A House Built on Rocks Chapter 12
Dec 26, 2015
A House Built on RocksChapter 12
Nero – Emperor of RomeUsed Christians as
scapegoats for Roman problems Romans distrusted Christians
b/c they were different Christains refused to pay
homage to Roman gods Christians refused service in
military Nero blamed Christians for fire
that destroyed Rome Christians secretly worshipped Peter and Paul martyred
Persecuted the Christians in 64 AD
Diocletian's name is associated with the last and most terrible of all the ten persecutions of the early Church.
Planned to remove every trace of Christianity from the world.
Bishop Ignatius of Antioch wrote letter to strengthen Christians
St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was the Disciple of St. John the Evangelist.
When Domitian persecuted the Church, St. Ignatius obtained peace for his flock by fasting and prayer. But mostly, he desired to suffer for Christ, and to prove himself a “perfect Disciple.” In a letter begged not be saved
from death
Bishop Cyprian killed in front of his
people for worshipping Jesus
Bishop of Carthage who led the Christians of North Africa during a period of persecution from Rome. Upon his execution he became the first bishop-martyr of Africa.
Unbelievers were inspired to become Christians
Martyrs teach us to never be ashamed of being a witness in our words and deeds on behalf of Jesus.
Sister Dorothy KazelKazel worked in the Church of
the Immaculate Conception in La Libertad, training catechists, carrying out sacramental preparation programs, and overseeing the distribution of Catholic Relief Services aid and food supplies. She was also engaged in working with refugees of the Salvadoran Civil War, obtaining food, shelter, and medical supplies, and transporting the sick and injured to medical facilities.
Modern day martyrThe five members of the
National Guard, out of uniform, stopped the vehicle they were driving after they left the airport in San Salvador.
Kazel and the three other women were taken to a relatively isolated spot where they were beaten, raped, and murdered by the soldiers.[2]
From persecution to peaceEarly Christianity was
illegal in the Roman Empire:Roman Law of tolerance
Recognized any religion that predated Rome
First Christians were considered Jewish so were protected
Split between Jews and Christians barred Christian from synagagues
Thus Christianity became a new religion banned
Christians must then submit to Roman gods and worship
Christians refused to worship several gods Worship emperor as
god They were
persecuted
Emperor Constantine Constantine is best remembered
in modern times for the Edict of Milan in 313, which fully legalized Christianity in the empire for the first time
these actions completely changed the conditions under which Christians lived.
Constantine brought to an end some 300 years of persecution, during which Christians had to worship in secret and faced arrest and martyrdom in the coliseums.
He inaugurated a new era, in which Christians enjoyed the power and patronage of the Roman state.
A Different kind of witness4th century
Christians realized:They wanted to
make a powerful statement on how to live a good Christian life against sin.
Embraced self-denial and moved into the desert alone
St. Anthony of EgyptHermit: a person
who lives alone to seek God through prayer, silence and penance.
At the age of thirty-five he moved alone to the desert, living in an abandoned fort and began his own life of prayer and penance alone with God.
Pay attention to the “interior” life so our relationship with Jesus deepens.
Monk – man who lives a life of prayer and takes vows such as poverty, chastity, and obedience; usually he lives in a community with other men.
Practices monasticismThe
basic idea of monasticism in all its varieties is seclusion or withdrawal from the world or society.
Self sacrifice for JesusLives aloneHelps those who are poor
Religious CommunitiesMen and women
banded together following a common way of life
They prayed at scheduled times
Read ScripturePerformed physical
laborLived lives of povertyChastity and obedience
Confusion from WithinWhen persecution
was no longer a threat, a new threat began;Caused by
ChristiansHeresy –false
teaching that rejects a truth
Heretic – person who believes and teaches a heresy.
The Arius HeresyPriestJesus not GodJesus was created
before the world was created
This denied Jesus was both human and divine
Church believes b/c Jesus is God we are saved
Settling matters regarding the Arius heresySynods were
formed;Synods- meetings
between local bishops