“You may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold … —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
In the first two centuries, organized persecution of Christians was irregular and often regional. Not to minimize those noble deaths, but most historians say there were a total of just ten Roman persecutions during that time. In the 3rd century, however, Christianity met multiple empire-wide attempts to extinguish the faith forever. It was a dark time, indeed, for all believers.
In AD 201, Rome made the conversion to Christianity a capital offense. By the middle of the century, the empire demanded that every citizen must sacrifice to the gods or face death. The final and worst persecutions which began in AD 303 were ordered by Emperor Diocletian. He decreed that all churches be destroyed and all Bibles be burned. Christians were tortured and killed in every corner of the empire.
Though the devil tried to wipe out Christ’s church, the opposite happened. “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). By the end of the 3rd century, some estimate that 25-40% of the Roman Empire had become Christ-followers!
In AD 201, Rome made the conversion to Christianity a capital offense. By the middle of the century, the empire demanded that every citizen must sacrifice to the gods or face death. The final and worst persecutions which began in AD 303 were ordered by Emperor Diocletian. He decreed that all churches be destroyed and all Bibles be burned. Christians were tortured and killed in every corner of the empire.
Though the devil tried to wipe out Christ’s church, the opposite happened. “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church” (Tertullian). By the end of the 3rd century, some estimate that 25-40% of the Roman Empire had become Christ-followers!
Scripture Focus
1 Peter 1:6-9
Insight
The word “martyr” comes from the Greek word martos meaning witness. The faithful death of a Christian was the greatest witness for the gospel.
Bible In A Year
- 2 Kings 18-19
- Proverbs 20
- 1 John 5
