Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
In its early days, as throughout most of its history, the church faced both external and internal problems. The external problems mostly took the form of persecutions. Before A.D. 250, persecutions were local, sporadic, and often the result of mob action rather than of civil policy.
One of the discouragements that meets every true Christian before he has gone very far in the Christian life is persecution. God tells us in His Word that “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
When Rome came to think that Christians were traitors of the State, she ruled over them in cruel and unmerciful repression. Says historian J. M. Roberts: “Many Christians in the capital [Rome] certainly perished horribly in the arena or were burned alive.” (Shorter History of the World) Of these Christian victims of Nero’s persecution, another report states: “Some were crucified, some were sewn up in the skins of animals and hunted down by dogs, some were covered with pitch and set alight to serve as living torches when darkness fell.”—New Testament History, by F. F. Bruce.
1 Corinthians 10:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
As promised in the Bible, how may God “provide the way of escape” of temptations and trials for us? How are we to understand what God promises with regard to our personal limitations in the face of trials and temptations?
One of the discouragements that meet every true Christian before he has gone very far in the Christian life is persecution. God tells us in His Word that “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Sooner or later everyone who surrenders absolutely to God and seeks to follow... Continue Reading →