Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Persecution of the Christian Church Commenced At

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Jerusalem holds a significant place in the history of the early Christian Church, not only as the location of pivotal events such as the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ but also as the birthplace of the Church itself. It was in Jerusalem that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness (Acts 2:1-4). However, it was also in this city that the first waves of persecution against the nascent Christian community began.

The persecution of the Christian Church in Jerusalem is first recorded in the Book of Acts. Following the miraculous healing of a lame man by Peter and John, the apostles were arrested by the temple authorities, who were "greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead" (Acts 4:2). Despite being warned not to speak in the name of Jesus, the apostles continued their ministry, leading to further arrests and beatings (Acts 5:17-40).

The situation escalated with the martyrdom of Stephen, a deacon full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who was stoned to death after delivering a powerful testimony before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:54-60). Stephen's death marked a turning point, as "on that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria" (Acts 8:1). This scattering, however, served to spread the gospel beyond the confines of Jerusalem, as those who were scattered "preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4).

The persecution was spearheaded by Saul of Tarsus, who "began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:3). Saul's zealous efforts to eradicate the Christian movement were halted dramatically on the road to Damascus, where he encountered the risen Christ and subsequently converted, becoming the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-19).

Despite the initial persecution, the apostles remained in Jerusalem, continuing to preach and teach. The early church in Jerusalem faced ongoing challenges, including further arrests and threats from Jewish authorities. The apostle James, the brother of John, was executed by Herod Agrippa I, marking another significant moment of persecution (Acts 12:1-2).

The persecution in Jerusalem was a catalyst for the spread of Christianity, as believers carried the message of Christ to new regions. The trials faced by the early church in Jerusalem are a testament to the resilience and faith of the apostles and early Christians, who, despite opposition, remained steadfast in their mission to proclaim the gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:1
And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 8:1
And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Persecution under Decius, and the Sufferings of Origen.
... On account of his hatred of Philip, he commenced a persecution of the ... 2. In Palestine,
Alexander, [2063] bishop of the church of Jerusalem, was brought ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxix the persecution under decius.htm

Church History
... The Causes of the Diocletian Persecution. On Bk. ... Bishops of Antioch. Bishops of
Jerusalem. ... [ Prev] [Top] [Next ]. Church History Christian Bookshelf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... thence to Jerusalem and beginning to testify as a Christian, he found ... movement had
been begun by fugitives driven by persecution from Jerusalem, and it ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... Just so, when the fear of persecution was removed ... this is the event which most Christian
expositors mention ... in the Revelation, by "the New Jerusalem coming down ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... men of the city, and raised persecution" against them ... says to the meeting held at
Jerusalem""God, which ... we may recognise their tact and Christian prudence in ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... of S. Paul during his last journey to Jerusalem. ... vi, vii) stirred up the first
persecution; and Philip ... But without doubt every Christian in this country ought ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... Nero had not then commenced his memorable persecution of the ... of his early ministrations;
and reached Jerusalem [155:5 ... those words so full of Christian faith and ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... a few of them gladly received Christian baptism ... were scattered abroad by the persecution
which arose ... further intimation, they were bound to remain at Jerusalem. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... he has been called the second bishop of Jerusalem. ... for a time to restrain the violence
of persecution, it pronounced ... on him by Proculus, a Christian slave, [297 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... of the fifth century of the Christian era ... "Persecution has not stopped the progress
of truth, but has ... odd years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem, Christ, after ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm