Early Christian Beliefs About Nero and Persecution

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

Consult your histories; you will there find that Nero was the first who assailed with the imperial sword the Christian sect, making progress then especially at Rome.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

When Nero heard of those things, and observed that not only in Rome, but in every other place, a great multitude revolted daily from the worship of idols, and, condemning their old ways, went over to the new religion, he, an execrable and pernicious tyrant, sprung forward to raze the heavenly temple and destroy the true faith.

Tertullian, Ad Nationes Supporting witness

under Nero it was ruthlessly condemned, and you may weigh its worth and character even from the person of its persecutor.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

And that of the apostles, embracing the ministry of Paul, ends with Nero.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

and during twenty-five years, and until the beginning of the reign of the Emperor Nero, they occupied themselves in laying the foundations of the Church in every province and city.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

For any one who knows him, can understand that not except as being of singular excellence did anything bring on it Nero's condemnation.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Direct teaching

...r Master had commanded them. For twenty-five years, until the beginning of the reign of the Emperor Nero, they devoted themselves to laying the foundations of the Church in every province and city. And while Nero was reigning, the Apostle Peter came to Rome. Through the power of God given to him, he worked certain miracles. By turning many to the true religion, he built up a faithful and steadfast temple for the Lord. When Nero heard these things, and saw that not only in Rome but in every other place, a great multitude was turning away daily from the worship of idols and, condemning their old ways, was going over to the new religion, he, a detestable and destructive tyrant, rushed forward to tear down the heavenly temple and destroy the true faith. He was the first who persecuted the servants of God. He crucified Peter and killed Paul. Nor did he escape without punishment, for God looked on the suffering of His people. Therefore the tyrant, stripped of authority and thrown down from the height of empire, suddenly disappeared, and even the burial place of that poisonous wild beast was nowhere to be seen. This has led some people of wild imagination to suppose that, having been c

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Direct teaching

And while Nero reigned, the Apostle Peter came to Rome, and, through the power of God committed unto him, wrought certain miracles, and, by turning many to the true religion, built up a faithful and steadfast temple unto the Lord.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

he crucified Peter, and slew Paul: nor did he escape with impunity;

2 Thessalonians 1:4 Direct teaching

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

2 Timothy 3:12 Direct teaching

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Romans 8:35 Direct teaching

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Direct teaching

2. If, because injustice is not from God, but from the devil, and persecution consists of injustice—for what is more unjust than that the bishops of the true God, and all the followers of the truth, should be treated in the manner of the vilest criminals?—persecution therefore seems to proceed from the devil, by whom the injustice that makes up persecution is carried out, we ought to know this: just as you do not have persecution without the devil's injustice, so you do not have the trial of faith without persecution. The injustice necessary for the trial of faith does not give a warrant for persecution, but supplies an agency. In reality, in reference to the trial of faith, which is the reason for persecution, the will of God goes first. But as the instrument of persecution, which is the way of trial, the injustice of the devil follows. For in other respects too, injustice, in proportion to the enmity it shows against righteousness, gives occasion for attestations of that to which it is opposed as an enemy, so that righteousness may be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world have been chosen by God to confound the strong, and

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...uggles and hardships took place in these regions, both generally among everyone and privately among Christians. There were also many frequent earthquakes, so that many places throughout Cappadocia and Pontus were destroyed. Even some cities, pulled down into the abyss, were swallowed up when the earth opened wide. Because of this, a severe persecution also arose against us because of the Christian name. And after the long peace of the former age, it came suddenly, and by its unusual evils it was made more terrible because of the disorder among our people. Serenianus was then governor in our province, a bitter and terrible persecutor. But when the faithful were put into this troubled condition, and were fleeing here and there out of fear of the persecution, leaving their country and crossing into other regions—for there was a chance to cross over, because that persecution was not over the whole world, but local—there suddenly arose among us a certain woman who, in a state of ecstasy, declared that she was a prophetess and acted as if she were filled with the Holy Spirit. And she was so driven by the force of the chief demons that for a long time she troubled and deceived the brot

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

...His sun rise on the good and the evil, and sends rain on the just and unjust." The righteous suffer persecution, are afflicted, and are killed, while sinners live in abundance, and "drink with the sound of the harp and psaltery, but do not regard the works of the Lord." However, according to the prophet's words, they should be linked, with the day of retribution following the acceptable year. The words say, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of retribution." This current time, therefore, in which people are called and saved by the Lord, is correctly understood as "the acceptable year of the Lord;" and "the day of retribution," that is, the judgment, follows it. The period referred to is not just called “a year” but is also named “a day” by both the prophet and Paul, who, recalling Scripture, says in the Epistle to the Romans, "As it is written, for your sake we are killed all day long, we are considered as sheep for the slaughter." Here, "all day long" represents the entire period during which we endure persecution and are killed for His sake. Just as this day does not represent one with twelve hours, but the whole time during which believers in Christ suf

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

And when he has conquered all, he will prove himself a terrible and savage tyrant, and will cause tribulation and persecution to the saints, exalting himself against them.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

and the saints shall travel from the west to the east, and shall be driven in persecution from the east to the south, while others shall conceal themselves in the mountains and caves;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Supporting witness

But at an earlier period, indeed, when the edict for the persecution under Decius was determined upon, Sabinus at that very hour sent a certain Frumentarius to make search for me.

Mathetes, Epistle to Diognetus Background

To sum up everything in one word—what the soul is in the body, that Christians are in the world. The soul is spread throughout all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians live in the world, yet are not of the world. The invisible soul is protected by the visible body, and Christians are known to be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible. The flesh hates the soul and wars against it, though it suffers no harm, because it is prevented from enjoying pleasures; the world also hates Christians, though it is not harmed, because they reject pleasures. The soul loves the flesh that hates it, and loves the members; Christians likewise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in the body, yet preserves that very body; and Christians are confined in the world as if in a prison, and yet they are the preservers of the world. The immortal soul lives in a mortal body; and Christians dwell as travelers in corruptible bodies, looking for an incorruptible dwelling in the heavens. The soul, when poorly provided with food and drink, becomes better; similarly, the

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

and (how) he shall stir up tribulation and persecution against the saints;

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

But they say, "If God cares for you, why are you persecuted and put to death? Has He handed you over to this?" No, we do not think that the Lord wants us to be caught up in disasters. Rather, He prophetically foretold what would happen: that we would be persecuted for His name's sake, slaughtered, and impaled. So it is not that He wanted us to be persecuted. Instead, He made known beforehand what we would suffer by predicting what would happen. In this way, He trains us to endure, and to that endurance He promised the inheritance, although we are punished not alone, but together with many others. But, it is said, those others are criminals, and so they are rightly punished. Therefore, even unwillingly, they bear witness to our righteousness, since we are unjustly punished for righteousness' sake. But the injustice of the judge does not affect the providence of God. For the judge must be in control of his own opinion, not pulled by strings like lifeless machines that are moved only by outside causes. Therefore, he is judged for his judgment, just as we also are judged according to our choice of desirable things and our endurance. Although we do no wrong, the judge sees us as doing w

Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Direct teaching

...which even now cleanses the Lord's threshing floor, the Church, I mean, winnowing the mixed heap of believers and separating the grain of the martyrs from the chaff of the deniers. And this is also the ladder Jacob dreams of, on which some are seen mounting up to higher places, and others going down to lower. So too, persecution may be viewed as a contest. By whom is the conflict proclaimed but by Him by whom the crown and the rewards are offered? You find in Revelation its edict, setting forth the rewards by which He incites to victory, above all those whose distinction it is to conquer in persecution, in very deed contending in their victorious struggle not against flesh and blood, but against spirits of wickedness. So too, you will see that the adjudging of the contest belongs to that same glorious One, as umpire, who calls us to the prize. The one great thing in persecution is the promotion of the glory of God, as He tries and casts away, lays on and takes off. But what concerns the glory of God will surely come to pass by His will. And when is trust in God stronger than when there is a greater fear of Him, and when persecution breaks out? The Church is filled with awe. Then

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Receive also those who are persecuted because of the faith, and who flee from city to city, according to the Lord's commandment in Matthew 10:23. Help them as martyrs, and rejoice that you share in their persecution, knowing that they are considered blessed by the Lord. For He Himself says, "Blessed are you when people reproach you, and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before us," Matthew 5:11-12. And again, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you," John 15:20. And later, "If they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For in the world you have tribulation. For they will deliver you into the synagogues, and you will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, and for a testimony to them." And, "He who endures to the end, the same will be saved," Matthew 10:22. For he who is persecuted for the sake of the faith, and bears witness concerning Him, Christ, and endures, is truly a man of God.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...beheaded. But matrons should be deprived of their property and sent into exile. Moreover, people of Caesar's household, whoever among them had either confessed before or should now confess, should have their property confiscated and should be sent in chains, assigned to Caesar's estates. The Emperor Valerian also added to this address a copy of the letters that he sent to the governors of the provinces concerning us. We are hoping every day that these letters will come, while we wait, according to the strength of our faith, to endure affliction, and expect from the Lord's help and mercy the crown of eternal life. But know that Xistus was martyred in the cemetery on the eighth day before the Ides of August, and with him four deacons. Moreover, the prefects in the City are urging this persecution forward every day, so that if any are brought before them, they are martyred and their property is claimed by the treasury.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...saving labor of love is an illustrious and divine thing, dearest brothers. It is a great comfort to believers, a healthy guard for our safety, a protection of hope, a safeguard of faith, a remedy for sin, and something placed in the power of the one who does it. It is both great and easy, a crown of peace without the danger of persecution, the true and greatest gift of God, necessary for the weak and glorious for the strong. With its help, the Christian fulfills spiritual grace, is worthy before Christ the Judge, and counts God as his debtor. For this victory of works of salvation, let us strive gladly and eagerly. Let us all run in the contest of righteousness, with God and Christ looking on. And let us, who have already begun to be greater than this life and the world, never slow our course because of any desire for this life or this world. If that day finds us prepared, swift, and running in this contest of love, whether it is the day of reward or of persecution, the Lord will never fail to give a reward for our merits. In peace, He will give us who conquer a white crown for our labors. In persecution, He will add a purple one for our suffering.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...ssed are those who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who search His testimonies and seek Him with their whole heart.” Moreover, the Lord in the Gospel, Himself the avenger of our persecution and the rewarder of our suffering, says: “Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And again: “Blessed will you be when men hate you, and separate you, and cast you out, and revile your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” And once more: “Whoever loses his life for My sake, that one will save it.” Nor do the rewards of the divine promise belong only to those who are reproached and killed. Even if the suffering itself is lacking for the faithful, if their faith has remained sound and unconquered, and if, having forsaken and despised all his possessions, the Christian has shown that he is following Christ, he also is honored by Christ among the martyrs, as He Himself promises and says: “There is no man who leaves house, or land, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

...s it is written, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:35 None of these things can separate believers. Nothing can tear away those who are clinging to His body and blood. Persecution of that kind is a testing and searching of the heart. God wills that we be sifted and proved, just as He has always proved His people; and yet in His trials, help has never at any time been lacking to believers.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

...eaves that it carried in its mouth. Therefore, that twofold sending out shows us a twofold trial of persecution: the first, in which those who lapsed fell as the conquered; the second, in which those who had fallen came out as conquerors. For none of us, beloved brothers, doubts or is uncertain that those who in the first struggle, that is, in the Decian persecution, were wounded, afterward, that is, in the second encounter, persevered so bravely that they scorned the edicts of the rulers of this world and kept themselves unconquered. In this, following the example of the good Shepherd, they did not fear to give up their life, to shed their blood, or to draw back from any cruelty of the raging tyrant.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

...in the repayment of sins committed before martyrdom takes place? And where is love to God, which is persecuted and endures for the truth? And where is the praise of him who has confessed, or the censure of him who has denied? And what use is right conduct, the putting to death of lusts, and the hating of no creature? But if, as Basilides himself says, we suppose one part of the declared will of God to be the loving of all things, because all things are related to the whole, and another part not to lust after anything, and a third not to hate anything, then these things too will be punishments by the will of God—which it is impious to think. For neither did the Lord suffer by the will of the Father, nor are those who are persecuted persecuted by the will of God. For one of two things must be true: either persecution, because of the will of God, is a good thing, or those who condemn and afflict are guiltless. But nothing is without the will of the Lord of the universe. So it remains to say that such things happen without God's preventing them. For this alone preserves both the providence and the goodness of God. Therefore we must not think that He actively produces afflictions—far

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...granted mercy as a kind of retinue. The Church alone purely bears the reproach for those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake and endure various punishments and death because of their love for God and their confession of His Son. Even though weakened at times, the Church quickly grows its members and becomes whole again, like Lot’s wife who was turned into a pillar of salt. Thus, the Church experiences something similar to that of the ancient prophets, as the Lord says, “For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” In this way, the Church suffers persecution from those who do not accept the word of God, yet the same spirit that rested on these ancient prophets also rests on the Church.

Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius Supporting witness

Wherefore he rejoiced over the tranquil state of the Church, when the persecution ceased for a little time, but was grieved as to himself, that he had not yet attained to a true love to Christ, nor reached the perfect rank of a disciple.

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Supporting witness

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ