Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated as He was hated, and that they would be persecuted. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death by an angry mob. James, the brother of the apostle John was beheaded, and the Lord’s brother was thrown off a high building, and when the fall didn’t kill him, was beaten to death.
In the year 64, Nero falsely accused Christians of setting fire to Rome. The Roman historian Tacitus records that hundreds were arrested, some torn to death by dogs, others crucified, and still others covered in tar, tied to poles and set on fire to illuminate Nero’s garden for a party.
In this sixth lecture on Church history we examine the first persecutions and the martyrdom of Polycarp, a man in his late 80s, and a young woman from a wealthy family called Vibia Perpetua. Their stories remind us of the cost of being a disciple of Christ, a cost which is paid every day in various countries around the world.
00:01 Introduction
00:29 Initial persecution by the Jews.
01:14 Understanding the Roman mindset.
03:55 64 AD. Persecution under Nero.
04:12 The testimony of Tacitus.
05:08 112 AD Pliny to Trajan: General persecution.
08:18 Martyrdom of Polycarp (160 AD)
15:27 Martyrdom of Vibia Perpetua (202).
20:41 Concluding remarks.
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated as He was hated, and that they would be persecuted. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death by an angry mob. James, the brother of the apostle John was beheaded, and the Lord’s brother was thrown off a high building, and when the fall didn’t kill him, was beaten to death.
In the year 64, Nero falsely accused Christians of setting fire to Rome. The Roman historian Tacitus records that hundreds were arrested, some torn to death by dogs, others crucified, and still others covered in tar, tied to poles and set on fire to illuminate Nero’s garden for a party.
In this sixth lecture on Church history we examine the first persecutions and the martyrdom of Polycarp, a man in his late 80s, and a young woman from a wealthy family called Vibia Perpetua. Their stories remind us of the cost of being a disciple of Christ, a cost which is paid every day in various countries around the world.
00:01 Introduction
00:29 Initial persecution by the Jews.
01:14 Understanding the Roman mindset.
03:55 64 AD. Persecution under Nero.
04:12 The testimony of Tacitus.
05:08 112 AD Pliny to Trajan: General persecution.
08:18 Martyrdom of Polycarp (160 AD)
15:27 Martyrdom of Vibia Perpetua (202).
20:41 Concluding remarks.
