Pioneer Christian Monthly - July, 1975

The Church Changes The World
Ignatius Of Antioch: Theologian and Martyr
R. A. Hartmans

Most of us admire deeply contemporary Christians who are persecuted because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ. The early history of the Church saw many such persecutions. First Jewish leaders like Paul persecuted and, sometimes, killed the followers of Jesus. Later, as the Church began to grow, she became outlawed by the Roman Empire and many Christians died for their witness to the Lord.

The very word martyr, meaning someone who suffers for his conviction, comes from this era. For the Greek word martyr means witness. Tradition has it that most of the Apostles were martyred for their faith.

During the first four centuries of her history, the Christian Church knew ten major Roman persecutions. The first important persecution took place in the first century under the Emperor Nero. The last persecution happened in the fourth century during the reign of Diocletian. At first these persecutions took place on a very local scale, and not many lives were involved. Later they became better organized.

Why were Christians persecuted anyway? Very much as in our own time, people were rather open minded and the Roman government tolerated, yes even encouraged a multitude of cultural religions. The main cause was the uncompromising character of early Christianity. It abhorred all forms of paganism, and it jealousy guarded the purity of the faith. Though Christians sought to minister to unbelievers, the service of worship, particularly the Lord's Supper took place only in the presence of confirmed Christians. The fact that the Lord's Supper was celebrated behind closed doors gave rise to evil rumours that Christians sacrificed infants and communed on their flesh and blood. Also, the circumstance that Christians called one another brother and sister was seen as another proof of immorality.

However, the main, reason for the Roman persecution was the Christian's refusal to take part in the rite of Emperor worship. The Roman Emperor was regarded as the head of the state and the unifying force of the empire. Indeed, the Emperor was considered to be a god. As a sign of good citizen ship, every inhabitant of the Roman empire was required to burn some incense before the Emperor's image once a year. Failure to do so was considered as disloyal, and an act of treason against the state.

Christians who were brought Antioch before a magistrate on a charge. of participating in an illegal religion often would have an opportunity to prove their innocence by. burning some incense before the Emperor's image. Some would do so and go free. Many refused.

Punishment for disobedience could be exile to an island, slave labour in the Roman mines or execution. Those who were Roman citizens were beheaded. Others were burned or thrown before wild animals.

At the height of the persecutions Christians as well as wild animals were imported to provide public entertainment in the Lord's man arenas. Would the Revelation of John have reflected on this city when it spoke of "Babylon the great, mother of harlots . . ., drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus?" (17 : 5, 6).

One of the most famous martyrs, living at the end of the first and the beginning of the second Christian century was Ignatius of Antioch. This prominent Christian was considered to have one of the finest minds of his time. Ignatius was a convert of paganism. Intensely loyal to Christ he sought to overwhelm the enemies of the faith with argument. Thus he began the powerful dynasty of post-apostolic Church fathers who gave the Church a voice in her combat with paganism.

Ignatius was probably the third bishop of Antioch in Syria. Paul and Barnabas had laboured faithfully to build a strong church in It was a time that required strong leaders in the de fence against the pagan pressures from the outside and the recur ring heresies inside the Church. No wonder that at a very early time in Church history the local bishop received great authority. This becomes clear from Ignatius' writings, which show us that the man was very courteous and al ways grateful for the help which he received from his fellow Christians. Nevertheless, he was also very much aware of the authority. of his office. Probably in reaction against individualistic heretic reasoning within the Church he insisted on absolute obedience to the guidance of the bishop, his presbyters (elders, and deacons). He declared the celebration of the Lord's Supper to be invalid unless administered by the bishop or a presbyter delegated by him. Indeed Ignatius went as far as to say that the bishop was God's representative and the presbyters God's Sanhedrin.

Ignatius' close relationship to Christ becomes apparent through his writings. No wonder that he declares that to be a Christian is to have a living experience of the presence of the Lord "as if nailed to His cross". No where will the believer find as close a relationship with the Lord as in the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Ignatius was the first one to coin the term "Catholic Church". In his letter to the congregation of Smyrna he writes "Where Jesus is, !here is the Catholic Church". The real presence of Jesus in the believer's existence is a recurrent theme in Ignatius' letters. It is the Lord's presence which turned Ignatius' trip to Rome into a relaxed journey. After he was condemned in Antioch he was taken to Rome to be devoured by animals. To most people the long journey would have been unbearable as the horrible end would come closer day by day. Not so Ignatius, for to him death would be an instant liberation to union with God and Christ. As he traveled to his destiny he wrote seven letters which testify to his faith.

It seems that his death could have been averted through the mediation of powerful Christians in Rome. In his letter to the Roman Church he begged them not to take away his martyrdom. Thus he wrote "I die willingly for God, if only you will not hinder me; so I beseech you, do not show me any unseasonable kindness; let it so be that I become food of beasts through whom I may participate in God. I am God's bread, and I will be torn by the teeth of animals in order that I may be found pure bread of Christ."

Through the ages Ignatius' extraordinary desire to give his life as a witness for Christ has been a model to thousands of Christians as they needed to decide whether to worship the dictates of a pagan society or to be loyal to their Lord.

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