Persecution and Ecclesiastical Development

Steve Gregg discusses the development of the Christian Church and the reasons for the persecution faced by early Christians. He notes that the origins of some ideas associated with Roman Catholicism did not originate until after the death of the apostles, when the church became more organized. Christians were persecuted under the Roman Empire for various reasons, including being used as scapegoats, but this ultimately strengthened the faith of believers. The role of bishops and elders in the early church is also explored, with the emergence of a monarchial bishop representing a shift towards a more organized and hierarchical structure.