Persecution of the "Jews for Jesus":
Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, beginning in the 1st century AD and ending in the 4th century. Early Christians were persecuted at the hands of both Jews, from whose religion Christianity arose, and the people and ruling officials of the Roman Empire.

The Jewish high council had limited authority to punish Christians being subject to Rome. They resorted to civil persecution which forced many disciples to flee Palestine. However, one such incident did lead to the death of a disciple by stoning as recorded in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Those disciples who fled Palestine spread the "Good News" message wherever they went throughout the empire, converting many to Christianity.

You may wonder what is the Good News? Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the son of God and by his sacrifice had the power of life. "The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." This is what all Christians hold as the anchor of their faith. Unbelievers reject him saying he was either a crazy person or a power-seeking charlatan. The Greeks and Romans who were preached this message already believed in many gods and believed these gods had children who also were worshiped as gods and goddesses. Being told, then, that Jesus is the son of God was not a foreign idea for them.

The Greeks and Romans who rejected this message viewed Christianity as an alien cult. They could not accept the idea that a god would willingly die by crucifixion. So Christians during this time were severely punished if they refused the pagan practices such as making sacrifices to deified emperors or their gods. By their continual refusal they were imprisoned and often executed in the gladiatorial arena.

Roman Empire Converted to Christianity:
The Emperor Constantine ruled the Roman empire from AD 306 to 337. It is claimed he converted to Christianity after seeing a vision of a cross in the sky along with the words "In this sign, you shall conquer". He issued The Edict of Milan in 313 AD which granted religious freedom to Christians and other religions. 10 years later Christianity had become the state religion of the Roman Empire.

Some scholars allege that his main objective was to gain unanimous approval and submission to his authority from all classes, and therefore he chose Christianity to conduct his political propaganda. He believed that it was the most appropriate religion that could fit with the imperial cult. Regardless, under the Constantinian dynasty Christianity expanded throughout the empire, launching the era of the state church of the Roman Empire.

The Church of Rome:
The Church of Rome claims that it is the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ. It claims that the Bishops of Rome, also known as the Pope, are the successors of Saint Peter, one of the original twelve disciples. The Church of Rome has maintained a list of all the men who have held the title of Bishop of Rome.

Until the decree of emperor Constantine in 313 AD, which made Christianity the official religion of the empire, many of these earlier bishops were imprisoned or executed and are now declared to be martyrs of the church. So, the church grew in power and influence after the conversion of the empire to Christianity and maintained this dominance until the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.

The Protestant Reformation:
The Protestant Reformation was a widespread theological revolt in Europe against the abuses and totalitarian control of the Roman Catholic Church. It was a religious and political movement that challenged the Catholic Church's authority and the Papacy resulting eventually in the creation of Protestantism, a branch of Christianity. A short list of Protestant denominations:

1. Lutheran - Named for Martin Luther, an early German reformer.
2. Anglican - The official church of England.
3. Episcopal - An offshoot of the Anglican church.
4. Methodist - Founded by John Wesley, another early reformer.
5. Baptist - Believe baptism is by immersion in water not by sprinkling.
6. Evangelical - They preach a person must be "born again" by the Holy Spirit.

The Inquisition - How the Persecuted Became the Persecutors:
The Inquisition was an agency established in 1542 as a Catholic judicial procedure where the judges could initiate, investigate and try cases in their jurisdiction. It became the name for various tribunals whose aim was to combat the Protestant movement, which the Church of Rome defined as heresy, apostasy, blasphemy, and other dangers. Reformers convicted of unrepentant heresy were handed over to the secular courts and many of these were sentenced to death by 'burning at the stake'. They would be tied to a wooden post above a pile of wood which was then set on fire.
Protestant Martyrs of the Reformation