Christian Martyrs – Then & Now

Our Journey of Prayer Begins

 Have You Experienced Persecution for Your Faith?

Have you ever experienced persecution for your faith in Jesus Christ?

Do you know of anyone who has even been persecution for their
Christian faith?

What do you know about the “persecution of Christians”?

The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian

organization dedicated to assisting our persecuted family worldwide. VOM was
founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years
in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned
for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and their son, Mihai, were
ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through their
travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians
face in restricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to
assisting the persecuted church. http://www.persecution.com/

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Hebrews 13:3
 Martyr: “Jesus Christ is faithful and trustworthy Witness” (Rev. 1:5)

The English word “martyr” comes from the original Greek word “martur”,
which simply means “witness.” The reason why this word became
synonymous with dying for one’s religious beliefs is that the early
Christian witnesses were often persecuted and/or killed for their witness.
Foxes Book of Martyrs: The Actes and Monuments
of these Latter and Perillous Days, popularly known
as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, is a work of Protestant
history and martyrology by John Foxe, first published in
English in 1563 by John Day. First published to
document the persecution of the Catholic Church on
those Christians integral to the Protestant Reformation.
Open Doors International: A world-wide
mission to support the persecuted church,
through prayer, Bible deliveries, teaching and
encouraging young pastors and church
leaders, providing practical support and
advocacy for the imprisoned and threatened.
https://www.opendoors.org/
 Persecution in the Early Church (Scripture)

Acts 8:1 – “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a
great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered
throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

Act: 9:23-25  – “After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among
the Jews to kill him,  but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept
close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.  But his followers took him by
night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.”

Acts 9:28-30 – “So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in
Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.  He talked and debated
with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.  When the believers learned
of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.”

Acts 14: 4-7 – “The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews,
others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews,
together with their leaders, to mistreat them [Paul & Barnabas] and stone them.
 
But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.”
 Persecution in the Early Church (Scripture)

Acts 17: 5-9 – “But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad
characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.
They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring
them out to the crowd.  But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason
and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who
have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,  and Jason has
welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying
that there is another king, one called Jesus.” When they heard this, the crowd
and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.  Then they made Jason and the
others post bond and let them go.”

Acts 17:13-15 – “But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was
preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the
crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the
coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul
brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to
join him as soon as possible.”
 Stephen: The First Martyr

Stephen…believed to be the
first martyr of the faith
recorded in Acts 6:8–7:53

Who was Stephen?

What was Stephen doing?

Who persecuted Stephen?

How was Stephen persecuted?

How did Stephen respond?

What followed Stephen’s persecution?

Do you see any good coming from
Stephen’s persecution?
 We will suffer because of our faith!

Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ”
Matthew 10:23 – Jesus said, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the
next.”
Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
John 15:20 – “Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater
than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they
have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”
2 Tim. 3:12 – “As Paul later put it, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted.”
1 Peter 4:19 – “Peter writes to a suffering church: “Therefore, let those also
who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in
doing what is right.”
1 Cor. 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in
the Lord.”
 We will suffer because of our faith!

Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
1 Corinthians 4:12 – “And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we
bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:”
2 Corinthians 12:10 – “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak,
then am I strong.”
1 Thessalonians 3:4 – “For truly, when we were with you, we told you before that
we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and you know.”
Hebrews 10:33 – “Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches
and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so
used.”
1 Peter 4:12 – “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:”
1 Peter 4:16 – “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but
let him glorify God on this behalf.”
 The Beginning of Persecution & Martyrdom

In its first three centuries of Christianity, the church endured regular

persecution at the hands of Roman authorities. Rome viewed Christians
as “superstitious”, “bad for society”, an insult to their gods and thus
the cause for their political and economic declines and they refused to
worship Cesar.
However, persecution was not limited to the
Romans, as the Jewish authorities and
religious establishment felt threatened by
those who followed “the way” considered
these followers of the Nazarene as
blasphemers of the Temple .
On a more social, practical level, Christians were
distrusted in part because of the secret and
misunderstood nature of their worship. Words like
"love feast" and talk of "eating Christ's flesh"
sounded suspicious to the pagans, and Christians
were maligned as partakers of “cannibalism,
incest, orgies, and all sorts of immorality.”
 The Beginning of Persecution & Martyrdom

Out of the 54 emperors who ruled between 30 and 311 AD, only about a
dozen went out of their way to persecute Christians. It has been
calculated that between the first persecution under Nero in AD 64 to the
Edict of Milan in AD 313, Christians experienced 129 years of
persecution and 120 years of toleration and peace.

Moreover, imperial
decrees against
Christians were often
directed against
church property, the
Scriptures, or clergy
only.
It has been estimated
that more Christians
have been martyred in
the last 50 years than in
the church's first 300
years.
 The Fate of the Apostles
Apostle
Simon-Peter son of John
James son of Zebedee
John son of Zebedee
Andrew Son of John
James son of Alphaeus
Philip
Thomas also known as
"Didymas" or "Twin"
Bartholomew
Matthew also known as Levi and Martyred in Egypt or Persia? Either by the sword or spear. He is the only
as son of Alpheus
Simon the Zealot as known as
Simon the Canaanite
Thaddaeus (Judas son of
James)
Death
Martyred in Rome by the Roman authorities as prophesized by Jesus in John
21:18-19.  Peter was crucifixion, at his request,  upside down ca.64?67 AD
First Apostle to be martyred [Acts 12:1-2]. Beheaded by King Herod Agrippa
I circa 42?44 AD
The only Apostle to die of old age.  His long life was prophesized by Jesus in
John 21:20-23.  Tradition places his death circa 90-96? AD.  His tomb is
venerated at Ephesus in modern Turkey.
Date of martyrdom unknown. Stoned and crucified in Scythia? on an X
shaped cross
Martyred by stoning, date unknown
Martyred and is buried at the Turkish city of Hieropolis according to the letters of
Papias, 2nd century Bishop of Hieropolis
Martyred by the sword while praying at the altar of his Church in India.  The
traditional burial site atop St Thomas Mount in Madras India has been venerated
for at least 1,500 years.
Suffered martyrdom in Armenia by being flayed alive.
Apostle mentioned in the Jewish Talmud.  The Babylonian Talmud [Sanhedrin
43a] records his trial and execution.  His tomb is believed to be in Salerno, Italy.
Martyred by crucifixion either in the Persian city of Suanir? or in Roman Britain
on May 10th 61AD
Suffered martyrdom in Armenia
 The History of Persecutions

At least since the fifth century, it has been customary to count ten
major persecutions in the early church. These ten persecutions are:

1. Persecution under Nero (c. 64-68). Traditional martyrdoms of Peter and Paul.
2. Persecution under Domitian (r. 81-96).
3. Persecution under Trajan (112-117). Christianity is outlawed but Christians
are not sought out.
4. Persecution under Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). Martyrdom of Polycarp.
5. Persecution under Septimus Severus (202-210). Martyrdom of Perpetua.
6. Persecution under Decius (250-251). Christians are actively sought out by
requiring public sacrifice. Could buy certificates (libelli) instead of
sacrificing. Martyrdoms of bishops of Rome, Jerusalem and Antioch.
7. Persecution under Valerian (257-59). Martyrdoms of Cyprian of Carthage and
Sixtus II of Rome.
8. Persecution under Maximinus the Thracian (235-38).
9. Persecution under Aurelian (r. 270–275).
10. Severe persecution under Diocletian and Galerius (303-324).
 Nero: The Fire and the Blame

Persecution in the early church occurred sporadically almost since the

beginning, but it was first sanctioned by the government under Nero.

In 64 AD, a great fire ravaged Rome.

People began speculating that

Nero had set the fire himself in
order to indulge his aesthetic
tastes in the reconstruction so,
according to the historian Tacitus,
Nero, the eccentric emperor
blamed the Christians for the fire in
an effort to divert attention from
himself. Nero was quite insane, and
is reported to have tortured
Christians with great cruelties for
his own enjoyment.
 Nero Declares Christianity a Capital Crime

“Besides being put to death they [the Christians] were made to serve
as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beast and torn
to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to
illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his
grounds for the display, and was putting on a show in the circus,
where he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or drove
about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of
pity, even toward men whose guilt merited the
most exemplary punishment; for it was felt that
they were being destroyed not for the public
good but to satisfy the cruelty of an individual.”
Tacitus, Roman Senator & Historian

After Nero, it became a capital

crime to be a Christian, although
pardon was always available if
one publicly condemned Christ
and sacrificed to the gods.
 More Caesars, More Persecution!

Domitian is recorded as
having executed members
of his own family on
charges of atheism and
Jewish manners, who are
thus generally assumed to
have been Christians.

It was during the reign of Marcus Aurelius that Polycarp, bishop of

Smyrna, was martyred. Later, there is record of "new decrees" making it
easier for Christians to be accused and have their property confiscated.

In 112 AD, Roman governor Pliny the Younger was sent by the emperor
Trajan (r. 98-117) to the province of Bithynia. During his visit, Pliny
encountered Christians and ordered the execution of several Christians,
"for I held no question that whatever it was they admitted, in any case
obstinancy and unbending perversity deserve to be punished." However,
if Christians recanted and "worshipped our gods," they were to be freed.
Those who persisted, however, should be punished.
 More Caesars, More Persecution!

The emperor Hadrian decreed (c. 124 AD) that Christians could be
brought to trial but only for specific illegal acts. Significantly, therefore,
being a Christian was no longer sufficient in itself to merit arrest.

The emperor Severus may not have been

personally ill-disposed towards Christians, but
the church was gaining power and making
many converts and this led to popular anti-
Christian feeling and persecution in Cathage,
Alexandria, Rome and Corinth between about
202 and 210. The famed St. Perpetua & Felicity
were martyred during this time, as were many
students of Origen of Alexandria.

The persecution under Decius was the first universal and organized
persecution of Christians, and it would have lasting significance for the
Christian church. In January of 250, Decius issued an edict requiring all
citizens to sacrifice to the emperor in the presence of a Roman official
and obtain a certificate (libellus) proving they had done so.
 More Caesars, More Persecution!

Under Valerian, who took the throne in AD 253, all Christian clergy were
required to sacrifice to the gods. In an AD 257 edict, the punishment was
exile; in AD 258, the punishment was death. Christian senators, knights
and ladies were also required to sacrifice under pain of heavy fines,
reduction of rank and, later, death. Finally, all Christians were forbidden
to visit their cemeteries. Among those executed under Valerian were St.
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, & Sixtus II, Bishop of Rome.

The last major Roman persecution of Christians occurred under

Diocletian, and it was the worst of all. Known as the "Great Persecution”,
the emperor ordered the burning of Christian books and churches, but
promised not to spill any blood. However, the Diocletian persecution
turned out to be extremely violent. This violence "did not succeed in
annihilating Christianity but caused the faith of the martyrs to blaze forth
instead."
Official persecution of Christians ended with the Edict of Milan, signed
by the Christian convert Constantine. This did not make Christianity the
official religion of the empire (that happened under Emperor Theodosius
in AD 381), but granted it legal status.
 Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr, beheaded for the faith in AD 165 said, "The more we are
persecuted, the more do others in ever increasing numbers embrace the
faith and become worshippers of God through the name of Jesus"
(Dialogue with Trypho , Justin Martyr).

Justin was born around AD 100 at Flavia Neapolis (ancient Shechem,

modern Nablus) in Samaria (the middle portion of Israel, between Galilee
and Judea) of pagan Greek parents. He was brought up with a good
education in rhetoric, poetry, and history. He studied various schools of
philosophy in Alexandria and Ephesus

While at Ephesus, he was impressed by the steadfastness of the

Christian martyrs, and by the personality of an aged Christian man
whom he met by chance while walking on the seashore. This man spoke
to him about Jesus as the fulfilment of the promises made through the
Jewish prophets. Justin was overwhelmed. "Straightway a flame was
kindled in my soul," he writes, "and a love of the prophets and those
who are friends of Christ possessed me." Justin became a Christian, but
he continued to serve as a professional teacher of philosophy.
 Justin Martyr

He engaged in debates and disputations with non-Christians of all

varieties, pagans, Jews, and heretics.
He opened a school of Christian philosophy and accepted students, first
at Ephesus and then later at Rome. There he engaged the Cynic
philosopher Crescens in debate, and soon after was arrested on the
charge of practicing an unauthorized religion.

He was tried before the Roman prefect Rusticus, refused to renounce

Christianity, and was put to death by beheading along with six of his
students, one of them a woman.