in the Early Church. Garden City: Doubleday and Company, 1967.
William, Forbush Byron. Fox's Book of Martyrs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1967.
