THEO 300
Chapter 1: Apostles and Contents
the Martyrs 1. Apostles
2. Factors for the early
Expansion of Christianity
3. Martyrs
4. From Saul to Paul: A story
of Conversion and
Greatness
5. Roman Emperors and
Persecution of the
Christians
6. Conclusion
1. Apostles Greek: Apostolos, “person sent”
Any of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ
The 12 Apostles (Mark 3,Matthew 10, and Luke 6)
Peter; James and John, the sons of Zebedee; Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew;
Matthew; Thomas; James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus, or Judas, the son of
James; Simon the Cananaean, or the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot
Mark 15:15-18
baptism and breaking of bread
The Apostles were credited to be responsible for the establishment of various
Churches in the Mediterranean world.
According to Richard Cronin, SJ (1964), such massive expansion of
Christianity was reinforced by the following factors:
2. Factors for the
Early Expansion
of Christianity
Roman Empire Diaspora of Jews
Decay of Paganism
3. Martyrs Greek:mártys, “witness”
Someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating,
renouncing, refusing to renounce, or refusing to advocate a belief
or cause as demanded by an external party.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was put to trial and later,
stoned to death due to his refusal to denounce his faith in Jesus.
F RO M S AU L T O PAU L : A S T O RY O F
C O N V E R S I O N A N D G R E AT N E S S
Saul was known to be a persecutor of the Christians.
He headed to Damascus with the intention of bringing the Christians to trial.
Saul became blind, and was helped by a Christian named Ananias, who also restored his
sight.
Saul eventually found his faith in Jesus and proclaimed Jesus as “the Son of God”.
F RO M S AU L T O PAU L : A S T O RY O F
C O N V E R S I O N A N D G R E AT N E S S
The apostles accepted Saul (now renamed Paul) as a member of the Jerusalem Church.
“Apostle to the Gentiles”
He wrote the Pauline letters or epistles.
PAU L ’ S L E T T E R S R E D E F I N E D T H R E E M A I N
POINTS:
1. The primacy of faith in Jesus over the mere obedience of the law.
2. The necessity and glory of the resurrection of Jesus and its message of hope to Jesus’
followers.
3. The predicament place of Christ in the total plan of God from creation to the end of
time.
RO M A N E M P E RO R S A N D P E R S E C U T I O N O F T H E
CHRISTIANS
The Roman Empire, through Nero in 64 C.E., initiated the widespread, brutal persecution
of Christians.
Emperor Trajan wrote a letter to Pliny the Younger, his governor in Asia Minor.
Septimus Severus intensified the campaign for the persecution with greater severity.
RO M A N E M P E RO R S A N D P E R S E C U T I O N O F T H E
CHRISTIANS
In 250 C.E., Emperor Decius directed that all citizens of the empire must worship the
gods of the Romans and secure a certification from the government.
Valerian continued the persecution in 257 by ordering the confiscation of Christian
Churches.
Galienus, son of Valerian, stopped his father’s order and returned the confiscated Church
property.
RO M A N E M P E RO R S A N D P E R S E C U T I O N O F T H E
CHRISTIANS
Diocletian (284-305) renewed the former edicts of persecution by Decius and Valerian, but
added the confiscation of Christian writings as well as Church buildings.
Persecution met its end at the time of Galerius in 311.
In 313, Emperor Constantine together with Licinus issued the Edict of Milan.
CONCLUSION
