During the first three centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus, many of the Christian believers have suffered persecution to a great extent. These persecutions were meant to torment and prevent the spread of the faith but instead, it only gave rise to the wider spread of Christianity. Martyrdom strengthened Christianity through showing their people they willingly die for their belief.
One of the events that greatly influenced Christianity would be the martyrdom of apostle Peter in 64 CE. After the great fire in Rome, during the emperor Nero’s reign, Peter tried to flee from the city in order to continue his missionary journey in another time and escape from being persecuted. But as he was about to step out of the city, Jesus showed himself …show more content…
He is rumored to might have been the last person to witness an apostle during his time, and in the same manner, be persecuted due to his faith in God. During around 155 CE, Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna was executed as a criminal in a Roman Blood Games [The Martyrdom of Polycarp: Death in the Roman Games. p 27.]. He was said to have lived and preach Christianity in Smyrna for eight years which is why it might have been the reason why people knew him and accused him being “the father of Christians and the destroyer of Roman Gods” according to the Martyrdom of Polycarp. His whole arrest was said to have intentionally reenacted the martyrdom of Jesus, including putting him on a donkey on his way to the city. While he was in trial, the proconsul argued with Polycarp as he tried to persuade the bishop to deny Jesus Christ and his faith. However, he was stern and told the proconsul, “For eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?”. Though the man tries to dissuade him, his devotion to God is strong and he will always worship him. This exchange of arguments during his trial have made possible to persuade the audience in the arena about what he believes in; he will not repent from being a better person to …show more content…
One of the great stories that have been documented in a form of a diary was written through the words of the woman about to be persecuted herself. In Carthage, Africa during 203 CE, there were four young catechumens who were captured to be condemned to death as a symbol of civic celebration. Among those who were arrested was Vibia Perpetua. While in custody of authorities, his father argued with her, however she insisted that she cannot be named any other than a Christian. She was imprisoned and took her child along with her. When she was about to be questioned, her father came and begged her to not confess for her child’s sake. Days have passed, she was about to get into the battlefield, she mentioned that the Lord showed her visions that she was going to be condemned to the beasts but continue her spiritual life in the kingdom of heaven. In the end, a gladiator was sent to finish her off but with his trembling hands Perpetua herself guided the man’s sword to her own throat [Christianity and the Roman
One of the events that greatly influenced Christianity would be the martyrdom of apostle Peter in 64 CE. After the great fire in Rome, during the emperor Nero’s reign, Peter tried to flee from the city in order to continue his missionary journey in another time and escape from being persecuted. But as he was about to step out of the city, Jesus showed himself …show more content…
He is rumored to might have been the last person to witness an apostle during his time, and in the same manner, be persecuted due to his faith in God. During around 155 CE, Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna was executed as a criminal in a Roman Blood Games [The Martyrdom of Polycarp: Death in the Roman Games. p 27.]. He was said to have lived and preach Christianity in Smyrna for eight years which is why it might have been the reason why people knew him and accused him being “the father of Christians and the destroyer of Roman Gods” according to the Martyrdom of Polycarp. His whole arrest was said to have intentionally reenacted the martyrdom of Jesus, including putting him on a donkey on his way to the city. While he was in trial, the proconsul argued with Polycarp as he tried to persuade the bishop to deny Jesus Christ and his faith. However, he was stern and told the proconsul, “For eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?”. Though the man tries to dissuade him, his devotion to God is strong and he will always worship him. This exchange of arguments during his trial have made possible to persuade the audience in the arena about what he believes in; he will not repent from being a better person to …show more content…
One of the great stories that have been documented in a form of a diary was written through the words of the woman about to be persecuted herself. In Carthage, Africa during 203 CE, there were four young catechumens who were captured to be condemned to death as a symbol of civic celebration. Among those who were arrested was Vibia Perpetua. While in custody of authorities, his father argued with her, however she insisted that she cannot be named any other than a Christian. She was imprisoned and took her child along with her. When she was about to be questioned, her father came and begged her to not confess for her child’s sake. Days have passed, she was about to get into the battlefield, she mentioned that the Lord showed her visions that she was going to be condemned to the beasts but continue her spiritual life in the kingdom of heaven. In the end, a gladiator was sent to finish her off but with his trembling hands Perpetua herself guided the man’s sword to her own throat [Christianity and the Roman