Church History: Persecution & Martyrdom

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/persecution-martyrdom/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>PERSECUTION</strong></p><ul><li>Passages: 2 Tim 3:12; John 15:18-21; Matt 5:10-12; 1 Pet 4:3-4; Luke 6:22-23, 26; Heb 10:32-39</li><li>Examples: Verbal opposition (slander, mockery, abuse, misrepresentation, false accusation), confiscation, social</li><li>exclusion, exile, being sent to the mines, torture, execution.</li></ul><p><strong>MARTYRDOM</strong><br /> </p><ul><li>Scripture: Rev 12:11</li><li>Martyr < <i>martus</i>, witness</li><li>Confessors were willing to die for their faith (refused to back down), whereas martyrs confessed <i>and</i> were killed. One example is Nicholas of Myra.</li><li>1st & 2nd century martyrs: Jesus, Stephen, 7 (or more) of the apostles, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Polycarp, the martyrs of Lyon—and many more!</li><li>Martyrs who lived mainly in the 3rd century: Lawrence (225-258), Sebastian (255-288), Lucy (283-304), Catherine (287-305)</li></ul><p><strong>FINAL THOUGHTS</strong></p><ul><li>Beware exaggeration and sentimentality.</li><li>Pray for fellow believers: in approximately 80 countries (out of the world total of 195) it is dangerous or extremely inconvenient to be a Christian.</li><li>Sign up for weekly updates from persecution.org.</li></ul>