Re: The Early Christians: In Their Own Words

Jesus had foretold that the drinking of his cup would mean baptism in this 
bloodbath. Repeatedly the church gathered around the martyrs as for a 
Lord’s Supper celebrated in blood. Every time, the repulsive spectacle of 
execution became the solemn victory of Christ over Satan’s rule, the 
certainty of the Lord’s resurrection – that event which guaranteed for all

times the rule of the dying victor. To gather around the martyrs was the 
powerful culmination of early Christian meetings, despite the presence of 
the pagan populace. But Jesus, leader and fellow fighter, was present at 
every peaceful meeting, however small. Often at such meetings, the radiant

cross and the throngs of people watching the execution of Jesus were all 
but visible. The voices raised at Christ’s crucifixion and the shouts of 
his friends and enemies rang out from Golgotha.