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