REMEMBERING THE CHRISTIAN MARTYRS  OF OLD (PART 2)

TEXT:

"They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11 verses 37 to 38, King James Version).

It's on record that the first persecution of the Church was in the year 67 AD, during the reign of Nero who was the sixth emperor of Rome. It was during his tenure that many Christians were martyred, including Apostles Paul and Peter. There were other persecutions, under Domitian (AD 81), Trajan (AD 108), Marcus Antoninus (AD 162), etc.

   One common feature with these persecutions is that oftentimes, a variety of fabricated tales were composed to injure the Christians. If perchance, for example, famine, pestilence, fire outbreak, earthquakes afflicted any of the Roman provinces, it was quickly laid upon the Christians. This was the case with Nero, who for whatever reason, was said to have ordered that the city of Rome be set on fire; and in order to find occasion to persecute the Church, turned around to put the blame on the Christians.

      For this and such fabricated lies, many Christians were martyred. For their persecutors, it was a straightforward test that they needed to put to the Christians. It was either that a test oath was proposed, or that they were required to sacrifice to an idol; or that they recanted their faith in Christ. Failure or refusal to do any of these things spelt death for them. In some cases, the simple confession of faith in Christ was enough for martyrdom. Some died by hanging, some, by stoning, others by beheading, crucifixion and drowning. A host was fed to wild beasts, others were trust through with the sword, etc.

   Timothy, was a deacon of Mauritania, and was married to Maura, his wife, for three weeks before his arrest for being a Christian. Upon been summoned before Arrianus, the governor of Thebais, who,knowing that he had the Holy Scriptures in his possession, commanded him to deliver them up to be burnt; to which he answered, "Had I children, I would sooner deliver them up to be sacrificed, than part with the word of God."

"The governor, being much incensed and at this reply, ordered his eyes to be put out with red-hot irons, saying "The books shall at least be useless to you, for you shall not see to read them."

    His patience under the operation was so great, that the governor grew more exasperated; he, therefore, in order, if possible, to overcome his fortitude, ordered him to be hung up by the feet, with a weight tied about his neck, and a gag in his mouth. In this state, Maura, his wife, tenderly urged him for her sake to recant; but, when the gag was taken out of his mouth, instead of consenting to his wife's entreaties, he greatly blamed her mistaken love, and declared his resolution of dying for the faith. The consequence was that Maura resolved to imitate his courage and fidelity and either to accompany or follow him to glory.

     The governor, after trying in vain to alter her resolution, ordered her to be tortured which was executed with great severity. After this, Timothy and

Maura were crucified near each other, A. D. 304. (Foxe Book of Martyrs).

        Brethren, I hold these Martyrs in very high esteem. What do you say of them?

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, I receive grace to stay and remain strong in faith till the end, amen.