Salvation Essay #8. A Brief Essay; “Lions, tigers, beasts, fire, sword and worse!”
By Jeff Swanson, Interim Pastor at New Hope Lutheran Church, El Paso Texas
In Essay #7, I offered reasons that Christians who moved into the wider Roman Empire, especially Europe and Asia Minor, were often unwelcome, ostracized, and frequently persecuted by violent means. Their properties were confiscated. Many were executed and killed as public entertainment in arenas.
Roman Catholics saved much history. Thank you! Perhaps some are embellished. But the stories, even in minor form, are horrendous. And yet, tremendous inspirations for the saving love of Jesus.
For example, 7 March 203, Carthage in North Africa, two young women were killed, by beasts and sword, as public entertainment. Perpetua; a young mother. Nursing. Felicity; a pregnant young slave woman. She was allowed to give birth before she died. Perpetua was allowed to nurse her baby.
With Perpetua and Felicity, three more Christians whom we know nothing about were killed by letting wild beasts devour them before the cheering crowds; Revoicatus, Secundulus, and Saturninus. These anonymous Christians represent myriads of martyrs, saved for heaven by Jesus as stated in the Revelation Letter. Verse 7:14. “…These are those who have come out of there great tribulation…”
Her father pleaded Perpetua; save her life by renouncing faith in Jesus. She pointed to a pot and stated that the pot is a “pot” and nothing else. She then stated that she is a Christian and no other faith. Perpetua dreamed before execution. In the dream she stepped off a ladder and unto a snake’s head. Interpretation; she would step into heaven, welcomed by Jesus, and evil … eventually crushed.
Another was Polycarp. Martyred 155 AD. Smyrna, Turkey. Polycarp was burned alive and pierced with a spear for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. He stated about Jesus; "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” At his death, he said: "I bless you, Father, for judging me worthy of this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ.”
Nero, the Emperor, wanted to clear Rome of overcrowded slums where impoverished Christians resided. Whether Nero was the instigator is still debated, but 10 of 14 districts burned beginning 18 July, 65 AD. Fact: Nero built a palace on some cleared lands. Some historians stated that Nero played a fiddle during the fire. A caustic saying sticks as critique of powerbrokers, who are frivolous in a crisis instead of relieving suffering. Hence the saying; “Nero fiddled while Rome burned.”
Senator Calepodius was a wealthy Roman official. He and sixty five of his family and servants became Christians. On 10 May, 232, Calepodius was tortured first, then all martyred. We do not know how the others died. But Senator Calepodius was drowned.
On 10 August, 258, Rome, a Priest named Laurence was martyred. He was 32 years old. Imprisoned for the crime of food distribution to the poor. In prison, he converted other prisoners. The Emperor, Valerian, got mad and had him tied to a bed of irons, and slowly roasted to death.
How many Christians were martyred? We don’t know. But scholarly estimates range; many thousands to millions! I suspect the higher numbers. Why? Historical documents reveal that at least ALL SEVEN of the major Roman Emperors executed official massive persecutions until 311 AD. Yep!
In 1883, artist Jean Leon Gerome painted “A Christian Martyr’s Last Prayer.” Depicts a ferocious lion in an arena before a cheering crowd. Huddled Christians. One standing, leading a prayer…to Jesus.
So…Salvation faith via Jesus, among early Christians, was tested. Salvation by Jesus was not a mere bumper sticker type of bragging slogan! We do well to humbly study, and thank God for their witness.
Next, we’ll consider the human beast, plus fear and salvation faith, from a psychological perspective.