Early Christians over the period of three centuries were persecuted for different reasons and in different ways. The most common ways for a Christian to be killed was by Crucifixion, Stoning and other forms of torture and capital punishment. Early Christians were persecuted because of their religious beliefs towards a significant religious figure, Jesus Christ. This caused Christians to sacrifice themselves for their faith, when they could have easily recanted and denied Christianity to save their own lives, but they did not. Christians were also prosecuted even for preaching their faith, and this lead to multiple deaths of Christians. When we first hear about St Paul in the Acts of the Apostles, he is known as Saul and is a fierce critic and persecutor of Christians. His life was then significantly changed; he became a Christian and did not prosecute them, St Paul became one himself.
Christian Martyrs
The Cambridge Dictionary describes a 'Martyr' as a person who gives up their lives for their religious beliefs. This can be done through crucifixion, stoning or burning at the stake. Oxford Dictionary defines 'Persecution' as hospitality and ill-treatment, especially because of race or religious beliefs. Millions of Christians around the world at this time were faced with persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.