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Chapter Two
Persecution in the First Centuries
When Jesus revealed to His disciples the fate of
Jerusalem and the scenes of the second advent, He foretold
also the experience of His people from the time when He
should be taken from them, to His return in power and glory
for their deliverance. From Olivet the Saviour beheld the
storms about to fall upon the apostolic church; and
penetrating deeper into the future, His eye discerned the fierce,
wasting tempests that were to beat upon His followers in the
coming ages of darkness and persecution. In a few brief
utterances of awful significance He foretold the portion
which the rulers of this world would mete out to the church
of God.
Matthew 24:9, 21, 22. The followers of Christ must
tread the same path of humiliation, reproach, and suffering
which their Master trod. The enmity that burst forth against
the world’s Redeemer would be manifested against all who
should believe on His name.
The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment
of the Saviour’s words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed
themselves against Christ in the person of His followers.
Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples
and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned
her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution
were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions
and driven from their homes. They “endured a great fight
of afflictions.”
Hebrews 10:32. They “had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment.”
Hebrews 11:36. Great numbers sealed their
testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor,
learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy.
These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time
of the martyrdom of Paul, continued with greater or less fury
for centuries. Christians were falsely accused of the most
dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great
calamities—famine, pestilence, and earthquake. As they became
the objects of popular hatred and suspicion, informers stood
ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were
condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion,
and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild
beasts or burned alive in the amphitheaters. Some were crucified;
others were covered with the skins of wild animals and
thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their punishment
was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes. Vast
multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their
dying agonies with laughter and applause.
Wherever they sought refuge, the followers of Christ were
hunted like beasts of prey. They were forced to seek concealment
in desolate and solitary places. “Destitute, afflicted,
tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of
the earth.”
Verses 37, 38. The catacombs afforded shelter for
thousands. Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome, long
galleries had been tunneled through earth and rock; the dark
and intricate network of passages extended for miles beyond
the city walls. In these underground retreats the followers
of Christ buried their dead; and here also, when suspected
and proscribed, they found a home. When the Life-giver
shall awaken those who have fought the good fight, many
a martyr for Christ’s sake will come forth from those gloomy
caverns.
Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus
kept their faith unsullied. Though deprived of every comfort,
shut away from the light of the sun, making their home
in the dark but friendly bosom of the earth, they uttered no
complaint. With words of faith, patience, and hope they
encouraged one another to endure privation and distress.
The loss of every earthly blessing could not force them to
renounce their belief in Christ. Trials and persecution were
but steps bringing them nearer their rest and their reward.
Like God’s servants of old, many were “tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better
resurrection.”
Verse 35. These called to mind the words of their
Master, that when persecuted for Christ’s sake, they were
to be exceeding glad, for great would be their reward in
heaven; for so the prophets had been persecuted before them.
They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for
the truth, and songs of triumph ascended from the midst of
crackling flames. Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ
and angels leaning over the battlements of heaven, gazing
upon them with the deepest interest and regarding their
steadfastness with approval. A voice came down to them
from the throne of God: “Be thou faithful unto death, and
I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10.
In vain were Satan’s efforts to destroy the church of Christ
by violence. The great controversy in which the disciples of
Jesus yielded up their lives did not cease when these faithful
standard-bearers fell at their post. By defeat they conquered.
God’s workmen were slain, but His work went steadily
forward. The gospel continued to spread and the number
of its adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions that
were inaccessible even to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian,
expostulating with the heathen rulers who were urging
forward the persecution: You may “kill us, torture us,
condemn us. . . . Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent
. . . . Nor does your cruelty . . . avail you.” It was but
a stronger invitation to bring others to their persuasion. “The
oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we
grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” —Tertullian, Apology,
paragraph 50.
Thousands were imprisoned and slain, but others sprang
up to fill their places. And those who were martyred for
their faith were secured to Christ and accounted of Him as
conquerors. They had fought the good fight, and they were
to receive the crown of glory when Christ should come. The
sufferings which they endured brought Christians nearer to
one another and to their Redeemer. Their living example
and dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth;
and where least expected, the subjects of Satan were leaving
his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ.
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully
against the government of God by planting his banner in the
Christian church. If the followers of Christ could be
deceived and led to displease God, then their strength, fortitude,
and firmness would fail, and they would fall an easy prey.
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice
what he had failed to secure by force. Persecution ceased, and
in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of
temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led
to receive a part of the Christian faith, while they rejected
other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus as the
Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection, but
they had no conviction of sin and felt no need of repentance
or of a change of heart. With some concessions on their part
they proposed that Christians should make concessions, that
all might unite on the platform of belief in Christ.
Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire,
and sword were blessings in comparison with this. Some of
the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make no
compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying
some features of their faith and uniting with those who had
accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this might be the
means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep
anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of
pretended Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into
the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from
the word of truth.
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their
standard, and a union was formed between Christianity and
paganism. Although the worshipers of idols professed to be
converted, and united with the church, they still clung to
their idolatry, only changing the objects of their worship to
images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints. The foul
leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the church, continued
its baleful work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and
idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith and
worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters,
the Christian religion became corrupted, and the church lost
her purity and power. There were some, however, who were
not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their
fidelity to the Author of truth and worshiped God alone.
There have ever been two classes among those who profess
to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s
life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform
to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths
which expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church
was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our
Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not
to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself
men who were faulty in character, and granted them the
benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have
an opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among
the twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted, not
because of his defects of character, but notwithstanding them.
He was connected with the disciples, that, through the
instruction and example of Christ, he might learn what constitutes
Christian character, and thus be led to see his errors, to
repent, and, by the aid of divine grace, to purify his soul “in
obeying the truth.” But Judas did not walk in the light so
graciously permitted to shine upon him. By indulgence in
sin he invited the temptations of Satan. His evil traits of
character became predominant. He yielded his mind to the
control of the powers of darkness, he became angry when his
faults were reproved, and thus he was led to commit the
fearful crime of betraying his Master. So do all who cherish
evil under a profession of godliness hate those who disturb
their peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable
opportunity is presented, they will, like Judas, betray
those who for their good have sought to reprove them.
The apostles encountered those in the church who
professed godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity.
Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending
to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously
withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of
truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these
pretenders, and the judgments of God rid the church of this foul
blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the discerning
Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites and
evildoers. They could not long remain in connection with
those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives
of Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon His
followers, those only who were willing to forsake all for the
truth’s sake desired to become His disciples. Thus, as long
as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively
pure. But as it ceased, converts were added who were less
sincere and devoted, and the way was open for Satan to
obtain a foothold.
But there is no union between the Prince of light and the
prince of darkness, and there can be no union between their
followers. When Christians consented to unite with those
who were but half converted from paganism, they entered
upon a path which led further and further from the truth.
Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a
number of the followers of Christ. He then brought his
power to bear more fully upon these, and inspired them to
persecute those who remained true to God. None understood
so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those
who had once been its defenders; and these apostate Christians,
uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed
their warfare against the most essential features of the
doctrines of Christ.
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be
faithful to stand firm against the deceptions and abominations
which were disguised in sacerdotal garments and
introduced into the church. The Bible was not accepted
as the standard of faith. The doctrine of religious freedom
was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed.
After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided
to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she still
refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They
saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would
obey the word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal
to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil
the faith of their children and children’s children. To
secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession
consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even
peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of
principle. If unity could be secured only by the compromise
of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and
even war.
Well would it be for the church and the world if the
principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in
the hearts of God’s professed people. There is an alarming
indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars
of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining ground, that,
after all, these are not of vital importance. This degeneracy
is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false
theories and fatal delusions which the faithful in ages past
imperiled their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded
with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ.
The early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their
blameless deportment and unswerving faith were a continual
reproof that disturbed the sinner’s peace. Though few in
numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles, they
were a terror to evildoers wherever their character and
doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the
wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain. For
the same reason that Cain slew Abel, did those who sought
to throw off the restraint of the Holy Spirit, put to death
God’s people. It was for the same reason that the Jews
rejected and crucified the Saviour—because the purity and
holiness of His character was a constant rebuke to their
selfishness and corruption. From the days of Christ until
now His faithful disciples have excited the hatred and
opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin.
How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace?
When Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, he ascribed to
Him the title, “Prince of Peace.” When angels announced to
the shepherds that Christ was born, they sang above the
plains of Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14. There is a
seeming contradiction between these prophetic declarations
and the words of Christ: “I came not to send peace, but a
sword.”
Matthew 10:34. But, rightly understood, the two
are in perfect harmony. The gospel is a message of peace.
Christianity is a system which, received and obeyed, would
spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth.
The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who
accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile
men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large
are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The
gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly
at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in
rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and
condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those
who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is
in this sense—because the exalted truths it brings occasion
hatred and strife—that the gospel is called a sword.
The mysterious providence which permits the righteous
to suffer persecution at the hand of the wicked has been a
cause of great perplexity to many who are weak in faith.
Some are even ready to cast away their confidence in God
because He suffers the basest of men to prosper, while the
best and purest are afflicted and tormented by their cruel
power. How, it is asked, can One who is just and merciful,
and who is also infinite in power, tolerate such injustice and
oppression? This is a question with which we have nothing
to do. God has given us sufficient evidence of His love, and
we are not to doubt His goodness because we cannot understand
the workings of His providence. Said the Saviour to
His disciples, foreseeing the doubts that would press upon
their souls in days of trial and darkness: “Remember the
word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute
you.”
John 15:20. Jesus suffered for us more than any of
His followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty of
wicked men. Those who are called to endure torture and
martyrdom are but following in the steps of God’s dear Son.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.”
2 Peter
3:9. He does not forget or neglect His children; but He
permits the wicked to reveal their true character, that none
who desire to do His will may be deceived concerning them.
Again, the righteous are placed in the furnace of affliction,
that they themselves may be purified; that their example may
convince others of the reality of faith and godliness; and also
that their consistent course may condemn the ungodly and
unbelieving.
God permits the wicked to prosper and to reveal their
enmity against Him, that when they shall have filled up the
measure of their iniquity all may see His justice and mercy in
their utter destruction. The day of His vengeance hastens,
when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed His
people will meet the just recompense of their deeds; when
every act of cruelty or injustice toward God’s faithful ones
will be punished as though done to Christ Himself.
There is another and more important question that should
engage the attention of the churches of today. The apostle
Paul declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it, then,
that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The
only reason is that the church has conformed to the world’s
standard and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion
which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy
character that marked the Christian faith in the days of
Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of
compromise with sin, because the great truths of the word of
God are so indifferently regarded, because there is so little
vital godliness in the church, that Christianity is apparently
so popular with the world. Let there be a revival of the faith
and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution
will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled.
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