Persecution in the First Centuries
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that Christians should make concessions, that all might unite on the
platform of belief in Christ.
Now the church was in fearful peril. Prison, torture, fire, and sword
were blessings in comparison with this. Some of the Christians stood
firm, declaring that they could make no compromise. Others were in
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favor of yielding or modifying some features of their faith and uniting
with those who had accepted a part of Christianity, urging that this
might be the means of their full conversion. That was a time of deep
anguish to the faithful followers of Christ. Under a cloak of pretended
Christianity, Satan was insinuating himself into the church, to corrupt
their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth.
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard,
and a union was formed between Christianity and paganism. Although
the worshipers of idols professed to be converted, and united with the
church, they still clung to their idolatry, only changing the objects of
their worship to images of Jesus, and even of Mary and the saints.
The foul leaven of idolatry, thus brought into the church, continued its
baleful work. Unsound doctrines, superstitious rites, and idolatrous
ceremonies were incorporated into her faith and worship. As the
followers of Christ united with idolaters, the Christian religion became
corrupted, and the church lost her purity and power. There were
some, however, who were not misled by these delusions. They still
maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and worshiped God
alone.
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to
be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour’s life and
earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the
other class shun the plain, practical truths which expose their errors.
Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the
true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully
indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected
with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them
the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an
opportunity to see their errors and correct them. Among the twelve
apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted, not because of his defects
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of character, but notwithstanding them. He was connected with the
disciples, that, through the instruction and example of Christ, he might
learn what constitutes Christian character, and thus be led to see his