I Have Accepted the True Doctrines
From the Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Justin and his companions (c. 100 – c. 165)
I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians
Narrated by Frank Dugan, Huntington Beach, California
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgment seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin: “Above all, have faith in the gods and obey the emperors.” Justin said: “We cannot be accused or condemned for obeying the commands of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Rusticus said: “What system of teaching do you profess?” Justin said: “I have tried to learn about every system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians, though these are not approved by those who are held fast by error.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Are those doctrines approved by you, wretch that you are?” Justin said: “Yes, for I follow them with their correct teaching.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “What sort of teaching is that?” Justin said: “Worship the God of the Christians. We hold him to be from the beginning the one creator and maker of the whole creation, of things seen and things unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the prophets as the future herald of salvation for the human race and the teacher of distinguished disciples. For myself, since I am a human being, I consider that what I say is insignificant in comparison with his infinite godhead. I acknowledge the existence of a prophetic power, for the one I have just spoken of as the Son of God was the subject of prophecy. I know that the prophets were inspired from above when they spoke of his coming among men.”
Rusticus said: “You are a Christian, then?” Justin said” “Yes, I am a Christian.”
The prefect said to Justin: “You are called a leaned man and think you know what is true teaching. Listen: if you were scourged and beheaded, are you convinced that you would go up to heaven?” Justin said: “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer in that way. For I know that God’s favor is stored up until the end of the whole world for all who have lived good lives.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin said: “It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “Now let us come to the point at issue, which is necessary and urgent. Gather round then and with one accord offer sacrifice to the gods.” Justin said: “No one who is right-thinking stoops from true worship to false worship.”
The prefect Rusticus said: “If you do not do as you are commanded you will be tortured without mercy.” Justin said: “We hope to suffer torment for the sake our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. For this will bring us salvation and confidence as we stand before the more terrible and universal judgment-seat of our Lord and Savior.”
In the same way the other martyrs also said: “Do what you will. We are Christians; we do not offer sacrifice to idols.”
The prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying: “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws.” Glorifying God, the holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place. They were beheaded, and so fulfilled their witness of martyrdom in confessing their faith in their Savior.
Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings
St. Justin, Martyr (c. 100 – c. 165) was born at Flavia Neapolis, of pagan Greco-Roman parents and was well educated. He studied philosophy, rhetoric, history and poetry, and was inspired by a meeting with an old man at Ephesus, where he taught for a time, to study Christian Scripture. At thirty, Justin became a Christian and devoted himself to expounding his new faith to his fellow men. He traveled about debating with pagan philosophers and eventually came to Rome. There he opened a school of philosophy. He incurred the enmity of a cynic named Crescens for getting the best of him in a debate and was denounced to the authorities as a Christian. Saint Justin is the first lay Christian apologist to have written extensively on Christianity, and in his writings he sought to reconcile the faith and reason.
Most of his important works are still extant. His Apologies, was addressed to Emperor Antoninus. This is the first document addressing the enemies of the Christian Church defending them with replies to charges leveled against them. He explains that they are loyal subjects based on their beliefs in the teachings of Christ. He explained immortality, free will and fasting. His second great public defense, written about the year 161, was addressed to the Roman Senate itself. He also wrote Dialogue with Trypho, in which he debates the merits of Christianity over Judaism in a dialogue with Trypho, a prominent Jew.
Justin was brought to trial with six companions before the Roman prefect, Rusticus. When they refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were scourged and beheaded. Above is an eye-witness account of his trial and execution.