The early
history of Christianity is a story of ups and downs—Joyful shouts to God and tearful
cries in faith. Christianity was spreading like wildfire throughout the Middle
Eastern and Roman worlds. Word of mouth and good news were being found to be
difficult to restrain. Arrest a Christian and the arresters will hear the good
news. In the world today Christians are still spreading the gospel to new
generations, many paying for it with their lives. Men, women and children are
still being faced with decisions that are life-altering as they face penalties
of death and pillage from those who would destroy Christianity if they could.
But the great “Cloud of Witnesses” (Heb. 12:1) is still around us cheering us
on as we continue to run the race of faith knowing that our end, no matter
which way it turns, will hopefully come with the banner of Christ still in our
hands and our hearts.
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| Claudius's Colosseum |
This series
will explore the early persecutions of the church under Emperors Claudius and
his adopted son Nero, both of them doing their best to eradicate the faith we
Christians hold so dear. These two ruled the Roman Empire from A.D 41-68, a
period of twenty-seven years. During their reigns Christians were subjected to
persecutions you and I hope we will never see. But nonetheless there was always
encouragement and hope.
The
background to the study will be the book of Hebrews, an apology for Christ and
a letter of encouragement to those facing severe trial. I hope that in the
series you will be blessed with courage and strength to face even the severest
trial knowing your hope in Christ is sure. May the Lord bless you in this study.
Facing the Hell-storm
Why not get
right to the point. Decisions and decision making are often things that must be
done in seconds not just hours or days. When facing a trial or even a
temptation a decision has to be made in reference to where you stand. That
decision may affect your family, your finances, your health, or those with whom
you interact; so knowing where you stand ahead of time, will make all the
difference in the world. Let me illustrate.
All people,
at one time or another have withstood high winds, tornadoes or even hurricanes.
One such event occurred to me just a few years ago. I was gluing up a wood
project in my garage when over the radio a familiar alarm sounded followed by a
warning. A tornado had just touched down about two miles southwest of my home
and I was in its path. My wife was away and I was at home alone with my girls. Immediately
I left the wet glue and ran into my home to gather my two young girls, then two
and three years old. After gathering them into my arms we quickly headed to the
basement where I safely placed them out of harm’s way. I then realized I left
my cell phone upstairs. I went to the top of the stairs and looked southward,
out the living room windows, only to see nothing but a cloud of dust, shingles
and siding heading straight for the house. Suddenly the cell phone was of
lesser importance than my children having a father… I quickly dove down the
stairs. My priorities in this instance were the safety of my small girls and
myself. I knew what to do and I was able to react quickly.
In life, all
choices are made within the bounds of time. Sometimes we are given minutes,
days, weeks or months to make important decisions; at other times we have a
split-second. In the situation described above, the time lapse between hearing
the warning, grabbing the girls, and walking back up the stairs was about 45
seconds. The lapse between looking out the window and diving back down the
stairs was less than a second. The question is “What is it that gives us the
impetus to make the right decisions at the right times?” Most will say love,
instinct, wisdom and fear of physical harm; but what about “Spiritual Harm?”
Hell-Storm I – Caesar Claudius
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| Claudius Ruled A.D. 41- 54 |
The Bible
teaches of one such group of believers who were facing a very tough decision.
Literally for them, it could mean the difference between life and death. These
believers were the Hebrew Christian converts in and around Rome. In 49 A.D.,
Emperor Claudius had dispelled these believers from Rome as heretics for
spreading the gospel throughout the Roman world. Pricilla and Aquila, two
God-fearing believers, were both a part of this expulsion (Acts 18:2). Gaius Suetonius
Tranquillus, a Roman historian, stated the following concerning Claudius Caesar
and the Christians: “because the Jews of
Rome were indulging in constant riots at the instigation of Chrestus (impulsore
Chresto) he expelled them from the city”. ( Suet. Claud. 25.4.) Note, though called Jews these were Jewish
Christians. This persecution resulted in them losing virtually all possessions
they ever owned including their homes as they were driven out of Rome.
Riots
Riots in the
Roman world were easily induced since the culture was so polytheistic. Children
had been raised for decades to worship the “gods of Rome” throughout their
lives. Silversmiths and Stone carvers made a fine living selling their wares.
Paganism and Mythology had infiltrated virtually every aspect of public life
including the holding up of Caesar’s as gods themselves:
The gods represented distinctly the
practical needs of daily life, and they were scrupulously accorded the rites
and offerings considered proper. Early Roman divinities included a host of
"specialist gods" whose names were invoked in the carrying out of
various specific activities. Fragments of old ritual accompanying such acts as
plowing or sowing reveal that at every stage of the operation a separate deity
was invoked, the name of each deity being regularly derived from the verb for
the operation. Tutelary
deities were particularly important in ancient Rome.
Thus, Janus and Vesta
guarded the door and hearth, the Lares
protected the field and house, Pales
the pasture, Saturn
the sowing, Ceres
the growth of the grain, Pomona
the fruit, and Consus and Ops the harvest. Even the majestic Jupiter,
the ruler of the gods, was honored for the aid his rains might give to the
farms and vineyards. In his more encompassing character he was considered,
through his weapon of lightning, the director of human activity and, by his
widespread domain, the protector of the Romans in their military activities
beyond the borders of their own community. Prominent in early times were the
gods Mars
and Quirinus, who were
often identified with each other. Mars was a god of war; he was honored in
March and October. Quirinus is thought by modern scholars to have been the
patron of the armed community in time of peace.1
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| Model of Temple of Diana |
So when the
gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, and His triumph
over death began to spread, it was no wonder that riots would ensue. The Bible
tells us clearly of one such event in or near Ephesus located in modern day
Turkey. It was in Ephesus that Diana of the great Temple of Diana was
worshipped and revered. She was held by many to be an equivalent to the Greek
Artemis, goddess of fertility, but in Ephesus as goddess of the moon, hunting,
and birthing. Her worship permeated the lives of the populace and her temple
was known as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.” Here the gospel
was preached and the conversions of the populace began to worry the craftsmen
who sought the authorities to put an end to this activity.
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| Amphitheater in Ephesus Today |
21 When
these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed
through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have
been there, I must also see Rome." 22 So
he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus,
but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 23 And
about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For
a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana,
brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He
called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said:
"Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at
Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned
away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger
of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may
be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world
worship." 28 Now when they
heard this, they were full of
wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is
Diana of the Ephesians!" 29 So
the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one
accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel
companions. 30 And when Paul
wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who
were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the
theater. 32 Some therefore cried
one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did
not know why they had come together. 33 And
they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And
Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he
was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 35 And when the city clerk had quieted the
crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that
the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of
the image which fell down from
Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these
things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are
neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow
craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are
proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make,
it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40
For we are in danger of being called in question for today's
uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly
gathering." 41 And when he had
said these things, he dismissed the assembly. Acts 19:21-41 (NKJV)
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| Diana |
It was riots
such as this, where the authorities were approached by those who opposed the gospel
that also befell other areas of the empire.
Encouraging those Caught in the Storm
The author
of the Epistle to the Hebrews is unknown. There have been many suggestions but
in reality it does not matter. Most likely the author remained anonymous to
possibly extend his tenure on earth during these days of persecution still on
the horizon. Putting a name to the letter would surely result in death. In
chapter ten of the book he gives us a glimpse of those who were part-and-parcel
participants of the Claudian expulsion. His words are meant to encourage them
that Jesus carried them through the first storm He surely would be with them in
the second. They needed to remember their faith would result in a glorious possession
in heaven, so they needed to stand strong.
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| Painting of Priscilla Acts 18:2 |
32 But
recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a
great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly
while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly
while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains,
and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a
better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Hebrews 10:32-34
(NKJV)
It is important
to keep in mind that these believers having been expelled once under Claudius had
joyfully accepted the persecution having been buoyed by their faith in Christ. However,
over time they were able to trickle back into the city and resume their lives assembling
together for worship as long as it did not disturb public order. To wit, by 57
A.D. Paul is writing to a flourishing group of Christians in Rome in his letter
to the Romans. The question is, if circumstance again became hostile, would
they be able to endure a second time?
How about you? Is your relationship to Christ such that if faced with persecution you could endure? The answer I often hear is "no one knows." My answer is this :
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)
and
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV)
May God Bless you this day!!Facing the Hell-Storm Pt. 2
Facing The Hell-Storm Pt.3
1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_mythology
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