Persecution in the Early Church

            Meaning of persecution 

  Persecution is the act treating people in a cruel and unfair manner especially because of their religion, race or political beliefs.

  To be persecuted as a Christian means to suffer discrimination or violence because of your Christian faith.

           The Arrest Of Peter and John

 After the Holy Spirit had descended upon the disciples, they preach the gospel with power and authority. They perfomed miracles in the name of Jesus Christ. One of the miraclle was the healing of the lame man at the beautiful gateof the temple. When Peter and John got to the temple to pray, the lame gaze at themin expectation to recieved alms.But Peter looked at him back and said, “silva and gold i have not, but what i have i give you. In the name oof Jesus stand up and walk”. peter then grap the man and pull him up. immediately the man got up limped and began to walk. 

  The people who witnessed this miracle gathered together around Peter and John. Peter quickly use the oppoturnity to preach to them in the name of Jesus Christ. The authority got angry at the Apostles preaching because they were preaching about the resurrection of Jesus. This made the leaders to arrest Peter and John and put them in prison. many people who recieved the message became christian converts and their number increased to five thousand. Then the following day, they were brought into the presence of the elders for trial. They warned the apostles not to preach in the name of Jesus Christ again. but Peter replied to them whether it is right to listen to man instead of God.

             Reason for the Arrest of Peter and John

1. Teaching without permission from the high priest

2.  Teaching in the name of Jesus

3.  They did not believe in the resurrection