Unexpected Legacies: Linus, Clement, and the Torchbearers

Matthew J. Elliott

Robert Hubert - Great Fire of Rome 

The Great Fire of 64 AD in Rome was one of the most foundational events that led to the persecution that Christians of the Early Church faced. When the fire began, everything changed in the city of Rome. It was a devastating event that destroyed most of the city. Many believe that Nero himself may have been involved in starting the fire. The fire raged for days and consumed nearly three-fourths of the city. 

In the end, it was the Christians who were blamed. This resulted in a rise in persecution of the believers of the church there, and many were lost. Early church leaders such as Peter and Paul gathered teams of people, and they traveled to Rome. There, they began ministering to believers. Amid everything, people like Peter and Paul were doing in the city to further their faith, it seemed as if their faith would prevail. The reality of their situation, though, was that things only got worse. That faith they claimed would be tested in ways no one ever thought possible. Hope was a luxury that no one believed existed anymore. 

Believers were arrested, crucified, fed to dogs, and when death came upon them, they were burned; used as lights in the night. While I am not usually someone who likes to focus on the darkness the world has to offer, the events that took place in Rome after the great fire are some of the darkest moments I have ever researched. The early believers were hunted relentlessly for their beliefs, and there was no way out for anyone. Leaders like Peter and Paul fought for peace, only to find more pain and suffering. Believers who would, at one time, do anything for their faith abandoned it. The choices they had to make during this time of hatred were never easy. 

Catacombs Under Rome

As the different ministries of Peter and Paul continued to struggle, people like Luke, Silas, John Mark, and Timothy came behind them to offer aid. Together, these people did everything they could to encourage believers. To no avail, the struggle continued. Believers were forced to abandon the city, or hide in the catacombs under the city, when Peter and Paul were arrested. In time, as a Roman Citizen, Paul was beheaded under falsified evidence. Peter was later crucified upside down for the same reasons. All hope was lost; there was no one to take up the mantle of leadership in Rome. Those who normally would have, were too familiar with the Roman occupation to do anything purposeful, and they were forced to leave as well. 

Pope Linus Depiction

Rome’s scattered believers had to fight the battle for survival differently, from the shadows of destruction. A small, seemingly insignificant group of believers led by a man named Linus, mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, takes up the silent mantle of leadership. While his story is not well known by any means, he would have had an important role in rebuilding the church after the death of Peter and Paul. Another man, whom Paul mentions in Philippians 4:3, named Clement, was appointed as the third bishop of Rome. Sources like Eusebius and Irenaeus have confirmed both of these individuals in the pattern of leadership. In the wake of loss, both of these individuals, and their co-laborers, stood with resilient faith that stood the test of time.

Their message is not the unexpected legacy today, though. The unexpected legacy lies in the faith of those resilient believers. Despite losing all hope, they found faith and placed their hope in a future that had been promised to them. They are the ones who carried on the teachings entrusted to Linus, Clement, and their Co-laborers, by those who came before them. The TorchBearers of the faith trusted in the unseen hope that was born out of the pain and suffering forced upon them by Rome.

I won’t spend very much time on this at all, but that is the message I was being taught as I wrote my upcoming novel, The Hope of Inheritance. While it only briefly mentions the leadership of Linus, every aspect of the novel is about the unexpected legacies the people of that time saw and experienced every day. Every “Unexpected Legacy” article I have written in the last year has the same roots. Pain comes, hope seemingly disappears, the struggle is lost, but something still remains in all of them. 

Resilience.

 

That, my dear friends, is what this series has been all about. Placing our hopes in the unseen promises that we are given in life. Whether it be through our faith, our struggles, our shame, or our joy. If I have learned anything as I have put every effort into my research for this series, it is this: history matters, and we all can learn from it. There are heroes and heroines hidden among all that history brings us, and they need a voice. I believe that is a voice that this blog provides. What about you? 

PS (This may be the end of The Unexpected Legacies series for now, but what would you like to see in my next series?

1. Historical articles on the cities and places in the Bible

2. The history behind the hymns of the old days

3. A continuation of this series

4. Something different

Share your answers in the comments below, and don’t forget to answer the other question too.)

~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which gave him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew and his wife, Traci, have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, his goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

My Newest Biblical Fiction Novel, The Hope of Inheritance, is coming out on Father's Day and has received a ChristLit Book Award for excellence in Christian Literature.

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together, their Message will speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is, until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. 

The message has always been clear: The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us. In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering.