Jesus was in his twenties when Gaius Plinius (Secundus, II or Jr.) was born in 23 AD in Como, northern Italy. His father, Gaius, was an Equities, a class of people just below the Roman senator class. The Equities or Equestrians owned land and typically served as leaders in the military.


The Gaius family descended from 4,500 Roman colonists placed in Como, Italy, to subdue Alp tribal warriors in 59 BC. Julius Caesar himself picked these families, and these families were fiercely loyal to Rome.


His father took his son Gaius to Rome to be educated by the most excellent writers and orators. In the early thirties, while Jesus was starting his ministry in Galilee, mobilizing a ragtag group of uneducated fishermen and others, Gaius was being educated at Rome, learning from the likes of Servilius Nonianus.


Gaius was in Rome when Jesus rose from the dead in 33 AD finishing his education. Thirteen years later, Gaius was in the Roman military, and they were conquering German lands. Entire villages were destroyed. Roman military mercy was to spare poor villagers' lives if they became slaves of the Roman empire. Millions took the deal. Many estimate that up to 40% of the Roman homeland were slaves. The slave traders swooped in after each Roman conquest. This action made the military leaders rich. Gaius became wealthy while serving in the military.


By the time of Nero(54AD), Gaius was in Rome again, but he went out of his way to focus his law and writing career on things that would not get the attention of the lunatic Nero. He gave himself to studying grammar during Nero's reign between 54-68AD. 


Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians in 64 AD. Everyone knew that Nero was insane, and the Christians had nothing to do with Rome's burning. Both the Apostle Paul and Peter were said to have been martyred at Nero's hands.

Likely, Gaius never met Peter or Paul.


After Nero's death by suicide in 68 AD, and after a time of unrest, the next Emperor Vespasian, a buddy from their military days, appointed Gaius to various government posts. He served as a governor in northern Africa. His last position was admiral for the Roman fleet at Misenum.


Aside from his government appointments, Gaius became passionate about encyclopedic knowledge. His grand opus was a book called "Natural History," published in 77 AD. This book was considered the Wikipedia of its day. He wrote about such things as nations, animals, and even plants remedies. If you wanted to know about gold mines, you could read how slaves worked them. For example, Gaius wrote,


By the light of lamps, long tunnels are cut into the mountains... The miners carry the ore out on their shoulders, each man forming part of a human chain working in the dark, only those at the end seeing the daylight... men may not see daylight for months on end. Natural History, Gold Mining by Slaves. (c. AD 77)

It was said that Gaius read, researched, and wrote continuously, sometimes falling asleep in mid-sentence only to wake up to read and write more. He reflected the best of Roman writing, remarkable for the first century.


Gaius was a remarkable Roman figure. He was a prosperous lawyer, military officer, a governor, a researcher, a writer, a grammarian, a friend to the Emporer, and an admiral.

Gaius never married, and no biological children are known. His sister Plinia married Lucius Caecilius Clio. Plinia bore a son named Gaius after her older brother. Her husband, Lucius Caecilius, died at a young age. Plinia, and her son came under the care of her older brother Gaius. 


Gaius treated his sister's son as his own. Gaius adopted young Gaius as his heir. Gaius made sure young Gaius, his namesake, was educated with the proper tutors with senior, Gaius the homeschooling headmaster. They had a special relationship. So close that history knows Gaius as Pliny, the Elder, and his adopted nephew, Gaius, as Pliny the Younger.


When Pliny the Elder served as an Admiral for the Roman Fleet in 79 AD at Misenum, Mount Vesuvius erupted. Pliny the Elder went on a rescue mission where he lost his life. The account of Mount Vesuvius's eruption has been passed down by Pliny the Younger, who, at age 18, chronicled the eruption and death of his uncle, Pliny the Elder.


Twenty-five years later, the Younger wrote down a detailed account of the eruption for historian Tacitus. The statement still stands today as a somewhat accurate depiction of the happenings of a volcanic eruption. In this remarkable account, Pliny the Younger made his uncle, Pliny the Elder, a hero who gave his life to rescue people caught in this national tragedy.


Pliny the Younger, like his uncle, excelled at writing. He also excelled at staying on the right side of Roman emperors. His life depended on it, and he was smart enough to know that. One emperor had an order on his desk to have the Younger executed. That order was not carried out because that Emporer happened to be assassinated before that order was completed.


Pliny the Younger inherited his uncle's estates and served the Roman emperors throughout his career, which spanned from 80 AD to 113 AD.


Assigned to Bithynia in Northern Turkey

In the early years of the second century, his last post before death found him as imperial governor in Bithynia, modern-day Turkey. Pliny the Younger was nearing his uncle's age when his uncle died at Vesuvius, and he was serving Emperor Trajan.

Many of Pliny the Younger's letters have survived. He asked for Emperor Trajan's governance advice. He reported stories he found interesting. He wrote a story about how a master was beaten and left for dead. The master was pretending to be dead, however. Piny wrote how the master got revenge on his slaves.


The Movement of Christianity

Trajan was persecuting and executing Christians as Nero had done. Between 110-113 AD, 80-some years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Pliny encountered Christians. Christianity was rapidly spreading. It was considered a new religious movement separate from Judaism. Christianity had spread to Bithynia, where Pliny the Youngers served as governor. 


Christianity was not well funded as it spread. Tens of thousands were becoming Christians, from every rank. The local leaders were made up primarily of non-paid ordained deacon ministers (diakonoi). Their national and regional leaders were growth-orientated "Visitors or Selectors" ordained as Episcopate or Bishop (epistopoi). (1 Timothy 3:1) The Greek word here comes from the verb "Episkeptomai," which means to inspect, select, go to see, or visit.

The first apostles, for instance, modeled this role when they selected and ordained the first deacon ministers (diakonoi) when more ministry roles needed to be filled at the beginning of the Christian movement in Acts 6:3,


Therefore select (Episkeptomai - Select) from among you, brothers, seven men of good report (Martupeo - Recommended), full of the Holy Spirit (Pneuma) and of wisdom (Experience, Gifted, Trained for Service), whom we may appoint (Kathistaymai - appoint or ordain) over this business.

The early apostles and disciples had a process where new ministers (diakonoi) were selected and ordained for ministry. This pattern continued.  The Apostle Paul was selected or “called” as we would say it, by Jesus himself on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. He was first ordained as a deacon minister (diakonos) after Barnabas trained him. Paul retells his ministry journey in Ephesians 3:7:


Whereof I was made a minister (Diakonos), according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (KJV)

Later, we find out that his role increased to an apostle in the office of Bishop (Epistopoi). He was sent out on “Christian Movement” journeys, often called missionary journeys, visiting one town after another. He appointed deacon ministers, some who would become movement leaders too, who would travel and select leaders from local believers and leaders to ordain as ministers (diakonoi) (Note: We will dive deeper into this subject later)

The Apostle Paul expanded the selection and ordination process. He appointed Titus to select "mature or older" leaders in Crete to serve the church in Titus 1:5:


For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (presbuteroi) in every city, as I had appointed thee...

The Greek word "presbuteroi" means mature or elders. Later in the Christian church, especially in Reformational denominations, this word becomes used the same way other denomination used the word Bishop.The Presbyterian denomination is named after this word.

The Apostle Paul modeled appointing women to the office of the deacon minister (diakonos). In Romans 16, the apostle sent Phoebe to carry the book of the Romans to Rome. As the letter carrier, she was also responsible for filling in the blanks when questions arose about what Paul meant by a certain subject.

He gave Phoebe standing as a mature ordained deacon minister in Romans 16:1,

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.  2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

After Paul died in 56 AD, new generations of reproducing Christian leaders, ministers, and Commissioned ministers (Elders or Bishops) continued to expand Christianity's movement. They visited areas to support the appointed deacon ministers. Some deacon ministers became movement network ministers who, in turn, would repeat this pattern. Christianity spread everywhere.

Most new ministers were volunteers trained and ordained as deacons ministers first. In Latin, the word deacon is translated as "minister" from the Latin word, "ministrae."

The Movement of Christianity Expands

All this reproducing of generations of Christian leaders in the Christian movement made its way to northern Turkey, where Bithynia is located. 

Pliny the Younger encountered Christians, and he writes a famous letter that survived. This was written to Emperor Traijan.  Here is the translated letter from Georgetown University.

Pliny to the Emperor Trajan

It is my practice, my lord, to refer to you all matters concerning which I am in doubt. For who can better give guidance to my hesitation or inform my ignorance? I have never participated in trials of Christians. I, therefore, do not know what offenses it is the practice to punish or investigate, and to what extent. And I have been not a little hesitant as to whether there should be any distinction on account of age or no difference between the very young and the more mature; whether a pardon is to be granted for repentance, or, if a man has once been a Christian, it does him no good to have ceased to be one; whether the name itself, even without offenses, or only the offenses associated with the name are to be punished.

Meanwhile, in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness, and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished. There were others possessed of the same folly; but because they were Roman citizens, I signed an order for them to be transferred to Rome.

Soon accusations spread, as usually happens, because of the proceedings going on, and several incidents occurred. An anonymous document was published containing the names of many persons. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods and cursed Christ.

They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food--but ordinary and innocent food. Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations.

Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called ministers. But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition. I, therefore, postponed the investigation and hastened to consult you. For the matter seemed to me to warrant consulting you, especially because of the number involved. For many persons of every age, every rank, and also of both sexes are and will be endangered. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms.

But it seems possible to check and cure it. It is certainly quite clear that the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be frequented, that the established religious rites, long neglected, are being resumed, and that from everywhere sacrificial animals are coming, for which until now very few purchasers could be found. Hence it is easy to imagine what a multitude of people can be reformed if an opportunity for repentance is afforded.

Trajan to Pliny

You observed proper procedure, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians. For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard. They are not to be sought out; if they are denounced and proved guilty, they are to be punished, with this reservation, that whoever denies that he is a Christian and really proves it--that is, by worshiping our gods--even though he was under suspicion in the past, shall obtain pardon through repentance. But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of keeping with the spirit of our age.

Christianity was spreading throughout the Roman empire and beyond. It is interesting that Pliny the Younger wrote to Roman Emperor Trajan between 110-113 AD that Christianity was spreading like a contagion.

For many persons of every age, every rank, and also of both sexes are and will be endangered. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms.

The pagans of the Roman empire were threatened by Christians and did not understand them. They loved others, even their enemies, and prayed for those who persecuted them. 

Christianity was for the slaves and the slave owners. Social change was not the point. The point was a changed heart. 

By these times, Christians had endured various persecutions, whether social exclusion or even death penalties. Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan to get the imperial temperature as to how to handle Christians. He gave specific details on his encounters and his procedure with them.

Meanwhile, in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished.

Two Female Ministers

Pliny the Younger stumbled upon two female slaves called "ministers," which prompted him to write Emporer Trajan.

Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called ministers (diakonos). But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition. I, therefore, postponed the investigation and hastened to consult you. For the matter seemed to me to warrant consulting you, especially because of the number involved. For many persons of every age, every rank, and also of both sexes are and will be endangered. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms.

The torture of the two slaves informed Pliny that Christianity was, in his opinion, as threatening as he had previously thought. He was persecuting Christians because they confessed to being Christians. When he tortured two slaves who were considered “ministers”, he only found "excessive superstition." He, therefore, consulted Emporer Trajan for more input.

A Disruptive Grassroots Movement. For many reasons:

1. This movement seemed to cut across all ranks, but especially the lower classes. Lower ranks were some of the leaders. Female slaves were ministers.

The historical fact was that Christianity was a grassroots movement of the lowest strata of society. The first letters of Paul and the gospels were copied and circulated. These teachings gave hope and healing to people. The message spoke to human hearts. By the time of Pliny the Younger, Christianity was expanding to a broader audience.

Robert Louis Wilkens writes,

The earliest Christian writings, highly theological and directed primarily at Christian readers, present the life of Jesus and the beginning of the church as the turning point in history, whereas non-Christians see the Christian community as a tiny, peculiar, antisocial irreligious sect, drawing its adherents from the lower strata of society.  (The Christians as the Romans Saw them. Robert Louis Wilkens Yale Univesity Press. 2003. page xix)

The Apostle Paul was clear that the movement of Christianity was for everyone of every rank. He wrote in Colossians 3:11,

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

2. Christianity was a grassroots movement that empowered women as ministers.

The Roman view of women was a moderation of the male-dominated Greek philosophical view. Affluent women certainly had more rights and opportunities in Roman society. Still, the Roman culture did not value women's role as leaders, especially in the lower ranks.

Christianity launched in the book of Acts. At Pentecost, Peter quoted the Prophet, Joel.

Acts 2:17     “ ‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

3. Christianity was a grassroots movement made up of non-paid volunteer ministers, part-time ministers, full-time ministers, and network ministers. Early Christianity did not have a "lay" and clergy distinction based upon centralized hierarchy (More on this later in this book).

The Renewed Movement

We are entering into a movement opportunity for new growth and expansion of the influence of Christianity. The early church structure was set up to select, train, and ordain ministers. This reproducing Christian will bring revival everywhere. 

We have no record that Pliny the Younger became a Christian. But this snapshot of his encounter with Christianity gives us great encouragement about the possibilities of the spreading of Christianity everywhere. 


最后修改: 2021年05月23日 星期日 06:41