The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Saviour’s words. The
powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His followers.
Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept
away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. The fires of persecution
were kindled. Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes.
They “endured a great fight of afflictions.” Hebrews 10:32. They “had trial of cruel [40]mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.” Hebrews 11:36.
Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor,
learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy.

These persecutions, beginning under Nero about the time of the martyrdom of Paul,
continued with greater or less fury for centuries. Christians were falsely accused of the
most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities—famine,
pestilence, and earthquake. As they became the objects of popular hatred and suspicion,
Would you maintain your faith if you were threatened with death?
Illustration © Pacific Press Publ. Assoc.

informers stood ready, for the sake of gain, to betray the innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the empire, as foes of religion, and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts or burned alive in theamphitheaters.

Some were crucified, others ere covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs.
Their punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public fetes. Vast multitudes
assembled to enjoy the sight and greeted their dying agonies with laughter and applause.
Wherever they sought refuge, the followers of Christ were hunted like beasts of prey.
They were forced to seek concealment in desolate and solitary places. “Destitute,
afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and
in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Verses 37, 38. The catacombs afforded
shelter for thousands.

Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome, long galleries had been
tunneled through earth and rock the dark and intricate network of passages extended for
miles beyond the city walls. In these underground retreats the followers of Christ buried
their dead; and here also, when suspected and proscribed, they found a home. When the
Life-giver shall awaken those who have fought the good fight, many a martyr for Christ’s
sake will come forth from those gloomy caverns.

Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith unsullied. Though
deprived of every comfort, shut away from the light of the sun, making their home in the
dark but friendly bosom of the earth, they uttered no complaint. With words of faith,
patience, and hope they encouraged one another to endure privation and distress. The loss
of every earthly blessing could not force them to renounce their belief in Christ. Trials
and persecution were but steps bringing them nearer their rest and their reward.

Like God’s servants of old, many were “tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they
might obtain a better resurrection.” Verse 35. These called to mind the words of their
Master, that when persecuted for Christ’s sake, they were to be exceeding glad, for great
would be their reward in heaven; for so the prophets had been persecuted before them.
They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of
triumph ascended from the midst of crackling flames.

Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ and angels leaning over the battlements of heaven, gazing upon them with the deepest interest and regarding their steadfastness with approval. A voice came down to
them from the throne of God: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

In vain were Satan’s efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence. The great
controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives did not cease when these
faithful standard-bearers fell at their post. By defeat they conquered. God’s workmen
were slain, but His work went steadily forward. The gospel continued to spread and the
number of its adherents to increase. It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible even
to the eagles of Rome. Said a Christian, expostulating with the heathen rulers who were
urging forward the persecution: You may “kill us, torture us, condemn us. . . . Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent [42] . . . . Nor does your cruelty . . . avail you.”

It was but a stronger invitation to bring others to their persuasion. “The oftener we are
mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.”—
Tertullian, Apology, paragraph 50.


Thousands were imprisoned and slain, but others sprang up to fill their places. And those
who were martyred for their faith were secured to Christ and accounted of Him as
conquerors. They had fought the good fight, and they were to receive the crown of glory
when Christ should come. The sufferings which they endured brought Christians nearer
to one another and to their Redeemer.

Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness for the truth; and where least expected, the subjects of Satan were leaving his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ. Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the government of God by planting his banner in the Christian church. If the followers of Christ could be deceived and led to displease God, then their strength, fortitude, and firmness would fail, and they
would fall an easy prey.

The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to secure by
force. Persecution ceased, and in its stead were substituted the dangerous allurements of
temporal prosperity and worldly honor. Idolaters were led to receive a part of the
Christian faith, while they rejected other essential truths. They professed to accept Jesus
as the Son of God and to believe in His death and resurrection, but they had no conviction
of sin and felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart. With some concessions on
their part they proposed that Christians should make concessions, that all might unite on
the platform of belief in Christ.

Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword were blessings in
comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood firm, declaring that they could make
no [43] compromise. Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of their
faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this
might be the means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep anguish to the
faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended Christianity, Satan was
insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the
word of truth.

Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard, and a union was formed
between Christianity and paganism. Although the worshipers of idols professed to be
converted, and united with the church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing the
objects of their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints. The foul
leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the church, continued its baleful work. Unsound
doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated into her faith
and worship. As the followers of Christ united with idolaters, the Christian religion became corrupted, and the church lost her purity and power.

There were some, however,
who were not misled by these delusions. They still maintained their fidelity to the Author
of truth and worshiped God alone.
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ.
While one class study the Saviour’s life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and
conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their
errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and
sincere.

Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received
into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and
granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an
opportunity to see their errors and correct them.

Among the twelve apostles was a traitor.
Judas was accepted, not [44] because of his defects of character, but notwithstanding
them. He was connected with the disciples, that, through the instruction and example of
Christ, he might learn what constitutes Christian character, and thus be led to see his
errors, to repent, and, by the aid of divine grace, to purify his soul “in obeying the truth.”
But Judas did not walk in the light so graciously permitted to shine upon him.

By indulgence in sin he invited the temptations of Satan. His evil traits of character became
predominant. He yielded his mind to the control of the powers of darkness, he became
angry when his faults were reproved, and thus he was led to commit the fearful crime of
betraying his Master. So do all who cherish evil under a profession of godliness hate
those who disturb their peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable
opportunity is presented, they will, like Judas, betray those who for their good have
sought to reprove them.

The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while they were
secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending
to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion for
themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these
pretenders, and the judgments of God rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This
signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites
and evildoers.

They could not long remain in connection with those who were, in habit
and disposition, constant representatives of Christ; and as trials and persecution came
upon His followers, those only who were willing to forsake all for the truth’s sake desired
to become His disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained
comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were added who were less sincere and
devoted, and the way was open for Satan to obtain a foothold. [45]But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and there can
be no union between their followers.

When Christians consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism, they entered upon a path which led further and further from the truth. Satan exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number
of the followers of Christ. He then brought his power to bear more fully upon these, and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God.

None understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who had once been its defenders; and
these apostate Christians, uniting with their half-pagan companions, directed their
warfare against the most essential features of the doctrines of Christ.
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand firm against the
deceptions and abominations which were disguised in sacerdotal garments and introduced
into the church. The Bible was not accepted as the standard of faith.

The doctrine of religious freedom was termed heresy, and its upholders were hated and proscribed.
After a long and severe conflict, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the
apostate church if she still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They saw
that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey the word of God. They dared
not tolerate errors fatal to their own souls, and set an example which would imperil the
faith of their children and children’s children.

To secure peace and unity they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be secured only
by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.

Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that actuated those
steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God’s professed people. There is an alarming
indifference in regard to the doctrines which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The
opinion is gaining ground, that, after all, these are not of vital importance.

This degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false theories and
fatal delusions which the faithful in ages past imperiled their lives to resist and expose,
are now regarded with favor by thousands who claim to be followers of Christ.

The early Christians were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and
unswerving faith were a continual reproof that disturbed the sinner’s peace. Though few
in numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles, they were a terror to evildoers
wherever their character and doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the
wicked, even as Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain. For the same reason that Cain slew
Abel, did those who sought to throw off the restraint of the Holy Spirit, put to death
God’s people.

It was for the same reason that the Jews rejected and crucified the Saviour, because the purity and holiness of His character was a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption. From the days of Christ until now His faithful disciples have excited the hatred and opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin.
How, then, can the gospel be called a message of peace? When Isaiah foretold the birth of
the Messiah, he ascribed to Him the title, “Prince of Peace.” When angels announced to
the shepherds that Christ was born, they sang above the plains of Bethlehem: “Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.

There is a seeming contradiction between these prophetic declarations and the words of Christ: “I
came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34. But, rightly understood, the two are in perfect harmony.
The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a system which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout theearth.

The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings.
It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the
world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents to
them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and
they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their
sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy
claims. It is in this sense—because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and
strife that the gospel is called a sword.

The mysterious providence which permits the righteous to suffer persecution at the hand
of the wicked has been a cause of great perplexity to many who are weak in faith. Some
are even ready to cast away their confidence in God because He suffers the basest of men
to prosper, while the best and purest are afflicted and tormented by their cruel power.
How, it is asked, can One who is just and merciful, and who is also infinite in power,
tolerate such injustice and oppression? This is a question with which we have nothing to
do.

God has given us sufficient evidence of His love, and we are not to doubt His
goodness because we cannot understand the workings of His providence. Said the
Saviour to His disciples, foreseeing the doubts that would press upon their souls in days
of trial and darkness: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater
than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20. Jesus
suffered for us more than any of His followers can be made to suffer through the cruelty
of wicked men. Those who are called to endure torture and martyrdom are but following
in the steps of God’s dear Son.

There is another and more important question that should engage the attention of the
churches of today. The apostle Paul declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a
great degree to slumber? The only reason is that the church has conformed to the world’s
standard and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion which is current in our day is
not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ
and His apostles.

It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the great
truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital
godliness in the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let
there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution
will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled.

References:
Ellen G White, Great Controversy page 26-29

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