Jesus Christ said to his apostles “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28:19) Naturally, the apostles took the mission seriously, going all over the Mediterranean and Fertile Crescent proclaiming the message of Jesus, the Son of God. However, the Jewish Officials, (the same ones who worked for Jesus’ execution) feared a rising movement that came out of the man they executed. Additionally, a Roman Government built on fear, law, and order desired nothing more than a radical movement based on a divine human to be eradicated quickly and efficiently. Because of this, they enacted cold and brutal ways to deal with the “followers of the way”. Whether it was lashes, crucifixions, or stonings, both the Jewish and Roman officials hoped these punishments would “take care” of this radical movement of rogue individuals. However, Jesus’ death served as a source of inspiration for the apostles and early followers. Rather than scale back their evangelistic efforts after punishment, they “left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41). The followers of the way did the exact opposite of what the Roman and Jewish officials had hoped; it exploded with motivated followers ready to die for their newfound religion. Eventually, a majority of the new followers believed that the only way to attain true salvation was to die for one’s faith (check on the source in Chidester, Origin) However, the institutionalization of Christianity by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the year 314 created problem for the followers of the way: They had neither the means nor a government willing to kill them f…
…r Romero, that bravery and faith transcends all time.
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Works Cited
Chidester, David. Christianity: A Global History. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000. 86-87. Print.
Cohen, Shaye. “Legitimization Under Constantine.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Jackson, Wayne. “Nero Caesar and the Christian Faith.” Christian Courier. Christian Courier, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
King, Martin L. “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” Letter to Fellow Clergymen. 16 Apr. 1963. MS. Birmingham, Alabama.
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
“Matthew 28:19-20.” Common English Bible: A Fresh Translation to Touch the Heart and Mind. Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011. N. pag. Print.
“Right to Truth, Human Rights, Law, Violation, Justice, Protection of Witnesses, Serious Act of Violence, Archbishop Romero.” UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
