PERPETUA AND FELICITY

Anyone who reads the book of Acts or secular accounts of the early church will notice that the early church was faced with a great deal of persecution. However, with an unwavering faith in Christ as the risen Son of God, early Christians persevered under the most grueling agonies imaginable. Christianity outlasted the fires of persecution, and Christians became even stronger in the midst of these trials. From the depths of history endure many great accounts of Christian faithfulness in the face of these tribulations, and perhaps no account is more moving than that of Perpetua and Felicity.

Tertullian (A.D. 155-223) was a well-known defender of Christianity, and he is believed to be the author of Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity. In A.D. 201, the Roman Emperor Severus forbade conversion to Christianity. In spite of this decree from the most powerful dictator on the face of the earth, Christians continued in their faithfulness and evangelistic efforts, knowing that they “ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Tertullian recorded that at this time there was a young lady named Perpetua, a twenty-two year old mother of a small child. She had been imprisoned for her faith in Christ, and she refused to renounce Christianity, despite the desperate pleading of her father.

At Perpetua’s trial, her father brought in her child and pled with Perpetua to renounce Christ and live. The judge agreed with the father and stated, “Spare thy father’s gray hairs; spare the tender age of thy child. Sacrifice for the welfare of the emperor.” She replied with conviction, “I cannot do that.” The judge then asked, “Are you a Christian?” and she answered, “I am a Christian.” She was then immediately condemned to be killed by beasts.

There was another young married woman named Felicity who had been imprisoned because of her faith, and she was about to have a baby. She also stood up courageously under trial, knowing assuredly that no penalty of death could outweigh the blessings waiting in heaven (Revelation 2:10). Felicity and three young Christian men were cast into the Roman arena together to die agonizingly before a crowd of bloodthirsty spectators.

These two young women are shining examples of faith unwavering. What great courage and conviction is exemplified by their true dedication to God in the face of extremely horrible punishment! Examples such as these and those found in the Holy Scriptures should encourage us to overcome any obstacle which we may face, and they should help us to remember just how important Christ should be to us!

Jason Hilburn