“All who once suffered for the name of the Lord are honourable before God, and of all these the sins were remitted, because they suffer for the Name of the Son of God” (Hermas, Parables, viii. 20).
“And ye who suffer for His Name ought to glorify God, because He deemed you worthy to bear His Name, that all your sores might be healed” (Hermas, Parables, viii. 28).
Justin Martyr, CIRCA A.D. 140–A.D. 160
The above dates roughly embrace the period of Justin’s literary activity. He was, however, born not later than circa A.D. 114, probably several years before. We know little of his early history. He was a diligent student and a thinker, and his works are amongst the most important that have come down to us from the first sixty years of the second century. Three writings of his are extant of the genuineness of which there is no doubt. Two Apologies and The Dialogue with the Jew Trypho. The first Apology and the Dialogue are works of considerable size. There are besides other writings which bear his name, but the authenticity of these is doubtful.
Originally a pagan, it seems that he became a Christian owing to the strong impression made upon him by the fearlessness which the disciples of the New Sect showed in the presence of death. He was also deeply persuaded of the grandeur and truth of the old Testament Scriptures. In the end, while the Emperor Marcus Antoninus was reigning, he received the Martyr’s crown he had for so many years passionately admired and coveted. This was about the year 165.
His three authentic writings contain numberless references to the persecutions endured by the followers of the Name, and countless allusions to the state of perpetual risk and danger in which his co-religionists lived and worked.
We will cite a very few of these, in which unmistakable details are given.
“If any one acknowledges that he is a Christian, you punish him on account of this confession” (Justin, Apol. i. 4).
The condemnation to death for the mere name of Christian is often dwelt upon by our writer (see such passages as are contained in 1 Apol. xi.).
“We may not lie or deceive our (official) interrogators; we willingly die confessing Christ” (Justin, Apol. i. 39).