1st Peter 4 verses 12 through 19

Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you

as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice

insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory

is revealed.

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the spirit of glory

and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a

wrongdoer or a mischief maker. Yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God, and if it begins with us,

what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?

And if the righteous man is scarcely saved

where will the impious and sinner appear?

Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful

Creator.

The beginning of the third century of our era, specifically in 2002 AD.

Emperor Septimus Severus issued an edict making conversion to Christianity illegal.

The resulting persecution was felt most severely in Carthage on the northern coast of Africa.

A young girl, 22 years old with an infant son, her name was Vivia Perpetua, was converted and joined a Bible study class,

and was arrested with her servant girl and put in prison.

She nursed her little child in prison and made arrangements with her mother and

her brother that they would take care of the child if anything awful should happen.

The servant girl gave birth to a little baby while they were in jail together.

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