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Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Tertullian Part TWO of THREE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The second century has been called the age of apologies or defenses of the Christian religion. Paganism, which is but another name for heathenism or Polytheism, was the prevalent religion of the Roman Empire at that time, and Christians were severely persecuted by the emperors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Men pleading for religious liberty before their rulers, who felt it to be their duty to exterminate the Christian profession, were necessarily in earnest, and this earnestness and devotion to the sacred cause of Christ, inspired them with rhetorical pathos unknown in calmer times;” – Hassell’s Church History, page 370.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among these writers were Justin Martyr, and Tertullian. \u201cThe Apology\u201d of Tertullian is certainly one of the noblest literary productions of antiquity, and should be read by everyone, but is too lengthy for insertion here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we study the religious history of the second century of the Christian era, and learn of the zeal of those who then opposed error and published the true gospel of Jesus Christ, our heart is caused to glow with gratitude to God that he is still preserving a people who contend for the same faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presented by Thomas E. Kresal from: Elder John R. Daily, Primitive Monitor, 1897, pp. 181-184.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n