Were early Christians persecuted for their faith in Jesus? Christianity says YES.
But what is the truth?
The Christian movement had its center in Jerusalem. It took shape not as a new religion but as a sect or grouping within the parent body of Judaism. +
But what is the truth?
The Christian movement had its center in Jerusalem. It took shape not as a new religion but as a sect or grouping within the parent body of Judaism. +
The original community was composed of Palestinian Jews who believed in the resurrection of a certain godman born among them; proclaimed his imminent return as the fulfiller of godβs kingdom; lived in anticipation of that event; saw themselves as the true assembly of Israel, +
which is the end-time community which the Lord will recognize when he comes in glory (second coming). They saw themselves simply as Jews, as a renewed Israel. This fact is proved through their both their attendance at the temple and their obedience to the Law. +
The Palestinian Jewish converts lived in peace with the religious authorities in Jerusalem. Of course, they had their own institutions and particular identity. Practiced baptism, gathered regularly for prayers, broke bread, etc. The founding members called themselves apostles. +
Two groups of messiah believers (Christians, later) lived in Jerusalem- the Aramaic-speaking Palestinian believers & Greek-speaking Jewish believers, the Hellenists. Conflicts begin when the Hellenists complain that their widows were excluded at food distribution in Jerusalem.+
The Aramaic-speaking Christians resolve this by appointing Hellenistic administrators. Stephen is their leader. He and fellow-believers are found in acrimonious debates with the members of Greek-speaking synagogues. They find him speaking against their Law and their god Yahweh. +
They talked as though they were prepared to discard the Law in the light of their new religion. As a result of this they haul him before the Jewish elders & condemn him to death by stoning. This is the earliest execution of the followers of the messiah religion. +
Goes to show that the early believers were executed because of their acrimony & not because of their faith. The bible confirms this.
1st we're told that Stephenβs death was the beginning of a great persecution against the church that scattered the believers out of Jerusalem.+
1st we're told that Stephenβs death was the beginning of a great persecution against the church that scattered the believers out of Jerusalem.+
2nd, in the same breath (same verse) it says that the apostles remained in Jerusalem. (Acts 8.1).
Questions is, if the church was being persecuted why didnβt the apostles also get scattered out of Jerusalem?
This clearly shows that the truth is something else.
What is it? +
Questions is, if the church was being persecuted why didnβt the apostles also get scattered out of Jerusalem?
This clearly shows that the truth is something else.
What is it? +
Truth is only those Christians β the Hellenists β who spoke against the Jewish temple, their law and their god were executed. Proves, the persecution was not because of faith but because of the acrimonious attitude of new converts towards the religion that they just abandoned.+
Now you know why new converts hate the religion that they just abandon.
Back then believers were punished by persecution for acrimony toward their former religion. Now, in civilized societies, the best punishment is to decrease their nos. by exposing Christianity intellectually.
Back then believers were punished by persecution for acrimony toward their former religion. Now, in civilized societies, the best punishment is to decrease their nos. by exposing Christianity intellectually.
Loading suggestions...