History of Church Part 4 - The 3rd century (200 AD to 300 AD)

After six popes were killed in last century for following Christian faith and groups breaking out of one Holy Roman Catholic Church, the conviction of believing in Jesus Christ is still alive, even though 200 years has passed when Jesus Christ left earth.

Now the story continues ..

52. Callixtus becomes Pope. He is killed for his Christian faith.

53. Hippolytus becomes Pope.

54. Urban 1 becomes Pope

55. Pontian becomes Pope

56. Anterus becomes Pope

57. Christianity is gaining relevance in Roman empire as there is less persecution and peace prevails. It strengthens the efforts of spreading the good news that God's people are saved for whosoever believed in Jesus is saved to be with God forever.

58. The Church takes time to understand if devil can be saved, can souls be reincarnated, should we take stories in Bible as literally true or they are just guiding us to the truth.

59. Fabian becomes Pope.

60. After 49 years of peace in the empire, suddenly there is a new head of the state named Emperor Decius who felt threatened by how the number of Christians are growing in his state. He started persecuting Christians if they did not worship his gods. Some unknown number of Christians gave up their faith and worshipped the unknown gods, just so that can earn favours from the state and do not suffer at the hands of the ruling government.

61. Cornelius becomes pope. He is killed for his Christian faith

62. Novatian becomes Pope.

63. The persecution ended in two years when the head of the state died but the people who remained true to their Christian faith during these tuff times were shocked how can some name-sake Christians leave their Christian faith to worship other gods. Novatian group splits from the Church stating that they cannot be part of the church which had such unfaithful people.

64. Lucius becomes Pope

65. The Church was confused with "what to do with people who gave up their faith during persecution times by head of state". They discuss and come up with two founding conclusions.

66. The Church concludes that church is for the sinners too and not alone for who are strong in their faith.

67. The Church also creatively concludes that ordained minister can lead or teach even though he is weak, unworthy, unholy.

68. Sinners including those who left church are voluntarily welcomed back into Catholic church, the one Holy Church through Christ. An unholy priest can still preach the Holy Christ.

69. Stephen becomes Pope. He is killed for his Christian faith.

70. Sixtus becomes Pope. He is killed for his Christian faith.

71. Dionysius becomes Pope

72. Felix becomes Pope

73. Eutychian becomes Pope

74. By the end of century, the head of state Diocletian attends a future-telling Roman gods ceremony of animal sacrifices but they are not able to predict anything and they blame the Christians. Gallerius who is a partner of Diocletian team, plays politics of persecution of minorities to his own advantage. The military of the state is used by the emperor to kill all groups including Christians, who do not follow the Roman gods. The military is in two minds about the unethical decision of the head of the state but those who do not follow orders also will be killed.

75. Caius becomes the first Pope from Croatia. He is killed for his Christian faith

76. Marcellinus becomes Pope

77. Five popes were killed in this century for their Christian faith.

78. The population of Christians has risen to 50 lakhs. They represent 10% of the Roman empire population now.

What happens to the Christians with suddenly surmounting death over their heads, under the hands of Emperor Diocletian who is using the state military to kill citizens?

to be continued ..