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.
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ordered that
the city of Rome should be set on fire, played upon his harp, sung the song of
the burning of Troy.
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when Nero,
finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, determined to lay the whole upon
the Christians.
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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.
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In the course
of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.
(2) The
Second Persecution Under Domitian (A.D. 81)
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naturally
inclined to cruelty, first slew his brother, and then raised the second persecution
against the Christians.
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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.
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Nicodemus,
suffered at Rome during the rage of Domitian's persecution.
(3) The
Third Persecution Under Trajan (A.D. 108)
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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
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“…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.”
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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)
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although in study of philosophy, yet,
toward the Christians sharp and fierce.
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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.
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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?”
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(5) The
Fifth Persecution Commencing with Severus (A.D. 192)
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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.
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the persecutions now extending to Africa,
many were martyred in that quarter of the globe; the most particular of whom we
shall mention.
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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.
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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)
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the principal persons who perished under
this reign were Pontianus, bishop of Rome; Anteros, a Grecian, his successor.
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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.
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Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first
person of eminence who felt the severity of this persecution.
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Julian, a native of Cilicia, as St informs
us.
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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
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Continued for three years and six months.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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?
