by Jim Baumgaertel | Apr 19, 2007 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
For the first three hundred years, persecution came in ten “waves,� with periods of relative peace between. Many were faithful and did not yield to temptations to deny Christ. These were the Confessors [faithful survivors of torture and prison] and Martyrs. Others...
by Jim Baumgaertel | Mar 8, 2007 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
FELIX c.303 AD Felix, a bishop in the church of Thibaris in Africa, was arrested and brought before the Procurator [Roman official] who demanded from him his copies of the Word of God in order to burn them. Their conversation went as follows. “It were better, that I...
by Jim Baumgaertel | Jan 27, 2007 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
Diocletian’s edict that all the sacred books of the Christians should be burned was a fiery trial for the saints of God. Since the copies were hand written and not the common possession of all as our printed Bibles are to us today, the leaders of the churches were...
by Jim Baumgaertel | Nov 17, 2006 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
PERPETUA c.202 AD A beloved African sister of wealthy and noble birth, highly educated and honorably married, was taken captive by persecutors of the faith. Only twenty-two years old and with babe at her breast, she was begged by her aged and pagan father to deny...
by Jim Baumgaertel | Oct 14, 2006 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
FELICITAS c.164 AD A Christian widow at Rome along with her seven sons and the church that met in their home, were used of the Lord to convert many to Christ. Full of fury, the pagan priests raised complaint to the Emperor and caused them to be brought before Publius,...
by Jim Baumgaertel | Aug 18, 2006 | Are We Like Christ?, Gospel for West Africa, Steve Phillips, THE STORM BREAKS - Chapter 4
Following are some accounts of various faithful martyrs who testified the good confession. They endured as seeing Him who is unseen, not accepting their release, that they might obtain a better resurrection. In the face of unspeakable horrors, they joined in suffering...
