Shame on the Church!

Pliny the Younger (c. 62 - c.113 AD) was the Roman Governor of Bithynia (present-day northwestern Turkey). Around 111 or 112 AD, he wrote the following letter to Emperor Trajan of Rome asking for advice on how to deal with Christians. 

It is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable -- in all these points I am greatly doubtful. 

 In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither. 

 These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of the gods, and who finally cursed Christ -- none of which acts, it is into performing -- these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twenty-five years ago. They all worshipped your statue and the images of the gods, and cursed Christ. 

 They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food -- but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition. 

 I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it.

Consider what Peter wrote in (1Pe 4:12-19).


Notice some things Piny said in his letter:

First Paragraph

He wasn't sure if there should be any difference in punishment between the young and adults. 


He wasn't sure if the punishment fit the crime.  WHAT CRIME?!?!  Christianity?

Second Paragraph

Those who refused to renounce Christ were executed.  No specific crime, but the Christians expressed inflexibility the Roman cause and faithfulness to Christ.  Keep in mind that Tacitus writes that Christians were wrapped in skins of wild beasts and allowed to be killed by wild dogs.  They were also clothed in flammable material and used as lights in his garden or lights at his circus.

Third Paragraph

Anyone who denounced Christ and worshiped an idol God was set free!

Fourth Paragraph

Does this not sound like what we do on the Lord's Day?  We sing hymns to worship and take the Lord's Supper.

What Pliny calls, "depraved and excessive superstition" I call FAITH!

Fifth Paragraph

Again, what we know as faith is superstition to Pliny.

Notice what the goal was to do with Christianity.  To "cure" it.  

     In conclusion, I read what the early church endured for their faith and I compare that to the 21st century church and I am appalled.  We won't even miss a football game to worship God today.  We put off worship for work.  We put anything an everything before the Lord's Day!  In doing so, we still feel like God owes us something because we are there once a month or every other week.  That's OK though.  The "By-Laws" of our congregation says we are still a member as long as we come once a month!  SHAME ON THE CHURCH TODAY!  (Mt 16:24,25)  These verses are not suggestions.  Satan must only make God second in your life not last!  (Mt 22:37,38)

Have a red letter day!