We have all heard that the early Christians were killed for their faith in Christ, but the images are vague and stereotyped (and hence weak). This passage from Eusebius (YOU-SEE'-BEE-US) has stuck in my memory for many years and portrays well the stark power of Christ to sustain Christians in the most extreme circumstances. I think it is good for us, who are probably far removed from this kind of persecution, to be reminded how far we may be called to bear Christ's cross. The spiritual attitude of the Gallic letter writer and the boldness of those martyred is edifying, and shows how Christ's Church did and will manage to survive all such persecution. It is also comforting to me to recognize (by the similarity of the instilled attitude and the manifest trust in the Word of God shown by those ancient believers) that the same Spirit, who emboldened the first Christians, works the same way in us still.
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philipians 3:13-14
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phillipians 4:13
This account is from the only extensive surviving history from the first 300 years of the Christian Church.