Persecution Throughout History

Persecution of Christians

• Early Christians were persecuted by the Jews and the Roman Empire.
• Christian missionaries and neophytes were also persecuted and martyred for their faith.
• During the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, there was warfare and communal violence between Catholic and Protestant factions.
• In the second millennium, the Church faced persecution in Japan and China, including the martyrdom of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and St. Pedro Calungsod.
• In the third millennium, Christians have been persecuted by radical Muslims, such as Fr. Roel Gallardo, CMF.

The Church's Response to Persecution

• The Church continues to exist and grow despite persecution, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies the Church, carrying on Christ's saving work and instilling His mission in the hearts of all Christians.

The Early Church

• The first Christians shared a common culture and met in their homes to share memories of Jesus and break bread together.
• They worked tirelessly to spread the faith, and their efforts bore great fruit.

The Spread of the Church

• The Church has spread throughout the world through the Holy Spirit and the missionary zeal of its followers.
• Jesus gave His Apostles the mandate to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
• The Apostles were transformed and given the ability to bear witness to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Paul of Tarsus: A Significant Contributor to the Spread of the Church

• Paul was responsible for bringing Christianity to the Gentiles.
• He established different early Christian communities in Asia Minor during his three missionary journeys.
• Paul is called the "Apostle to the Gentiles".
• He contributed greatly to the spread of Christianity by freeing it from its Jewish practices and traditions, bringing the Christian Faith to the Gentiles, and writing thirteen letters to the communities he formed.

Persecutions and Challenges Faced by Paul during his Missionary Journeys

• Paul was persecuted and challenged in all of his missionary journeys.
• He was beaten, stoned, and put in prison.
• Paul faced dangers from drowning, robbers, his own race, Gentiles, in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, and among false brothers.
• He was persecuted by Jews who stirred the crowd and excited them when Paul was preaching.

The Church as a Welcoming Community

• The Church is a community that opens its doors to all.
• Each person can feel at home in the Church, while keeping one's culture and traditions, provided these are not contrary to the Gospel.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church

• The Holy Spirit vivifies and nourishes the Church in its life of grace through the sacraments and charismatic gifts.
• The Holy Spirit unifies the members of the Church in Christ and moves the Church to its mission of continuing the liberating ministry of Christ.
• The Holy Spirit enables the faithful to know, understand, and accept the teaching of Jesus and His mystery.

The Missionary Nature of the Church

• The Church is missionary by nature, having its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• All Christians are called to be missionaries, to be apostles, and to proclaim Christ.
• Mission work is not only for the priests, nuns, and those who are sent to the foreign mission.
• Each of us, without exception, is called to be a missionary wherever we are.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Mission Work

• The Holy Spirit acts in every missionary, allowing each person to be seized and led by Him.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to find the words to utter and allows the heart of the hearer to be open and receive the Good News of salvation.