history of christian martyrs

History of Christian MartyrsHistory of Christian Martyrs

(Revelation 2:10)(Revelation 2:10)

Becoming A ChristianBecoming A Christian

Most important decisionMost important decision• Could cost one’s life (Revelation 2:10)Could cost one’s life (Revelation 2:10)• Price to pay (Matthew 10:34-37)Price to pay (Matthew 10:34-37)

Use of the word “Christian”Use of the word “Christian”• New Testament usage (Acts 11:26)New Testament usage (Acts 11:26)• The world’s usageThe world’s usage

MartyrMartyr

EnglishEnglish• ““One who voluntarily suffered death for One who voluntarily suffered death for

refusing to renounce his religion; one refusing to renounce his religion; one who sacrifices his life, station, etc. for who sacrifices his life, station, etc. for the sake of principle.” (Webster)the sake of principle.” (Webster)

• Few are willing to pay the priceFew are willing to pay the price

MartyrMartyr

Greek word translated martyrGreek word translated martyr• Found three times in the KJV, NKJV, and Found three times in the KJV, NKJV, and

NIV (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; 17:6)NIV (Acts 22:20; Revelation 2:13; 17:6)• Other translations use “witness” which Other translations use “witness” which

means “one who bears witness by his means “one who bears witness by his death.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)death.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

SummarySummary• Martyrs willing to die (Luke 14:26)Martyrs willing to die (Luke 14:26)• Going to a better place (Hebrews 11:40)Going to a better place (Hebrews 11:40)

New Testament PeriodNew Testament Period

Persecution not long in comingPersecution not long in coming• Satan used it (Acts 4, 5)Satan used it (Acts 4, 5)• Men such as Paul helped (Acts 8:1-3)Men such as Paul helped (Acts 8:1-3)

Named in the New TestamentNamed in the New Testament• Stephen (Acts 7; 22:20)Stephen (Acts 7; 22:20)• James, son of Zebedee (Acts 12:1-4)James, son of Zebedee (Acts 12:1-4)• Paul (2 Timothy 4:6-8)Paul (2 Timothy 4:6-8)• Antipas (Revelation 2:12, 13)Antipas (Revelation 2:12, 13)• Peter would die violently (John 21:19)Peter would die violently (John 21:19)

New Testament PeriodNew Testament Period

Work of the Jews and the Romans• Jews needed approval for death penalty• Eventually seen as an illegal religion

These passed the test of discipleship• “Resisted unto blood” (Hebrews 12:4)• “Loved not their life” (Revelation 12:11)• “Looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:26)

Post-Apostolic PeriodPost-Apostolic Period

Nero (65-68 AD)Nero (65-68 AD)• He made the Christians the scapegoat for He made the Christians the scapegoat for

Rome’s burning. Tacitus, a Roman Rome’s burning. Tacitus, a Roman historian, tells how “a vast multitude historian, tells how “a vast multitude were convicted . . . And in their deaths, were convicted . . . And in their deaths, they were made the subjects of sport, for they were made the subjects of sport, for they were covered with hides of wild they were covered with hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and, nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and, when the day declined, were burned to when the day declined, were burned to serve for nocturnal lights.” serve for nocturnal lights.”


Domitian (89-96 AD)Domitian (89-96 AD)• He was described as a cruel and He was described as a cruel and

worthless ruler who confiscated worthless ruler who confiscated property, banished some Christians, and property, banished some Christians, and put hundreds to death, including his own put hundreds to death, including his own cousin.cousin.


Trajan (98-117 AD)Trajan (98-117 AD)• Ignatius of Antioch (108) thrown to the Ignatius of Antioch (108) thrown to the

wild beasts in the amphitheatre during wild beasts in the amphitheatre during the reign of Trajan shouted, “I am the the reign of Trajan shouted, “I am the wheat of Christ; I am going to be ground wheat of Christ; I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts that I may with the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread.”be found pure bread.”


Trajan (98-117 AD)Trajan (98-117 AD)• In a letter to Pliny, Governor of Bithynia, In a letter to Pliny, Governor of Bithynia,

in 111 AD, he said Christians were to be in 111 AD, he said Christians were to be left alone unless they were being left alone unless they were being prosecuted by accusers who were prosecuted by accusers who were willing to give their names, and, if they willing to give their names, and, if they were convicted, should be given a were convicted, should be given a chance to renounce their faithchance to renounce their faith


Antonius Pius (138-161 AD) Antonius Pius (138-161 AD) • During his reign in 155 AD, Polycarp, a During his reign in 155 AD, Polycarp, a

student of the apostle John, was burned student of the apostle John, was burned at the stake, and, when asked to curse at the stake, and, when asked to curse the name of Jesus, replied, “Six and the name of Jesus, replied, “Six and eighty years have I served him, and he eighty years have I served him, and he has done me nothing but good; and how has done me nothing but good; and how could I curse Him, my Lord and my could I curse Him, my Lord and my Savior.”Savior.”


Marcus Aurelius (161-180AD) Marcus Aurelius (161-180AD) Wanted to restore ancient religious Wanted to restore ancient religious practices and saw the Christians as a practices and saw the Christians as a hindrance to his goal.hindrance to his goal.

Diocletian (284-305 AD) He Diocletian (284-305 AD) He “determined to exterminate “determined to exterminate Christianity and to reinstate the Christianity and to reinstate the ancient system of worship.”ancient system of worship.”


Constantine (306–337AD)Constantine (306–337AD)• Issued the Edict of Milan (313 AD) which Issued the Edict of Milan (313 AD) which

said that Rome would take a neutral said that Rome would take a neutral stance regarding “Christianity.”stance regarding “Christianity.”

• This brought relief for about 1,000 yearsThis brought relief for about 1,000 years

Quick Review Quick Review

Becoming a Christian is costlyBecoming a Christian is costly• Maybe one’s life (Revelation 2:10)Maybe one’s life (Revelation 2:10)• Earthly relationships (Matthew 10:34-37)Earthly relationships (Matthew 10:34-37)

Persecution was not long in comingPersecution was not long in coming• Early church (Acts 4, 5)Early church (Acts 4, 5)• Jews were responsible at firstJews were responsible at first• Romans became a major persecuting Romans became a major persecuting

force as time went onforce as time went on

MartyrMartyr

EnglishEnglish• ““One who voluntarily suffered death for One who voluntarily suffered death for

refusing to renounce his religion; one refusing to renounce his religion; one who sacrifices his life, station, etc. for who sacrifices his life, station, etc. for the sake of principle.” (Webster)the sake of principle.” (Webster)

• Few are willing to pay the priceFew are willing to pay the price


Antonius Pius (138-161 AD) Antonius Pius (138-161 AD) • During his reign in 155 AD, Polycarp, a During his reign in 155 AD, Polycarp, a

student of the apostle John, was burned student of the apostle John, was burned at the stake, and, when asked to curse at the stake, and, when asked to curse the name of Jesus, replied, “Six and the name of Jesus, replied, “Six and eighty years have I served him, and he eighty years have I served him, and he has done me nothing but good; and how has done me nothing but good; and how could I curse Him, my Lord and my could I curse Him, my Lord and my Savior.”Savior.”


The “church” survived terrible timesThe “church” survived terrible times• Christians did not “fit in” Christians did not “fit in” • They believed in one GodThey believed in one God• Refused to worship the emperorRefused to worship the emperor• Forced to meet in secretForced to meet in secret• Caused a loss of revenue for those Caused a loss of revenue for those

associated with idolatry (Acts 19:23-41)associated with idolatry (Acts 19:23-41)• The story is known to God (Daniel 2:44)The story is known to God (Daniel 2:44)

Reformation PeriodReformation Period

Constantine’s edict was an Constantine’s edict was an advantage and a disadvantageadvantage and a disadvantage

His “conversion” helped pave the His “conversion” helped pave the way for the establishment of way for the establishment of “Christianity” as a state religion“Christianity” as a state religion

The Catholic church developed and The Catholic church developed and became a persecuting forcebecame a persecuting force


Persecution by the churchPersecution by the church• Growth of Papal Power was gradual after Growth of Papal Power was gradual after

Boniface III was given the title of Boniface III was given the title of Universal Bishop of Rome in 606 ADUniversal Bishop of Rome in 606 AD

• Led to fierce contention between the Led to fierce contention between the Pope and kings and Princes.Pope and kings and Princes.

• ““Dark Ages” from the collapse of Room Dark Ages” from the collapse of Room in 476 AD to around 1,000 ADin 476 AD to around 1,000 AD


Church persecution (Continued)Church persecution (Continued)• Death was inflicted on those who Death was inflicted on those who

opposed church doctrineopposed church doctrine• Widespread problem of Bible ignorance Widespread problem of Bible ignorance

and death to any who tried to remedy itand death to any who tried to remedy it• In 1170 AD, the Albigenses, prominent In 1170 AD, the Albigenses, prominent

on Southern France, were exterminated on Southern France, were exterminated at the direction of Pope Innocent III for at the direction of Pope Innocent III for opposing purgatory and image worshipopposing purgatory and image worship


Church persecution (Continued)Church persecution (Continued)• The Waldensians, founded in France by The Waldensians, founded in France by

Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, had Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, had to leave France and hide out in Italyto leave France and hide out in Italy

• John Wycliffe, called “The Morning Star John Wycliffe, called “The Morning Star of The Reformation,” was considered an of The Reformation,” was considered an enemy of the Catholic Church for enemy of the Catholic Church for opposing the authority of the Pope, opposing the authority of the Pope, condemning other doctrines, and condemning other doctrines, and translating the Bible into English. translating the Bible into English.


Church persecution (Continued)Church persecution (Continued)• In 1424, some forty-four years after his In 1424, some forty-four years after his

death, the Council of Constance ordered death, the Council of Constance ordered that his bones be dug up and burnedthat his bones be dug up and burned

• John Huss was tried before the same John Huss was tried before the same Council as a heretic for denouncing the Council as a heretic for denouncing the sale of indulgences, and was burned to sale of indulgences, and was burned to death in 1415death in 1415

• Martin Luther was declared an outlaw by Martin Luther was declared an outlaw by the Diet of Worms in 1521the Diet of Worms in 1521

Martin LutherMartin Luther

““Considering your sovereign majesty, Considering your sovereign majesty, and your honors, require a plain and your honors, require a plain answer; this I say and profess as answer; this I say and profess as resolutely as I may, without doubting resolutely as I may, without doubting or sophistication, that if I be not or sophistication, that if I be not convinced by testimonies of the convinced by testimonies of the Scriptures (for I believe not the Pope, Scriptures (for I believe not the Pope, neither his general Councils, which neither his general Councils, which have erred many times, and have have erred many times, and have been contrary to themselves), been contrary to themselves),

Martin LutherMartin Luther

“ “my conscience is so bound and my conscience is so bound and captivated in these Scriptures and captivated in these Scriptures and the Word of God, that I will not, nor the Word of God, that I will not, nor may not revoke any manner of thing; may not revoke any manner of thing; considering it is not godly or lawful to considering it is not godly or lawful to do anything against conscience. do anything against conscience. Hereupon I stand and rest: I have not Hereupon I stand and rest: I have not what else to say. God have mercy what else to say. God have mercy upon me!” upon me!” (Fox, p. 64)(Fox, p. 64)


Church persecution (continued)Church persecution (continued)• William Tyndale, an English Reformer, William Tyndale, an English Reformer,

was betrayed by a friend, strangled, and was betrayed by a friend, strangled, and burned at the stake in October 1536.burned at the stake in October 1536.

• He once said to a doctor of religion, “If He once said to a doctor of religion, “If God spare my life, I will cause a boy that God spare my life, I will cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the driveth the plough to know more of the Scriptures than he did.” At the stake, he Scriptures than he did.” At the stake, he cried, “Lord, open the King of England’s cried, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” (Fox, pp. 178, 184)eyes.” (Fox, pp. 178, 184)


We are indebted to their exampleWe are indebted to their example• Many of them were not true ChristiansMany of them were not true Christians• Men such as Wycliffe and Tyndale Men such as Wycliffe and Tyndale

helped us to have a Bible from which to helped us to have a Bible from which to studystudy

• Some persecution is taking place today Some persecution is taking place today as Christians refuse to bow down to the as Christians refuse to bow down to the edicts of menedicts of men

ConclusionConclusion

What have we learned?What have we learned?• Men and women gave their lives in order Men and women gave their lives in order

to please Godto please God• Only God knows some of their namesOnly God knows some of their names

What impact will this have on us?What impact will this have on us?• Would we die for our convictions?Would we die for our convictions?• How much does Jesus mean to us?How much does Jesus mean to us?

history of christian martyrs

Documents

postapostolic periodtrajan

postapostolic periodnero

postapostolic perioddomitian

niv acts

new testamentstephen

death penaltyeventually

son of zebedee acts

antipas revelation