You are holding fast to My name and have not denied My faith even in the days of Antipas, My faithful martyr who was put to death among you, where Satan lives. Rev. 2:13.
The book of Revelation reports the execution of a Christian named Antipas. His name has an interesting meaning: "against everyone." It fits in well with the typical Gentile accusation against Christians that they were "haters of the human race." The people of the Roman Empire applied it to Christians because they refused to participate in various aspects of the civil religion expected of all good Roman citizens. At the very least, many considered Christians as antisocial and regarded their presence as bad luck for any community.
While Scripture does not give any details, it is clear that Antipas died a martyr to his faith. "You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives" (Rev. 2:13, NIV). Pergamum was one of the sites where the Roman governor held court and made judicial decisions. It is possible that early Christians would see in the "sharp, two-edged sword" of Christ (verses 12, 16) a contrast to the governor's power over the "sword," the death sentence. If so, the Roman governor probably executed Antipas for being a Christian.
The procedure in Antipas' case may have been that described by the governor Pliny some 15 years later in a letter to the emperor Trajan:
"I have asked the accused whether they were Christians. If they confessed, I asked a second and a third time, threatening penalty. Those who persisted I ordered to be executed, for I did not doubt that, whatever it was they professed, they deserved to be punished for their inflexible obstinacy....I dismissed those who said they were not or never had been Christians, and who in my presence supplicated the gods and placed wine and incense before your [Trajan's] image, and especially cursed Christ, which I hear no true Christian will do."
Trajan responded that the authorities should not seek Christians out or try them on the basis of anonymous accusations. If openly brought to the governor's attention, however, officials should handle them as Pliny had described. Probably a hostile neighbor, either Jew or Gentile, accused Antipas to the governor. Imagine living in a place where you never knew which neighbor might suddenly report your faith to the authorities! If it could happen to Antipas, it could happen to any Christian.
Lord, I am grateful for the relative safety in which I live today. Give me the wisdom and strength to serve You well when times are good.
The book of Revelation reports the execution of a Christian named Antipas. His name has an interesting meaning: "against everyone." It fits in well with the typical Gentile accusation against Christians that they were "haters of the human race." The people of the Roman Empire applied it to Christians because they refused to participate in various aspects of the civil religion expected of all good Roman citizens. At the very least, many considered Christians as antisocial and regarded their presence as bad luck for any community.
While Scripture does not give any details, it is clear that Antipas died a martyr to his faith. "You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives" (Rev. 2:13, NIV). Pergamum was one of the sites where the Roman governor held court and made judicial decisions. It is possible that early Christians would see in the "sharp, two-edged sword" of Christ (verses 12, 16) a contrast to the governor's power over the "sword," the death sentence. If so, the Roman governor probably executed Antipas for being a Christian.
The procedure in Antipas' case may have been that described by the governor Pliny some 15 years later in a letter to the emperor Trajan:
"I have asked the accused whether they were Christians. If they confessed, I asked a second and a third time, threatening penalty. Those who persisted I ordered to be executed, for I did not doubt that, whatever it was they professed, they deserved to be punished for their inflexible obstinacy....I dismissed those who said they were not or never had been Christians, and who in my presence supplicated the gods and placed wine and incense before your [Trajan's] image, and especially cursed Christ, which I hear no true Christian will do."
Trajan responded that the authorities should not seek Christians out or try them on the basis of anonymous accusations. If openly brought to the governor's attention, however, officials should handle them as Pliny had described. Probably a hostile neighbor, either Jew or Gentile, accused Antipas to the governor. Imagine living in a place where you never knew which neighbor might suddenly report your faith to the authorities! If it could happen to Antipas, it could happen to any Christian.
Lord, I am grateful for the relative safety in which I live today. Give me the wisdom and strength to serve You well when times are good.
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