The Environment of Early Christianity We are involved in warfare. we have the ability to win. Many wonder if there is any hope in bringing any change. Easy for us to start feeling like giving up. After all, people seem to not be interested in the truth. 1. Can we teach today? 2. Can we live the Christians life today? 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has over come the world -- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Daniel 2:34-35 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Some hesitate, make excuses why people are not taught, churches not grow, why Chris tians are not pure as they ought to be and not dedicated as they ought. Say we live in wicked world, cannot teach because of all the sin. Many believe we are living in the last days because all is so wicked. We Are Living in Perilous Times! (Some times are more perilous than others) Sin is everywhere: Drinking, Lying, Fornication, Drugs, Theft, etc. How can we hope to teach and prosper in our society? Soft, undisciplined, self-indulgent - How can we teach true discipleship? Read of promises and accomplishments in N.T. How can we hope to do this with what we are up against? We think we have problems and we do! Still, we need to understand the environment of early Christianity to better understand how we should be living today. Excuse: Look at the Disregard for Human Life Today. Abortion, Euthanasia, Violent Crimes. Life isn't considered to be as important as it used to be. Need to understand the world our brethren were facing in the first Cent. See what they were up against in their world. The First Century was a World filled with Slavery. From war, piracy, kidnapping, slave-breeding and debt. Estimates vary, some guess 60,000,000 in Empire 1. Pergamum had one slave for every 2 freeman. 2. One census in Corinth counted 460,000 3. In Rome, Edward Gibbons estimated half slave - half free in city of nearly one million during the reign of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 18:2) 4. Slavery was so common in the ancient world that at one time, 10,000 might be sold in one day at Delos Market. Slavery alone was a disregard for individual's rights. The slave was called a "res", not a "persona". They were mere property with no rights. Masters could inflict any punishment he desired for any reason: 1. They would torture, maim, break up families, crucify. 2. If a runaway was caught, he was made an example to others. (reason for the book of Philemon) 3. Female slaves had no protection from lusts of masters. 4. Slave's testimony could only be given under torture. 5. There are accounts of Masters crucifying slaves after cutting out their tongues 6. For slightest offenses - owners would often cut off hands or throw slaves into pools filled with lampreys or force them to fight as gladiators in Amphitheater. a. Augustus crucified Eros for eating a quail. b. Roman women would tear at face or drive pins in the flesh of slaves if one curl was out of place or wrinkle in clothes. 7. If the Master was murdered, all the slaves were executed. a. When Pedanius was murdered, his 400 slaves were executed. Common proverb: "So many slaves - so many enemies". Abortion: Abortion was very common because of poverty among the poorer classes. The more affluent practiced abortion because of fear of pain and disfigurement. (Girl in FL had an abortion so she could wear a bikini in the summer) Plato and Aristotle recommended it. Exposure: Aristotle and Plato said this was a good way to control population. (Claimed they were overpopulated) Romans practiced it with elderly parents, illegitimate and deformed children. Letters have been preserved where husbands instruct wives to destroy any female babies that may be born while they were gone. Seneca: "We destroy monstrous births; infants also if weak or misshapen we drown. It is not anger by reason to separate the useless from the healthy." Today, March of Dimes pushes amniocentesis to "prevent" birth defects. Tertullian: "How many of you, even among the Magistracy, destroy your children: you drown them, or expose them to die of cold or hunger or to be eaten of dogs?" Suetonius recorded that mothers exposed their infants when Germanicus (Roman General) died as a sign of grief. Killing the baby was better than exposing. Exposing caused large business in babies. 1. Some were maimed to turn into beggars. 2. Some became slaves, some used for male and female prostitutes. 3. Witches used them to get the bones and brains for magical purposes. Excuse: We Cannot Teach Today Because of Divorce Problems and Breakdown of Family Divorce approaching 1 out of 2 marriages today. We need to see what our First Century brethren were facing. Seneca: "Women marry to divorce and divorce to marry. Women don't count time by passing of years but in husbands." Cicero divorced a wife because she was not sufficiently sorry at the death of a friend. Men lent their wives to others or borrowed other men's wives for period of time. Children belonged to the state instead of the family. Parents didn't want the responsibility. They were trained by slaves who did not care for morals and they often had half-bro. and sisters among the slaves. Excuse: T.V., Movies, Music Are Corrupting Everyone So We Cannot Teach. Meyer's Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire Almost from the beginning the Roman stage was gross and immoral. It was one of the main agencies to which must be attributed the undermining of the moral fiber of the Roman society. Samuel Angus: The Environment of Early Christianity, speaking of the stage: It's plots were in general of an obscene character, especially seduction, scenes of adultery, cheating of husbands or fathers or persons easily imposed on. Female performers were nearly nude. The plays were filled with coarse jokes and obscene gestures. The stock characters were the parasite, the sensual old man, the unprincipled father and son in love with the same woman and the cheating slave. These were live performances instead of T.V. Amphitheater - Gladiator games began 264 BC with three pairs of contestants. They quickly grew in popularity and competition developed to see who could show the most blood. 1. Julius Caesar put up 320 pairs to fight to the death. 2. During the reign of Augustus, it became fashionable to put up 100 pairs to fight for private entertainment according to Horace. During the reign of Augustus, more than 10,000 fought in battle. 3. Agrippa caused 700 pairs to fight on one day in Berytus. 4. Claudius (Ax 18:2) liked to witness the contortions of dying gladiators. He would watch the fights from sunrise and sunset and sometimes go down to the arena floor to force the gladiators to keep fighting. 5. Titus put up 3,000. 6. Trajan ordered a show that lasted 100 days that 5,000 pairs fought in. The Games became so popular that Augustus and Tiberius had to restrict the numbers attending. During reign of Nero, even Senators and affluent women would fight. Crowds became bored with simple killing. 1. Started putting unarmed men against wild animals. 2. Under Titus, 5,000 animals died in the Coliseum. 3. Domition arranged a battle for dwarfs and women in 90 AD. Men were blindfolded and forced to fight to amuse the crowds. If they hesitated to go out into the arena, they were whipped and prodded by red-hot irons. The fallen gladiator was dragged by a hook through "Death's Gate". There, they were stripped and if still alive, were killed. Many Christians were used in the games during times of persecutions. Nearly all towns had Amphitheaters where Gladiators fought. They were as common as football stadiums today. Excuse: There is Too Much Immorality Today to be Able to Teach Greeks had state operated brothels to raise money to build temples to the gods. Seneca: "Chastity is simply a proof of ugliness." "Innocence is not rare, it is non-existent." 1. During the reign of Alexander Severus, when a man was appointed governor of a province, he was given 20 lb. of silver, 100 pieces of gold, a pair of horses and mules, four garments and a concubine if unmarried. 2. Messalina, wife of Claudius, left the palace at night to work as a prostitute. 3. Homosexuality was so common that Gibbons claimed that Claudius was the only emperor of the first fifteen that was not a homosexual. 4. 4. Plato followed the example of his instructor, Socrates and wrote his "Symposium". It is a work on Love by men for young boys (NAMBA's motto "sex by eight is too late") Obstacles Facing the Christians a. In this society, Christianity went on the offensive. They taught in a society where this lifestyle was no cause for shame, but rather, it was the established custom and practice. b. Strong influence of Gnosticism caused many to teach that it did not matter what anyone did in their body. You could fulfill any desire of the body in any way you desired and it would not matter. c. In this society, prostitution was often connected with religion. Many Temples had prostitutes that were dedicated to the service of the gods. The Temple of Aphrodite in Corinth, with its 1,000 prostitutes who worked the streets of Corinth at night, was the most famous, but there were many others throughout the empire. Excuse: Politics are Corrupt, There is No Trust in Government, There is No Stability in the Country 1. During the Time of the Apostle Paul's conversion, Caligula had heads of statues of gods replaced with his image. He insisted on being addressed as Jupiter. There is a story told of how he made his horse a member of the Senate. He also lived in incest with his sister. 2. During the time Philip., Eph., Col., were written, Nero had image made of him as a sun god taller than the Statue of Liberty. He kicked his wife so hard when she was three months pregnant that she died. He built a ship for his mother that was designed to sink 1/2 way on its first journey. He was openly homosexual, and married a young boy in a public ceremony and had a marriage procession through the streets of Rome. Nero is famous for persecution of Christians. They were tortured in many ways. Many were tied to poles in his garden and wrapped up with oily rags and set on fire while he and his friends drove by in chariots. He was very wasteful. Flowers for one of his parties cost the equivalent of $600,000. Excuse: If We Teach, We Will Lose Friends, Jobs, be Persecuted if We Try to Teach. Eusebius writing of the persecution under Galerius Augustus: Christians were flogged till the flesh hung form their bones... salt or vinegar was poured in their wounds... their flesh was cut off bit by bit to feed waiting animals... they were eaten piecemeal by starved beasts... their fingers were pierced with sharp reeds under their nails... their eyes were gouged out... they were suspended by a hand or foot... some had molten lead poured down their throats... they were beheaded, beaten to death with clubs or crucified, some were torn asunder by being tied to bent branches. Racial tensions, rising crime rate, high unemployment, Inflation, gambling, alcoholism, Pornography, false religion, interest in occult and astrology - these are some of the problems in the Roman Empire during the early days of Christianity. Can see why Paul wrote Rom 1:24-32 (28-31) What Happened When the Gospel Was Brought to These People? Paul came to one of the worst cities in Empire - Corinth - Acts 18:1-11 To call one a "Corinthian" was an insult (Corinthizomai - act like a Corinthian). Paul spent 1 1/2 years there - 1 Cor 6:9-11 Ephesus (city of 300,000) Acts 19. Temple of Diana was a refuge for any criminal within certain distance. Gospel came in and book burning of 50,000 pieces of silver. Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed. The Gospel Prevailed in Jerusalem and Judea - Acts 5:28, 6:7 False religion: Pharisees - hypocritical, legalistic. Sadducees - liberals, no faith in God's Word. The Gospel Prevailed in Samaria - Acts 8:6, 9:31 This was a region of intense hatred, jealousy ignorance. The Gospel Prevailed in the Uttermost Parts of the Earth Acts 11:21, 26, 12:24, 14:1, 21, 16:5, 19:20, 26-27 Antioch, Asia Minor, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Rome Acts 13:1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Philippians 1:12-13 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ. Philippians 4:22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household. Colossians 1:5-6 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. No radio, T.V. church bulletins, correspondence courses, gospel meetings. Just people dedicated to spreading the gospel to a lost world. Come Back to the 20th Century, Look at our heritage. 1. We have the same mission they had. 2. Have same God that has promised to help. Look at the world - need is greater than ever. Harvest is white unto harvest - problem too few laborers. We can't compare self to others but to Word of God. We are promised power to overcome the world, not spirit of fear. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. We are to be "More than conquerors". Be bold - not scared hiding in a corner. Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. First ones sent home with Gideon were those who feared. They did not have the faith in God they needed. They were no good to His cause. First ones mentioned in Rev. 21:8 that will not enter the New Jerusalem are the "fearful" (KJV). There are still no good today. Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Deut. 20 1-8 We have that which is more excellent, that which is perfect, full grown, complete. They had the partial, childhood. If they overcame we can too. Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Are you being a light where you live? Being faithful to the Lord? Times may be difficult, but we can succeed in what our Lord has commanded. Compare the method of Lenin vs. Tolsty. 1. Tolsty wanted to admit anyone into the Communist party that was sympathetic at all towards its goals. He wanted large numbers. 2. Lenin wanted to admit only the completely dedicated. He didn't care about numbers. Lenin changed the world, Most have never heard of Tolsty. Christ doesn't need a large crowd. He needs a small handful who are completely dedicated to His cause and will live in such a manner that He can work in their lives. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc