Introduction to Persecution and the Perseucted CHurch

Persecution“But the one who endures to the end

will be saved.” - Matthew 10:22

Emperor Diocletian

• Roman emperor of the 3rd century was extremely hostile to Christianity.

• his persecution of Christians was the most severe of the Roman Empire

• Diocletian demanded that everyone worship the Roman gods: Saturn, Mercury, etc.

Edict of Milan

• Emperor Constantine gave the edict, which gave Christians back their property and allowed them to practice Christianity freely once again.

• When you see that this has been granted to [Christians] by us, your Worship will know that we have also conceded to other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he pleases; this regulation is made that we may not seem to detract from any dignity of any religion.—"Edict of Milan", Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors

Edict of Milan

PersecutionWhenever a believer is denied the protection of

religious freedom, prevented from converting to

Christianity… [or] physically attacked or killed because of

their faith…

Tertullian• A latin bishop of the 2nd and

3rd centuries.

• Pastored in Carthage (North Africa)

• “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

Will you endure to the end?