BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 6 – June 27, 2024) Chs.: 11-15

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 6 – June 27, 2024) Chs.: 11-15

The Ten Primitive Persecutions in the Early Church

 

(1)   The First Persecution Under Nero (A.D. 67), the sixth emperor of Rome.

-        ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire, played upon his harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy.

-        when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians.

-        had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, to illuminate them.

-        In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.

 

(2)   The Second Persecution Under Domitian (A.D. 81)

-        naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew his brother, and then raised the second persecution against the Christians.

-        was Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and St. John, who was boiled in oil, and afterward banished to Patmos. Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator.

-        Nicodemus, suffered at Rome during the rage of Domitian's persecution.

 

(3)   The Third Persecution Under Trajan (A.D. 108)

-        Pliny the Second, seeing the lamentable slaughter of Christians, wrote to Trajan, certifying him that there were many thousands of them daily put to death, of which none did anything contrary to the Roman laws worthy of persecution

-        “…they were accustomed on a stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat together a set form of prayer to Christ as a God…. never to commit theft, robbery, or adultery, never to 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.”

-        the blessed martyr, Ignatius, the bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession. “I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ”; “I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread.”

 

(4)   The Fourth Persecution Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (A.D. 162)

-        although in study of philosophy, yet, toward the Christians sharp and fierce.

-        Martyrs were obliged to pass, with their already wounded feet, over thorns, nails, sharp shells, etc. upon their points, others were scourged until their sinews and veins lay bare.

-        the proconsul, “Swear, and I will release thee; --reproach Christ.” Polycarp answered, “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me?”

-         

(5)   The Fifth Persecution Commencing with Severus (A.D. 192)

-        Victor, bishop of Rome. Plutarchus and Serenus; another Serenus, Heron, and Heraclides, were beheaded. Rhia had boiled pitch poured upon her head and was then burned.

-        the persecutions now extending to Africa, many were martyred in that quarter of the globe; the most particular of whom we shall mention.

-        Perpetua, a married lady, of about twenty-two years. Those who suffered with her were, Felicitas, a married lady, big with child at the time of her being apprehended, and Revocatus, catechumen of Carthage, and a slave.

-        Cecilia, a young lady of a good family in Rome. Calistus, bishop of Rome, was martyred, in A.D. 224.

 

(6)   The Sixth Persecution Under Maximus (A.D. 235)

-        the principal persons who perished under this reign were Pontianus, bishop of Rome; Anteros, a Grecian, his successor.

-        numberless Christians were slain without trial, and buried indiscriminately in heaps

 

(7)   The Seventh Persecution Under Decius (A.D. 249) Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of eminence who felt the severity of this persecution.

-        Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of eminence who felt the severity of this persecution.

-        Julian, a native of Cilicia, as St informs us.

-        Chrysostom was seized upon for being a Christian. He was put into a leather bag, together with several serpents and scorpions, and thrown into the sea in that condition.

 

 (8) The Eighth Persecution, Under Valerian, A.D. 257

-        Continued for three years and six months.

-        Rufina and Secunda; Stephen, bishop of Rome, was beheaded; Cyprian, bishop of Carthage.

 

(9)   The Ninth Persecution Under Aurelian (A.D. 274)

 

Felix, bishop of Rome; Marcus and Marcellianus were twins

 

(10)       The Tenth Persecution Under Diocletian (A.D. 303)

 

-        the Christians, about this time, upon mature consideration, thought it unlawful to bear arms under a heathen emperor. Maximilian, the son of Fabius Victor, was the first beheaded under this regulation.

-        Peter, a eunuch belonging to the emperor, was a Christian of singular modesty and humility. He was laid on a gridiron and boiled over a slow fire until he expired.

-        Agnes, a virgin of only thirteen years of age, was beheaded for being a Christian

 

Constantine was the good and virtuous child of a good and virtuous father, born in Britain. His mother was named Helena, daughter of King Coilus. He was a most bountiful and gracious prince, having a desire to nourish learning and good arts, and did oftentimes use to read, write, and study himself. He was so great and a favorite of the Christian faith. Thus Constantine, sufficiently appointed with the strength of men but especially with the strength of God, entered his journey coming towards Italy, which was about the last year of the persecution, A.D. 313.

 

 

 

A BRIEF REVIEW (Acts. Chs.12-15)

 

1.     Why did the people from Tyre and Sidon shout, “The voice of a god and not of a man” (Acts 12:22)?

2.     What do you call Acts 12:18?

3.     What did the Lord opening the eyes of the “soldiers” to His miracle the next “day” (Acts 12:18) achieve?

4.     What must have been the demeanor of those in the house when they were “praying” (Acts 12:12), and when they saw Peter?

5.     Is “Herod” (Acts 12:18) the Edomite king who tried to kill Jesus after His birth?

6.     Who are Edomites (see Genesis 36)?

7.     Who said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Act 13:2)?

1.     What impact did “the hand of the Lord” (Acts 13:11) have on Elyma

2.     How did God exalt “the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt” (Acts 13:17)?

3.     Why did God give Israel “judges” (Acts 13:20) for the next 450 years?

4.     What did John the Baptist mean about the “sandals” (Acts 13:25)?

5.     Who took Jesus “down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb” (Acts 13:29)?

6.     How did the Jews raise up “persecution against Paul and Barnabas” (Acts 13:50)?

7.     So why did the Holy Spirit let them be “expelled” (Acts 13:50)?

8.     What are “elders” (Acts 14:23)?

9.     What was “the sect of the Pharisees” (Acts 15:5)?

10.  When did God choose the gentiles to hear the Gospel through Peter's “mouth” (Acts 15:7)?

11.  When did God give “the Holy Spirit” (Acts 15:8) to the gentiles?

12.  What “yoke” (Acts 15:10) is Peter referring to?