How Persecution Led To The Early Church's Growth

HOW PERSECUTION LEAD TO THE EARLY CHURCH’S GROWTH

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Research Paper
CHHI 520
CHRISTIAN HISTORY

BY
CARLA JOHNSON-LANE

GAINESVILLE, FL
July 7,2013
How Persecution Lead to the Early Church’s Growth
Persecution of those who stand for God has been occurring since Genesis, and stories of persecution have spread throughout the world. Many times we think of persecution as being only prevalent in the early church. The treatment of Christians was probably the worst during the times of the early church. This persecution had a big impact on the early church and helped lead to its growth. Author Bryan Litfin displays in his book that Justin Marty in his First Apology “describes Christian behavior and
The bible states in Matthew 10:22 And you will be hated by all for my name 's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
With the persecution of Christians increasing in given Roman periods in the Early History, it is notable that it had pushed for the changes the Church needed to grow as a stronger group of people in spite of the persecutions done to their ranks. First and foremost, the persecutions had led to the separation of Judaism and Christianity, which now clearly shows as to how Christianity and Judaism differed. In the early stages of Christianity, many noted that it is similar to Judaism in some extend given the teachings they share and the traditions they perform in the temple. However, the persecutions done in the time of Emperor Nero had marked the separation of both religions. In the period, two Jewish wars (held sometime in 69-70 AD and 132-135 AD) had made sure the Jewish communities were dispersed throughout the land as Jerusalem fell to the enemies. In this end, it allowed Christianity to have its own mark as a separate religion and identity. There were even some records that throughout the time of the persecutions, from Nero to Trajan and Hadrian, the Jews used that time to declare formally that they excluded anyone who is seen
While others could see this as the very disadvantage placed on Christianity by persecution, it actually sustained the belief that they are also embodying Christ’s life in their own way, strengthening their faith and accepted that their suffering was a means to make them humble. In this end, even the heathens are humbled by the very life of Christians and admired them for their loyalty and faith. The bible states in 1 peter 2:21 for to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. The Christians in addition had gone in full lengths to make sure they could break away from the harsh persecutions done by the Romans unto them by changing the location of their meetings and changing their traditions to fit places like catacombs and even obtained houses to worship. Eventually, this enabled the Christians to grow as the persecutions passed and created stronger ties with one another, allowing the Church, upon the end of the persecutions to remain as a solid religion, despite the onset of losses. Since Christians remained firm and strong over their belief and the very fact many of their traditions now are embedded deeply in the mindset of all Christians, this eventually allowed them to continue molding the Church to its strong