Roman Persecution of the Early Church

2002-09-21

The external problem for Christians was persecution, internal was heresy. Relationship of church to state changes throughout different periods. Christianity was considered sect of Judaism. Christians were ignored. Paul at Corinth brought before ruler in Acts 18. Gallio. Earliest persecution came from Jews, not Romans.

I. Causes of Persecution

Political causes for persecution: Christianity sought converts and claimed a universal faith. Threat to the state, since the Roman empire was considered the highest good. The Christians were suspected of disloyalty to the Roman Empire, since Christ was higher than Caesar and did not worship him. Bow down to Caesar’s image or die were the options.

Religious causes: They suspected Christians because they could not see their God. They were considered atheists. No images. Philosophical people skeptical, the Christians were exuberant in their faith. Christians met in secret when not tolerated and persecution began, led to moral charges against them. They supposedly did immoral acts. They were accused of cannibalism (confusion of Lord’s Supper).

Social causes: Lower classes and slaves were drawn to Christianity. Believed in equality. Upper classes hated Christianity and feared it. May lead to rebellion of slaves, as they were suspected. Christians withdrew from pagan social gatherings; immorality and idolatry were present in these pagan gatherings. They therefore were considered haters of mankind.

Economic causes: Christians conflicted with certain economic interests. Priests of pagan cults lost their people, image makers, (Temple of Artemis, and Demetrius started a riot). Religious people losing jobs. Misfortune was brought on the Empire, supposedly by Christians. Plagues, famines, civil unrest, fires, earthquakes, invasions. Blamed on Christians, thought their gods were angry with them.

II. Course of the Persecutions

Before 250: Persecution was local, sporadic.

Nero (64-68) was the first emperor to persecute Christians. Fire destroyed much of Rome, Nero was accused of this fire. Nero blamed it on the Christians. Used cruel methods of torture, people dressed in furs, and killed by dogs. Some crucified. Some set on fire and used as torches in garden. During this period where Paul was martyred.

Domitian was another emperor of persecution. Started around the year 90. He demanded worship, he called himself lord and god. Decrees against the Jews and the Christians since they did not worship him. Asia Minor had the most persecution. John was exiled to Patmos during this time.

Trajan was another emperor, 112. Local persecution. One of the governors of Bithynia, knew religion was declared illegal. This governor wrote to Trajan for advice on what he should do with them. Do not seek them. But if accused, make them worship the gods. If they won’t do it, then punish them. Ignatius was killed under this persecution.

Antoninus Pius, 155. Polycarp lost his life under this persecution. He was burned to death. He was challenged to give up the faith. Since he served God for 80 years, he refused.

Marcus Aurelius, persecuted Christians during 165-180. He was also a Stoic philosopher. He wrote a book called the Meditations, some of his meditations sound like Christians principles. The calamities coming on his empire came about because of the empire’s leaving of the gods.

Septimius Severus, put an end to civil war and tried to establish religious unity in the empire. Worship of the sun, Jews/Christians did not do it.

After 250: Persecution was widespread and systematic. Two primary persecutors:

Decius, a traditional Roman determined to restore old traditions. Needed to so something drastic. Tried to restore ancient religion. There were a number of Christians by this time. Required people to burn incense before his statue. Christians actually forsook their faith in some cases. Many of them unprepared for persecution since it had been awhile. They obeyed the emperor. The others were arrested and tortured. Only a short time.

Diocletian. Last emperor to persecute Christians. Persecuted from 303-311. He had to do something drastic, brother-in-law in army, Gallarius. Questioned their loyalty in military. They were expelled from the army. Should issue an edict against the Christians. Brought in the worst persecution of all. Destruction of buildings, execution of leaders, burned Scriptures, people exiled, taken from their lands.

An edict of limited religious freedom issued in 311, and following this, Constantine. Diocletian retired from public office because he failed in his restorations. Five rivals wanted to be emperors. Constantine was one of them. He saw a vision of a cross and he was to place this symbol on their shields. “In this sign, conquer”. Constantine may have become a Christian. He did tolerate Christianity, 313, Edict of Milan. A decree that gave religious toleration and favored position to Christianity. It was not the state religion. He made this change because he respected power, and the Christians had a powerful God. Persecutions had failed, since Christians actually grew in numbers. He wanted some of that power they were given. Was not baptized, though, until he was on his deathbed.

Roman State’s Response to Christianity:

1. Ignored Christians
2. Persecuted them
3. Favored them

III. Results of persecution

Christianity continued to spread to the farthest parts of the Empire. It spread because of persecution. It advertised Christianity. Tetullian: “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

Persecution created some internal problems: rise of traditores, or traitors. People who defected under pressure. They wanted to be reentered into the church after persecution was over.

Brought attention to the canon of the NT. They want to be sure they are suffering for real Scripture. Which were the genuine apostolic writings?

It emphasized the problems that can arise between church and state. Conflict of interest. This is a never-ending problem. Every church has to respond to this problem.