Judicial authority ranged from the absolute power of the emperor to the function of the senate and the imperial civil service [Governors, Procurators, prefects, magistrates, etc]. Judicial procedure in Rome generally included appearance before a magistrate, a trail, and the selection of a judge who would then render judgment on a case.
In the province, Roman law was administered by Roman officials. Pontius Pilate, for example, was the Roman governor involved in the trial of Jesus. The Gospel accounts of this episode give considerable insight into the judicial procedure of the Romans and how they related to local Jewish officials. - Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19 -
The apostle Paul's Roman citizenship granted him privileges as well as protection from Jewish and Roman fanaticism. - Acts 16:35-39, 22:22-29 - His imprisonment in Caesarea and defense before Felix, Festus, and king Agrippa, as well as his specific appeal to plead his case before Caesar - Acts 25:10-12 - are good examples of Roman civil and legal law.
Christianity began in Roman territory and expanded into additional areas controlled by Rome. Christians were expected to observe Roman law and not to get involved in any disorderly, suspicious, or treasonous activity. The Book of Acts shows that the early Christians were protected and acquitted by the Roman authorities. They recognized Christianity as a legal and valid religion with the right to exist. Saint Paul affirmed that he had not broken any Jewish, religious, or Roman law. - Acts 25:8 -
Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus, who became its first king. The little kingdom grew in size and importance, absorbing its immediate neighbors through the reign of seven kings, until the tyranny of Tarquinius Superbus drove the people to revolt and to take the government into their own hands. A republic was established, and Roman citizens had a voice in government affairs. During the period of the republic, Roman extended her borders throughout all of Italy and the known world.
In 63 B.C. Judea became formally subject to Rome and this was the case during the entire New Testament period.
The republic was subject to internal strife which eventually led to the decline of a people-oriented government. The emperor Octavian, who was also known as Augustus, became emperor in 27 B.C. He was still reigning at the time of Jesus' birth.
The religion that was native to Rome was basically primitive in nature. The Romans believed that impersonal spirits or supernatural powers inhabited such natural objects as trees, streams, and earth. They believed that these spirits affected one's personal life for good or evil. But the most striking feature of Roman religion was its ability to merge the best features of several religions. As the empire expanded, it imported and assimilated many religious ideas, and pagan gods from Greece and the Orient. Roman gods were fused and identified with the gods of the Greeks. Buildings, temples and monuments to these gods were erected. Astrological beliefs and magical practices flourished.
An "imperial ruler cult" developed in the first century B.C. when the Roman senate voted to deify Julius Caesar and to dedicate a temple to his honor. Among all the emperors, only Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Claudius were deified. This phenomenon apparently had more political than religious meaning.
Throughout the entire New Testament period, various emperors ruled over the Roman Empire. During the reign of Augustus, Jesus Christ was born. His crucifixion occurred during the reign of the succeeding emperor Tiberius. The martyrdom of apostle James, took place in the reign of the emperor Claudius. - Acts 11:28, 12:1-2 - It was to the emperor Nero that Saint Paul appealed. - Acts 25:11 - The destruction of Jerusalem prophesied by Jesus Christ was accomplished in the year A.D. 70 by Titus, who later became emperor. Thus, all of the New Testament phenomenon or story unfolded under the reign of Roman emperors.
As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said, 'If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace!' But, alas!, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you - and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!' - Luke 19:41-44 - Matt. 24 - Mark 13 -
The Roman Empire reached the height of its power from about A.D. 100 to 175. By the end of the century, however, the Roman and their power had begun to decline, because of the vast expanse of its territory, the Empire grew increasingly difficult to administer. High taxation and political infighting also took their toll. Morally, Rome was also a sick society; its life of sin and debauchery served to hasten its collapse from within, even as barbaric tribes moved in to challenge the Romans; military rule. By A.D. 450 the Roman Empire was only a skeleton of its former self, reduced to a third-rate power among the nations of the ancient world.
Contact between Rome and Jews took place when some of the Jews were scattered to various parts of the Mediterranean world and when Rome moved into Palestine as part of its eastern expansion. Technically, however, contact between the Romans and the Jews began in 63 B.C. when Pompey marched into the land of Palestine. From the time of the Captivity in Babylon - or perhaps even earlier - many Jews made their homes outside Palestine. While some of them did this for economic reasons; others had been deported as prisoners of war to such places as Assyria and Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah indicated that some Jews had settled in Egypt during his time. - Jer. 44:1 -
Under Rome rule the Jews were given a special status with certain legal rights. They were permitted to practice their own religion and to build their synagogues. They also were exempt from military service and were not required to appear in court on the Sabbath. Relationship between the Jews and the Romans were mostly positive. But a few major disturbances did occur. The emperor Caligula alienated the Jews by opposing their belief in one God and forcibly erecting a statue of himself in their synagogues. In A.D. 19, the emperor Tiberius expelled some Jews from Italy. This edict was renewed under Claudius in A.D. 49. - Acts 18:2 - Apparently this edict did not last long, because Jews were living in Rome when apostle Paul arrived there about A.D. 62.
The situation of the Jews varied considerably under the different Roman rulers. Basically, the Romans treated the Jews fairly. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple in 20 B.C. and Herod Agrippa sought Jewish favor by persecuting the Christians. Archelaus, on the other hand, was a cruel and tyrannical ruler who massacred many Jews.
It was about this time that king Herod started persecuting certain members of the Church. He beheaded James the brother of John, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he decided to arrest Peter as well. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread, and he put Peter in prison, assigning four squads of four soldiers each to guard him in turns. Herod meant to try Peter in public after the end of Passover week. All the time Peter was under guard the Church prayed to God for him unremittingly....... It was only then that Peter came to himself. 'Now I know it is all true' he said, 'The Lord really did send his angel and had saved me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were so certain would happen to me.'........ Herod put out an unsuccessful search for him; he had the guards questioned, and before leaving Judaea to take up residence in Caesarea he gave orders for their execution. - Acts 12:1-19 - Matt. 2:22-23 -
Resentful of the presence of these foreign oppressors, the Jews refused to recognize anyone but God as sovereign. Revolutionary activities of Jews nationalists such as Zealots increased and threatened the peace in Palestine. By A.D. 66, Rome was forced to subdue a Jewish revolt in Judea. And in A.D. 70, Titus, a Roman general who later became emperor, marched on the city of Jerusalem to destroy Jewish resistance. Many Jews lost their lives by crucifixion and other violent means. A small group of freedom fighters held out at Masada, but they took their own lives just before the Roman soldiers broke into their fortress.
The destruction of Jerusalem did not wipe out the Jewish state or religion. In some ways, it made the Jews more determined to resist. During the next 60 years Rome and the Jews clashed on a number of occasions. From A.D. 132-135 a second rebellion was led by a self-proclaimed messiah, and emperor at the time, issued an edict which virtually destroyed Judaism. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman colony, complete with a pagan Roman temple, erected on the site of the Jewish Temple. The province of Judea was replaced by Syria Palestine. In this rebellion, some 500,000 Jews were killed and many others were sold into slavery. Those who survived were scattered beyond this new province.
The birth and development of Christianity took place within the borders of the Roman Empire. The New Testament contains references to Romans who were ruling at this time. Among them was Caesar Augustus - Luke 2:1 - Quirinius - Luke 2:2 - Tiberius Caesar - Luke 3:1, 20:22 - Other minor officials ruled on behalf of Rome, particularly those of the Herodian dynasty.
The Book of Acts shows how Christianity spread throughout Roman Empire. Under apostle Paul, the great missionary to the Gentiles, the Gospel may have been preached and proclaimed as far west as Spain. - Rom. 15:28 - Christian Church existed in Rome as early as A.D. 50 - Acts 18:2-3 - By the time Saint Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans [A.D. 58] a large Christian community existed in the imperial city.
Paul's appearance in Rome was ironic because he came as a prisoner and not as a missionary. Here he was held in confinement awaiting a trail that apparently never took place. According to tradition, Paul lost his life under Nero's persecution about A.D. 64.
If I am guilty of committing any capital crime. I do not ask to be spared the death penalty. But if there is no substance in the accusations these persons bring against me, no one has a right to surrender me to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus conferred with his advisers and replied, 'You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.' - Acts 25:11-12 - Acts 28:11-31 -
In its early stages, Christianity was regarded by Rome as a sect of Judaism. This is why it was ignored during its early years. On several occasions, Roman authorities viewed conflicts between Jews and Christians as an internal matter, not worthy of their attention. - Acts 18:12-17 - When Christians were accused by the Jews of breaking the law, they were acquitted. - Acts 16:35-39 - Rome even protected Christians from Jewish fanatics and assured apostle Paul the right of a proper trial. - Acts 19:28-41, 22:20-30, 23:23-24, 23:26, 28:31 - Most Christians had a positive and respectful attitude toward Roman authority.
The first known persecution of Christians by the Roman authorities took place under Nero. But this was an isolated case and not a general policy. Many Christians, including apostle Paul, lost their lives at this time. Tacitus, a Roman historian, refers to vast multitudes of Christians who were arrested, tortured, crucified, and burned. Hardship came to Christians in parts of Asia while Domitian was emperor. Later, under Trajan, they were further problem, especially in Bithynia where Pliny was governor (A.D. 112) Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was martyred during this persecution. Rome may have feared that Christians could become a political threat because they would not acknowledge Caesar as lord.
Marcus Aurelius took official action against Christianity. As emperor, he was responsible for the death of Justin Martyr (A.D. 165) Celcius (A.D. 249-251) launched attack against Christians and, like Nero, used them as scapegoats for his own failures. While under Diocletian intense persecution of the Church took place for three years (A.D. 303-305) Many Churches were destroyed and Christians were martyred. With the coming of Constantine, however, this policy of persecution was reversed. His Edict of Milan in A.D. 313 made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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