PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon) · 1,152,781 words · 1675 reading sections
The First Persecution Of The Christians, Under Nero, Anno 66.
He was free from covetousness, of a benevolent disposition, and would rather labor with his own hands, than be a burden to the church, lest it might prove a hindrance to the holy gospel. Acts 20:34. He vigorously withstood, and overcame through the word of God, the erring spirits, sorcerers, Epicurean philosophers, an…
739 wordsSECTION 122The First Persecution Of The Christians, Under Nero, Anno 66.
After this, there came down from Judea a prophet, named Agabus, who took Paul’s girdle, and bound himself, saying, “Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” Thereupon the brethren besought Paul, not to go up to…
761 wordsSECTION 123The First Persecution Of The Christians, Under Nero, Anno 66.
After this, Paul was examined by King Agrippa, in the presence of Festus. His defense caused Festus, who was a friend of the Jews, to exclaim: Paul, thou art beside thyself. Agrippa, however, declared that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian. He also gave as his opinion, that there was nothing worthy of death…
718 wordsSECTION 124The First Persecution Of The Christians, Under Nero, Anno 66.
We have narrated all these things the more circumstantially (and this, according to Holy Scripture), in order that it may be seen, how much this pious man suffered in his travels by sea and by land, for the sake of the holy Gospel. Of all this he gives a brief account in his second epistle to the Corinthian church, wri…
660 wordsSECTION 125Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
This friend of God saluted the church at Colosse by the hand of Paul; of which Paul makes mention, writing, “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you.” Col. 4:10. This imprisonment, however, was not the end of it; for he was also devoured by that cruel lion, Nero, about the time of Paul’s death after having been se…
666 wordsSECTION 126Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
According to the statements of some writers, he afterwards became bishop of the church at Corinth, and died a martyr after having done much preaching. This much is certain, according to the testimony of Holy Scripture, that he was not only apprehended and scourged for the Gospel’s sake, but suffered many indignities be…
680 wordsSECTION 127Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
Going out, in obedience to the command of Christ, he taught in many countries, as in Pontus, Galatia, Bethynia, as well as at Antropophages, and afterwards in Scythia. He also traveled in the northern and the southern countries, yea, as far as into Byzantium; further, in Thracia, Macedonia, Thessalia, and Achaia, every…
662 wordsSECTION 128Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
BARTHOLOMEW, THE HOLY APOSTLE OF CHRIST, FIRST GREATLY TORTURED, THEN FLAYED ALIVE, AND FINALLY BEHEADED, IN ARMENIA, BY KING ASTYAGES, ABOUT A. D. 70. [Illustration: BARTHOLOMEW FLAYED ON THE CROSS.] Bartholomew, which signifies, the son of Tholomaeus, was a Galilean, like all the other apostles; and also a fisherma…
687 wordsSECTION 129Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
His love and ardent affection for Christ appears from the fact that he exhorted his brethren, to go up to Jerusalem, that they might die with Christ. John 11:16. But as he had not yet resisted unto blood, and labored also under a certain misapprehension concerning the death of Christ, he with the others forsook the Lor…
699 wordsSECTION 130Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
After this, Matthew immediately forsook all, and zealously followed his Lord, who had called him, and who, after he had more fully instructed him, placed him among the apostles, which office he, too, exercised among the Jews, till the death of Christ. Matt. 10:3; Luke 6:15. Afterwards, when he was sent out to teach am…
654 wordsSECTION 131Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
It was this apostle who also wrote a comforting letter to the believers, in which he admonishes them to remain steadfast in the faith once received; and threatens the unbelievers with the severe judgment of God. In accordance with the division of the world made by the apostles for the preaching of the Gospel, he trave…
759 wordsSECTION 132Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
SOME OF THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, AND SEVERAL FELLOW-TRAVELERS OF THE APOSTLES, SLAIN, TOWARDS THE CLOSE OF THE PERSECUTION BY NERO, ABOUT A. D. 70. Prochorus, one of the first seven deacons at Jerusalem, a nephew of the pious martyr Stephen, and companion of the Apostle John, but afterwards bishop of the churc…
683 wordsSECTION 133Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
Respecting his end, some write that, while preaching in Greece, he was hanged by the ungodly to a green olive tree; others relate that he was in the eighty-fourth year of his age, at the time of his death. _Bybelsch Næmbœck, letter L., on the name Luke, fol. 624, col. 1. Konst-tooneel van veertig._ ANTIPAS, THE FAITHF…
652 wordsSECTION 134Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
He was so eager after the resurrection of Christ, that in running to his grave with his fellow-apostle Peter, he outran the latter, thus showing his affection for his Lord, who had died an ignominious death, and was entirely forsaken by his other friends. John 20:4. Some years afterwards, in order to refute the errors…
821 wordsSECTION 135Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
TIMOTHY, THE SPIRITUAL SON OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, STONED TO DEATH BY THE HEATHEN IDOLATERS AT EPHESUS, ABOUT A. D. 98. Timothy was a native of Lystra in Lycaonia. His father was a Greek, but his mother and grandmother, though of Jewish descent, were Christian believers, the one named Eunice, the other Lois; by whom he w…
704 wordsSECTION 136Epaphras, A Fellow Prisoner Of Paul, Slain Under Nero, About A. D. 70.
VITALUS, BURIED ALIVE AT RAVENNA FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST; AND HIS WIFE BEATEN TO DEATH WITH STICKS, AT MILAN, ABOUT A. D. 99. [Illustration: VITALIUS BURIED ALIVE AT RAVENNA.] Vitalus, before his conversion, was a Roman knight and citizen of Milan. He had come to Ravenna with Paulinus, the judge; but when he per…
641 wordsSECTION 137Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
The witnesses as regards the ordinance of the baptism of Jesus Christ, who have written in this century, are few, and their accounts are brief, but mostly clear and conclusive. First appears one Dionysius, surnamed Alexandrinus, who writes to his friend Sixtus about a certain brother, who considered the baptism of the …
690 wordsSECTION 138Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
From the above it is evident, first, that baptism was administered after previous examination, because it is said: “Being present among those who were baptized, and hearing the questions put to them, and their replies;” which agrees with the manner in which Philip proceeded with the Ethiopian, before he baptized him: t…
667 wordsSECTION 139Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
From this it is again quite evident, that Justinus has in view, nothing else than to give an account of the true baptism, which Christ and his apostles taught that it should only be administered upon faith and repentance for sins; for, when he says: “Those who voluntarily desire to be baptized again, and who repent of …
702 wordsSECTION 140Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
Who does not see clearly from these words of Justinus, in the disputation with Tryphon, in the first as well as in the second citation, that he employs such words and phrases as can by no means be applied otherwise than to the true order of the baptism of Christ and his apostles, namely, baptism which is accompanied wi…
650 wordsSECTION 141Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
[89] A. D. 175, Ireneus taught that the bread of the Supper was of the fruit of the earth, and he also calls the Supper not an offering but a thanksgiving. _Lib 4, contra Valent._ See in the _Geslacht-register der Roomscher Successie; second edition, 1649, page 114_. _About the year 200._--About this time flourish…
717 wordsSECTION 142Summary Of Baptism In The Second Century.
Jacob Mehrning says (_Baptism. Hist. concerning the second century, page 213_): “Of Clemens Alexandrinus we read that at Alexandria he presided over the school in which the catechumens, that is those who received instruction preparatory to baptism, were taught the principles of the Christian faith.” _Vicecomes, lib. 2,…
306 wordsSECTION 143Further Remarks Concerning Baptism In This Century.
From the writings of Walafridus Strabonus we may clearly infer what manner of baptism was practiced at this time, in the first as well as in the second century, and also long afterwards, namely, that no infants, but adult, reasonable, and believing persons were baptized, and this, according to the example of Christ and…
551 wordsSECTION 144Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Second Century.
[The two Roman, or, properly speaking, Greek Emperors, Trajan and Marcus Aurelius raised the principal persecutions against the Christians, in this century. This is amply shown in the following account, as well as what persons suffered for the name of Christ in these persecutions. In the persecutions through Trajan th…
719 wordsSECTION 145Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Second Century.
Finally, as he remained steadfast in his confession, he became conformed in suffering unto his Lord, whom he confessed, and was sentenced by Atticus to be crucified; which death he suffered in the tenth year of Emperor Trajan, which corresponds with the year of Christ 109. Compare the _1st Book of A. Mellinus_, printed…
682 wordsSECTION 146Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Second Century.
In the meantime his sentence of death was made known to him--in what manner and where he was to die; namely, that he should be torn to pieces by wild beasts at Rome. On his way thither, he wrote several consolatory epistles to his friends, the faithful in Christ Jesus; and also to different churches, as, to those of S…
713 wordsSECTION 147Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Second Century.
When the whole multitude of the people were assembled, to witness the death of Ignatius (for the report had spread throughout the whole city, that a bishop had been brought from Syria, who, according to the sentence of the Emperor, was to fight against the wild beasts), Ignatius was brought forth and placed in the midd…
827 wordsSECTION 148Justus And Pastor, Slain For The Faith At Complutum, About The Year 116.
NOTE.--Touching the manner of the death, or martyrdom, of Dionysius the Areopagite, we find nothing stated in ancient, trustworthy writers; hence we have said nothing about it, though some have written, that he was beheaded at Paris; for which statement we let them be responsible, since their accounts of this event dif…
565 wordsSECTION 149Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
About this time, writes P. J. Twisck, the instruments of the devil could not invent punishments severe enough, but what they considered the Christians worthy of. For they were watched in their houses as well as without; men cried out against them in all public places; they were scourged, stoned, and dragged about; thei…
719 wordsSECTION 150Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
FELICITAS WITH HER SEVEN SONS, JANUARIUS, FELIX, PHILIPPUS, SYLVANUS, ALEXANDER, VITALIS, AND MARTIALIS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE FAITH, AT ROME, A. D. 164. Felicitas was a Christian widow at Rome, and had seven sons, whose names were: Januarius, Felix, Philippus, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis. These lived t…
705 wordsSECTION 151Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
Thereupon, though they struck her in the face with their fists, in order to silence her, she did not cease to admonish her sons to remain steadfast, and to fear neither tortures nor rack, nor even death itself, but to die willingly for the name of Christ. Therefore, Publius the judge took each of her sons separately, …
678 wordsSECTION 152Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
HOW ATROCIOUSLY THE SINCERE CHRISTIANS WERE TREATED DURING THIS PERSECUTION. Everywhere, in all the cities, writes P. J. Twisck, the imperial edicts and decrees against the Christians were posted up; by reason of which the magistrates and officers proceeded very cruelly against them, persecuting them even unto death, …
689 wordsSECTION 153Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
“This and many more such discourses (writes Justinus) this old man had with me, showing me also, how I should further increase, and how I might obtain the things necessary to salvation. Then he went away, and I saw him no more. Immediately a burning desire was kindled in my heart, and a love for the Scriptures of the p…
725 wordsSECTION 154Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
As regards the teacher of this church, most of the ancient writers call him Polycarp, and say, that he was a disciple of the apostle John, inasmuch as he had heard John preach the word of God, and had associated with those who had known the Lord Jesus Christ personally, and had had intercourse with him; and that John h…
673 wordsSECTION 155Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
The Stadtholder admonished him to have compassion for his great age, and, by swearing by the Emperor’s fortune, to deny Christ. Thereupon Polycarp gave the following candid reply, “I have now served my Lord Christ Jesus eighty-six years, and he has never done me any harm. How can I deny my King, who hath hitherto prese…
786 wordsSECTION 156Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
TWELVE PIOUS CHRISTIANS, WHO HAD COME FROM PHILADELPHIA TO SMYRNA, PUT TO DEATH ON THE SAME DAY, WITH POLYCARP, THE AFOREMENTIONED MARTYR, A. D. 168. In the letter which the Holy Ghost directed John to write to the angel of the church at Smyrna, which we mentioned above, it is indicated, that not only the teacher, who…
728 wordsSECTION 157Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
“Among these was the aforementioned Germanicus, who, being strengthened through the grace of God, so powerfully overcame the natural and innate weakness of the mind, which so much dreads the bodily death, that, on account of his singular steadfastness, he could well be considered one of the most eminent martyrs. For, w…
651 wordsSECTION 158Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
At the time that this awful pressure of conscience continued under the Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, ceasing not until those who endeavored to live a Christian life according to their faith, had ended their lives under many torments, it came to pass that a certain pious Christian, called Attalus, who had b…
669 wordsSECTION 159Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
First, three of the aforementioned persons, namely, Maturus, Sanctus, and Blandina, were exceedingly and dreadfully tormented, especially Blandina, for whom the others stood in great fear, that, not being able to endure the pain, she might be in danger of denying Christ. But she was so steadfast in all her sufferings t…
806 wordsSECTION 160Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
AN OLD MAN OF NINETY YEARS, CALLED PHOTINUS, MISERABLY MALTREATED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL, AT LYONS, IN FRANCE; WHO AFTERWARDS DIED IN THE PRISON, ABOUT THE YEAR 179. In _Eusebius’ Church History_, as well as in several other ancient writers, mention is made of a certain old man, of more…
856 wordsSECTION 161Severe Persecutions Of The Believers About The Year 130.
When Epipodius had, in steadfastness, finished this confession, he was suspended, at the command of the Judge, on a stake, on both sides of which the executioners stood, drawing deep gashes with cutting hooks or claws into his sides. In the meantime the raging multitude cried, that he should be stoned to death, or torn…
380 wordsSECTION 162Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
This persecution caused an unexpected and terrible pestilence, which devastated countries and inhabitants, especially Italy, so that the Christians were forgotten; for there were villages that had been ravaged to such an extent, that they became entirely depopulated, and lay there waste and without inhabitants. _Keyser…
793 wordsSECTION 163Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
These words contain several dissuasions against baptizing too early. The first reason is based on the unprofitableness of hastening with it, and is contained in these words: “It is more profitable to defer baptism, according to the condition, circumstances, and age of each particular individual, than to hasten it.” The…
749 wordsSECTION 164Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
If you wish to learn still more of the views of Tertullian concerning baptism as instituted by Christ, read _lib. de Præscript, adversus Hæreticos, cap. 36_, cited by _H. Montanus, in Nietigh., page 23_, and by _J. du Bois_ (although he misinterprets this passage), _Contra Montanum, page 44_, where Tertullian writes th…
763 wordsSECTION 165Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
“Again, ‘As the religion of others does not concern us, and neither profits nor harms us; therefore, it does not become any one religion to force itself upon another, since it must be accepted voluntarily, and not by coercion, for what is required is the offering of a willing mind.’” (This agrees with Ex. 25, 35 and 36…
718 wordsSECTION 166Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
From this it will be seen, that at that time and place Christians were not in the habit of having their children or grandchildren baptized, unless these had reached riper years, and been instructed in the faith, which, when they confessed it, they were baptized upon. This should be borne in mind. _A. D. 231._--At this…
763 wordsSECTION 167Summary Of Baptism In This Century.
That such baptism, accompanied with the mortifying of the flesh, and resurrection unto a new life, is taught and commended by Origen, is clearly expressed in his comments on Rom. 6:3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” where he says: “But it seems to me th…
346 wordsSECTION 168Notice Concerning The Writings Of Origen With Reference To Baptism.
There are a few passages, namely, _Homil. 8_, on the 12th and 13th chapters of Leviticus; _Homil. 14_, on the 2d chap, of Luke; _Comment._ on the 6th chap. of the Epistle to the Romans, from which some who at this day uphold infant baptism suppose they can draw something to show that Origen was not a stranger to their …
674 wordsSECTION 169Notice Concerning The Writings Of Origen With Reference To Baptism.
“Again: He says that it is altogether a letter that killeth, that John should be understood literally and carnally. Hence he insists strongly upon it, that the natural eating of Christ’s body avails nothing, and that it must therefore be spiritually understood and eaten. _Euseb., lib. 6. Chron. Seb. Frank, fol. 101. Le…
704 wordsSECTION 170Notice Concerning The Writings Of Origen With Reference To Baptism.
_Same year as above._--Basilla, an honorable and discreet maiden, at Rome, in the reign of Emperor Galien, learned the Christian faith from the eunuch Protus, and Hiacynthus, and was also baptized by the abovementioned bishop Cornelius. _Grond. Bew. van den Doop_, printed 1581, _letter B., ij_. _A. D. 257._--Pontus, t…
760 wordsSECTION 171Notice Concerning The Writings Of Origen With Reference To Baptism.
Then he shows how holy, divine, and blessed a thing it is, to have joined one’s self by baptism to the nobility of Christ, that is, to his church. It is truly wonderful, how affectionately, sweetly, and comfortingly he addresses them, saying: “You have now given in your names to the nobility of Christ, and have receive…
674 wordsSECTION 172Notice Concerning The Writings Of Origen With Reference To Baptism.
_A. D. 300._--Arnobius, an old teacher says (in _Psalms 146_): “You are not first baptized, and then apprehend the faith, and rejoice in it; but when you are about to be baptized, you state before the teacher your perfect willingness, and make your confession with your own mouth.” _P. J. Twisck, Chron., 3d book, page 8…
590 wordsSECTION 173Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
[There never was a time in the church of Jesus Christ, in which so many and great tyrants arose to destroy and extirpate the people of God, as in this century; for scarcely had one ceased, when another began; excepting a short cessation under the Emperors Caracalla and Geta. The principal ones of those who tyrannized …
884 wordsSECTION 174Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
However, though these false accusations were brought against the Christians, their death was nevertheless owing entirely to the testimony and confession of Jesus Christ--that he was the Son of God, and the Savior of the human family. The most violent persecution of this time, according to Eusebius and Tertullian, was …
740 wordsSECTION 175Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
In the meantime these two pious heroines of Jesus Christ were martyred, that is, they died a violent death, for the name of their Savior; for which they will afterwards be crowned with the unfading wreath of immortality, as a triumph over the foes they overcame, namely, the cruelties and pains of death. The names of t…
700 wordsSECTION 176Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
When Plutarch, his beloved disciple, was led forth to death, he, according to his custom, comforted him, for which the raging multitude would have killed him, had not divine Providence protected him. This having happened, Plutarch was put to death for the name of Jesus Christ, and died as a martyr. After the death of …
730 wordsSECTION 177Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
IRENEUS, AN ANCIENT TEACHER, AFTER MANY TORMENTS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AT LYONS, IN FRANCE, ABOUT THE YEAR 210. Ireneus, by descent an Asiatic, was born at Smyrna. In his youth he attended school, and was a disciple of Polycarp, who was appointed by the apostle John bishop of the church at Smyrna…
666 wordsSECTION 178Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
Among other things he writes: “We are increased, and grow, when we are mowed down by you. The blood of the Christians is the seed (of the church). For who is there among you who, seeing these things, is not constrained to examine what there may be inside of this matter? Who, having examined it, does not join them, and,…
785 wordsSECTION 179Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
AGAPITUS, CALAPODIUS, TIBURTIUS, VALERIANUS, QUIRITIUS, JULIA, CECILIA, MARTINA, AND OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, ABOUT THE YEAR 223. It is stated that in the last persecution resumed under Alexandrinus Severus there were put to death among different other persons, for the name of Jesus Christ and the …
788 wordsSECTION 180Summary Of The Martyrs Of The Third Century.
ABOUT SIXTY NOTED, PIOUS MARTYRS PUT TO DEATH FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, ABOUT THE YEAR 239. In the preceding number of several thousand martyrs who laid down their lives under Maximin, in the sixth persecution, none of them are mentioned by name, doubtless because in the estimation of the world they were mostly lo…
477 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.