Mark-Anthony Heslop

Christians and Persecution

        The first persecution of Christians was made by the Roman Emperor Nero. He was born in 36 AD, to the parents Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger. Nero led a perverted and corrupted childhood. He was a glutton, homosexual, murderer and considered insane by many. He was extremely jealous of anyone suspected of rebellion and he retaliated in persecution, suppression and murder. Nero murdered many people, including his wife, girlfriend. He had his mother killed because she posed as a threat to him. In July 64AD, two thirds of Rome burnt down. It was rumoured that Nero was behind the fire that destroyed Rome and he had planned in detail to build a plush palace, The Golden House. Nero had to find some scapegoats in which the blamed could be placed. Nero chose the new secret religious sect of the Christians as his scapegoats and punished them severely. Nero took pleasure in the Christians persecutions and even offered many of them upon stakes to be burned to death as torches for his parties. Many of them were hunted down and tortured; some were sown into skins of animals and fed to starving dogs while the mobs cheered. The persecution of Christians by Nero revealed the growing resentment the people had towards the early church. Christianity was a new religion and did not appear to be very threatening, this is why the Christians where used as scapegoats. Before Nero had begun persecuting Christians, they were generally non-threatening to the peace of the Roman Empire. Nero being faced with revolt, committed suicide in June of 68AD.

        The modern day reader of Mark’s Gospel often think they are reading about the teachings and life of Jesus but really this is not a very accurate view. Mark’s Gospel begins with the start of Jesus’ public ministry and only about three years before his death. Almost from the start of the gospel, Mark’s writing contains warnings that Jesus will suffer and die and that those who follow him will risk the same fate.

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        One of the most unlikely clues to the fact that the gospel was written for people who might be facing persecution comes in the explanation of the parable of the sower. He says that the seeds that fall on stony ground represents those who “hear the message and gladly receive it but does not sink deep into them and they don’t last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once,” Ch4 V16-17. Jesus speaks specifically about his own suffering and death he gives a very clear warning to those who wish to ...

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