ìThey were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the
world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.î
Hebrews 11:37-38
The most notorious and infamous place of persecution of Christians is Rome
itself! History shows that persecution of the Christian church began when the
representatives of the Roman government beheaded John the Baptist;
ìAnd [King Herod] sent, and beheaded John in the prison.î
Matthew 14:10
Then they crucified the Lord Jesus Christ.ìPilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is
called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucifiedÖ Then
the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and
gathered unto him the whole band of soldiersÖAnd they crucified
him.î Matthew 27:22; 27; 35
It was the Emperor Nero that killed the Apostle Paul and scores of faithful
Christians.
ìAccording to ancient records [Paul] was then beheaded at the
command of Nero, outside of Rome, on the road that leads to
OstiaÖwhere the Romans used to have their place of
execution, in the last year of Nero, or about AD 69.î 11The truth is that the vehemence against True Christianity began in Rome
and remains there still!
By all estimations, the number of people murdered by popes, priests, monks and
the Holy Roman Catholic Church is approximately 60 million souls!
All of these precious saints mentioned were faithful followers of Christ. They
believed and were steadfast to Jesus and the Scriptures, instead of the traditions
of men. For their loyalty and faithfulness to the One True God, they were
summarily executed in ìthe Name of Godî by Papal decree!
Thus fulfilling what Jesus had spoken many years earlier.