Change

Brand, Part 3

An episode of the oneChurch.tv podcast, hosted by Chris Edmondson, titled "Change" was published on March 17, 2013.

March 17, 2013 · oneChurch.tv

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Summary

Today, we associate Rome with the Catholic Church, butif you could go back in time and tell 1st century Christiansliving in Rome that their city would one day be full of ornatecrosses celebrating Jesus, they wouldn’t believe you. Theylived in an environment hostile to their faith. People aroundthem considered them members of a strange cult. They facedintense persecution. The emperor Nero falsely accused themof setting the Great Roman Fire of 64 AD and punished them by crucifying them and feeding them to dogs. The apostles Peter and Paul were martyred during Nero’s persecution. Yet by the 3rd century, Christianity had grown into the official religion of Rome. How did such a hated, powerless people become so influential?

Episode Description

Today, we associate Rome with the Catholic Church, but
if you could go back in time and tell 1st century Christians
living in Rome that their city would one day be full of ornate
crosses celebrating Jesus, they wouldn’t believe you. They
lived in an environment hostile to their faith. People around
them considered them members of a strange cult. They faced
intense persecution. The emperor Nero falsely accused them
of setting the Great Roman Fire of 64 AD and punished them by crucifying them and feeding them to dogs. The apostles Peter and Paul were martyred during Nero’s persecution. Yet by the 3rd century, Christianity had grown into the official religion of Rome. How did such a hated, powerless people become so influential?