The History of the Early Church 7- End of a World
Feb 2, 2014
Emperor Nero uses the Church as a scapegoat following a devastating fire in Rome, leading to severe persecutions that shape its future. The Judean revolt marks a clash with imperial authority, impacting both Christians and Jews. The destruction of the Jerusalem Temple sparks differing interpretations of divine judgment, deepening the rift between early Christians and Jews. Amidst these upheavals, leadership struggles emerge in the Jerusalem church as new figures rise to prominence, navigating a landscape filled with controversy and conflict.
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Nero's Christian Persecution
- After the great fire in Rome in 64 AD, Nero blamed Christians and began brutal persecutions.
- Believers were tortured, crucified, and burned, with some martyrdoms used as entertainment in Nero's games.
Why Christians Were Persecuted
- Christians were persecuted because they threatened Roman religious unity by rejecting emperor worship.
- Romans viewed Christians as atheists undermining the peace of the gods essential for Rome's prosperity.
Jerusalem Church Flees
- When the Jewish revolt broke out in 66 AD, the Jerusalem Church fled to Pella to avoid the fighting.
- In 70 AD, Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, devastating the Jewish people and Christians alike.