L3: Heresies and Martyrdom in the 1st Century 1)H eresies 2)Martyrdom

Heresies 1) Judaizers (Re-Judaism) 2) Gnosticism 3) Sorcery / Simony 4) Nicolaitans 5) Others: paganism, ethicism

Re-Judaism 1) Practiced Moses Law in Christianity 2) Denied the Lord Jesus Christ as God Incarnate; prophet or second Moses 3) It was the subject of the 1 st Christian council in Jerusalem; Acts 15. “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” Acts 15:1

Gnosticism 1) Believed in 2 sources of creation, the spirit (for good) and the material (for evil). 1) Believed in 2 sources of creation, the spirit (for good) and the material (for evil). 2) Christ is just a phantom / apparition denying His Incarnation 3) Relies on many of Gnostic books such as the Gospel of Thomas, Judas, Mary Magdala, etc. It has a lot of publications

Sorcery / Simony 1) Established by Simon the Sorcerer; Samaritan; his story is in Acts 8: ) Established by Simon the Sorcerer; Samaritan; his story is in Acts 8: ) He remained pagan after his baptism; used Christianity to make money => Simony 3) The Samarians worshipped Simon who named himself 1 st god the father among Samaritans and Jesus the son among Jews.

Nicolaitans 1) Named after Nicolas one of the seven deacons; Acts 6:5 1) Named after Nicolas one of the seven deacons; Acts 6:5 2) Mentioned in Rev. 2:6, in which his heresy is explained 3) They encouraged pagan worship and sacrifices, denied that God created the world, and called for sexual immoralities.

Martyrdom + Motives for martyrdom + Persecution history + Evaluating martyrdom

Motives of Martyrdom World is limited as compared to eternity; 2Cor 4:17, 1John 2:17 World is limited as compared to eternity; 2Cor 4:17, 1John 2:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” 2Cor 4:17

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” Christians are strangers to this world; 1Peter 1:17, Hebrews 11:13, 2Cor 5:6-8 Christians are strangers to this world; 1Peter 1:17, Hebrews 11:13, 2Cor 5:6-8 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Hebrews 11:13

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” In life there will be tribulations; John 16:33, Rev 21:4 In life there will be tribulations; John 16:33, Rev 21:4 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33

Motives of Martyrdom “Cont’d” Death will lead to glory; John 12:24- 25, Romans 8:17-18, 2Tim 2:11 Death will lead to glory; John 12:24- 25, Romans 8:17-18, 2Tim 2:11 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Romans 8:18

Persecution History 1 st Martyr in Christianity is St. Stephen; Acts 8:1-3 then Christ’s followers and disciples; Acts 9:1. 1 st Martyr in Christianity is St. Stephen; Acts 8:1-3 then Christ’s followers and disciples; Acts 9:1. Martyrdom continued through the 10 Roman emperors from Niro to Dicoletian Martyrdom continued through the 10 Roman emperors from Niro to Dicoletian They were martyred for the sake of faith, purity and dogma They were martyred for the sake of faith, purity and dogma

Evaluating Martyrdom Desire Desire Courage Courage Evangelizing Evangelizing

Evaluating Martyrdom “Desire” They offered themselves to die for Christ refusing chances to escape. They offered themselves to die for Christ refusing chances to escape. “And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance” Hebrews 11:35

Evaluating Martyrdom “Cont’d” “Courage” No fear in Christ No fear in Christ “stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire…” Hebrews 11:33-34 Those who were tortured were more courageous than those who tortured them – Cyprian the Bishop

Evaluating Martyrdom “Cont’d” “Evangelizing” Martyrs endurance for torturing attracted many to the Christian faith Martyrs endurance for torturing attracted many to the Christian faith The blood of martyrs are the seed of the church; “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” John12:24