Justin’s First Apology Before Rome
Justin wrote his most famous letter called First Apology. This was written specifically to the Roman Emperor, Antonius Pius, and his adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Versus. In it, he fearlessly defended Christians from the charge of subversion against Rome. “Christianity was not a threat to the empire,” Justin insisted, “and it should be treated as a legal religion.” Justin was adamant: “Christians should not be persecuted just for being Christians, and they also would not compromise their beliefs. Jesus’ followers,” he told the emperor, “had been transformed from children of darkness to children of light. Therefore, they would no longer worship pagan gods (demons in disguise) or live as sinners.” Justin concluded his First Apology, or defense, by eloquently and rationally requesting that the emperor no longer persecute the Christian believers living throughout his empire.
Persecution Under Marcus Aurelius
In AD 161, Antonius Pius died and Marcus Aurelius rose to the throne. Justin’s First Apology, claiming that Christians were not a threat to the Roman Empire, had little effect on the new emperor as Christian persecution flared up in many provinces. Aurelius was a philosopher himself, and he was not impressed with the new teachings of this small sect of religious “nobodies” in his kingdom. Justin continued to boldly proclaim the truths of Christ in Rome, but he was attacked at every turn by a pagan philosopher and rival who had the emperor’s ear.
Trial And Martyrdom In Rome
In AD 165, Justin was arrested and brought in chains to appear before the prefect (governor) of Rome, Junius Rusticus, along with six of Justin’s Christian pupils – five men and one woman named Charito. The Prefect Rusticus, from his lofty judgment seat, commanded, “Approach and sacrifice, all of you, to the gods.” Justin standing tall before his accusers, replied, “No one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety.” “If you do not obey, you will be tortured without mercy,” replied the prefect. “Do as you wish,” Justin and the martyrs standing beside him responded, “for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols.”
The prefect read the sentence aloud to them:
“Those who do not wish to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the emperor will be scourged and beheaded according to the laws.” The seven martyrs were then taken to the Roman dungeon for scourging and, afterward, still glorifying God, they were led to the Roman execution site to be beheaded.
Justin Martyr was dead but his famous writings survived for over eighteen hundred years. He was given the surname “Martyr” as an honour because his writings were such a great blessing to the infant church. God had deposited within him priceless treasures of biblical knowledge, and he sacrificed his life to share it. He had found a pearl of great price and gave all that he had to keep it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
Date: 6th January 2024
Martyr: Justin Martyr
Location: Rome
Source: God’s Generals: The Martyrs
Author: Roberts Liardon
Suffering Saturday 072
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