Difference between revisions of "Persecuted Church"

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===History of persecution of Christians===
 
===History of persecution of Christians===
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Persecution of Christians has occurred sporadically from the time of Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples, and by implication, Christians through the ages, that they would face persecution.
  
 
====[[Persecution of the early church]]====
 
====[[Persecution of the early church]]====
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For about 250 years after the death of Jesus there was almost a constant threat of persecution against the church. Christians suffered from persecutions for various reasons, including their refusal to worship the Roman emperor, considered treasonous and punishable by execution. There were persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan and the other Antonines, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius. Many Christians were willing to die for their faith. The first martyr known of was the [[apostle Stephen]] who was stoned by the Jewish religious leaders - the story is told in [[Acts 7]].
  
 
====[[Persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages]]====
 
====[[Persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages]]====

Revision as of 11:33, 2 February 2008


The Persecuted Church
RELATED TOPICS
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Since the time of Jesus, many Christians have experienced persecution from both non-Christians and from other Christians during the history of Christianity. Persecution has included confiscation of destruction, imprisonment, torture and even execution. Today, some of the worst persecution of Christians occurs in Islamic countries such a Saudi Arabia where Christians who openly profess their faith risk death.

Persecution of Christians around the world today

Each year the organisation Open Doors compiles a list of the countries where severe persecution of Christians occurs. For the last four years, communist North Korea has been the worse offended, closely followed by Islamic Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and the Maldives. Its 2007 list of the ten countries where persecution of Christians is worst is as follows

  1. North Korea
  2. Saudi Arabia
  3. Iran
  4. Somalia
  5. Maldives
  6. Yemen
  7. Bhutan
  8. Vietnam
  9. Laos
  10. Afghanistan

History of persecution of Christians

Persecution of Christians has occurred sporadically from the time of Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples, and by implication, Christians through the ages, that they would face persecution.

Persecution of the early church

For about 250 years after the death of Jesus there was almost a constant threat of persecution against the church. Christians suffered from persecutions for various reasons, including their refusal to worship the Roman emperor, considered treasonous and punishable by execution. There were persecutions under Nero, Domitian, Trajan and the other Antonines, Maximinus Thrax, Decius, Valerian, Diocletian and Galerius. Many Christians were willing to die for their faith. The first martyr known of was the apostle Stephen who was stoned by the Jewish religious leaders - the story is told in Acts 7.

Persecution of Christians in the Middle Ages

Persecution post-Reformation

Persecution by Christians

Quotes

Links

General

New articles



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