Firmilian of Cappadocia (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7DfEaSxFSw

Firmilian of Cappadocia

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Firmilian was an overseer in Caesarea Mazaca around AD 235 in the region of Cappadocia in Asia Minor.  Today, Caesarea Mazaca is Kayseri, Turkey.

Firmilian was a student of Origen.  He was friends with Cyprian and Dionysius of Alexandria.

WORKS

All of the information we have about Firmilian comes from the letters he wrote to and received from Cyprian and Dionysius of Alexandria.

One of Firmilian's and Cyprian's more notable discussions regarded Stephen, the bishop of Rome.  Both of them rebuked Stephen for believing he was superior to all other bishops because he was a successor of the apostle Peter.  Firmilian's and Cyprian's letters show that all the bishops in the Universal Church were designed to have equal authority under Jesus Christ.

QUOTATIONS

Pamphilus of Caesarea Maritima, who may have been a student of Firmillian, wrote about him,

...For instance, [there is] Dionysius, the bishop of Alexandria, and Firmilian of Cappadocia, those men of blessed name.  (Pamphilus of Caesarea Maritma.  AD 309.  ANF, 6.169.)

 

Origen of Alexandria (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUFz-c7ETYg

Origen of Alexandria

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Origen Adamantius was an overseer in Alexandria, Egypt and later in Caesarea, Palestine (also called Caesarea Maritima).  He wrote between AD 230-250.

Origen was a brilliant student of Clement of Alexandria.  He probably heard Hippolytus preach.  Firmilian, Gregory Thaumaturgus, and Dionysius of Alexandria were some of Origen's students.

LIFE

He grew up in a Christian home.  Origen's deep and difficult questions and curiosity led Leonides, his father, to rebuke him on a few occasions but he thanked God for the genius of his son.  At the start of the persecutions under Emperor Septimius Severus when Origen was 17 (AD 202), Leonides was imprisoned for his faith.  Origen decided to stand on trial with his father and die with him.  But before the trial, Origen's mother hid all his clothes so that he could not leave the house.  When Leonides was killed, the government took their land which left Origen, his mother, and his six brothers in need.  During this time of Christian persecution, Origen became famous in Alexandria because of the love he showed to the suffering Christians.

In order to support his family, Origen taught grammar and literature as a private tutor.  Even at his young age, he was regarded as so brilliant that pagan parents brought their children to be taught by him.  Many of these students became Christians because of Origen.  One of them, Heraclas, later became bishop of Alexandria.

According to Origen's student, Gregory Thaumaturgus, his evangelism style was one of theological and emotional persuasion rather than logical reasoning.

Clement of Alexandria was the head teacher of the catechetical school of new converts in Alexandria.  Because of the persecutions under Severus, he was forced to flee the city and continue the Lord's work elsewhere.  So when Origen was 18 years old (AD 203), Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, assigned Origen to be the new head teacher of the catechetical school.  In response, Origen sold his Greek books on credit in order to receive a small income.  Though he was head teacher, he refused all other income.  After he taught all day, he would study the Scriptures far into the night.

Years later, Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, became jealous of Origen's fame and expelled him from the city.  So he moved to Caesarea, Palestine and became an overseer there.

During the persecutions under Emperor Decius (AD 250-251), when Origen was around 65 years old, Origen was captured and tortured.  It appears that he was released, but the wounds inflicted upon him later killed him.

LEGACY

Origen was nothing short of a genius.  In order to respond to Jewish critics of Christianity, Origen became the first Gentile Christian to learn Hebrew.  Origen compiled the Hexapla, the first parallel Old Testament containing six versions.  It contained (1) the Hebrew, (2) the Secunda (which is a transliteration of the Hebrew into Koine Greek letters), (3) the Greek translation by Aquila of Sinope, (4) the Greek translation by Symmachus the Ebionite, (5) the Septuagint with his notes on where the Septuagint differs from the Hebrew, and (6) the Greek translation by Theodotion.  Origen gave a commentary on nearly every book of the New Testament.  Many people believe Origen produced more written works than any human before his time, either Christian or non-Christian.  These number more than 2000 works, written through dictation.  Origen was the first true Christian theologian.

But most importantly, Origen personified Jesus' teaching of the Christian life from the Sermon on the Mount.  He chose to live in poverty and treated both Christians and enemies with love and humility.

Origen said about Christianity,

You will observe the difference between the crowds, who simply "followed" Christ, and Peter and the others who "gave up everything and followed."  (Origen.  AD 248.  ANF, vol 9, page 505.)

CANONIZATION

Many people have heard that Origen was a heretic.  Was he?  He was not labeled a heretic during his lifetime.  Eusebius records that Origen was expelled from Alexandria because his bishop, Demetrius, was jealous of Origen's brilliance and fame.  Upon hearing of Origen's expulsion from Alexandria, the churches in Caesarea Palestine and Jerusalem wanted Origen to come be an overseer for their churches.  When Origen died, he was an overseer in good standing with the church.

It wasn't until about 300 years after his death at the Second Council of Constantinople (AD 553) when Emperor Justinian I and an assembly of church leaders declared a number of Origen's beliefs to be heretical.  Three of these probably included his beliefs about the pre-existence of souls (though he specifically taught against the transmigration of souls, that is, reincarnation), the eventual universal reconciliation of ALL beings, possibly including the devil (though after untold eons of repentance; now this is not to be confused with universal salvation, which is the belief that God will automatically save everyone), and the three ways to interpret Scripture--historical, moral, and spiritual (which correspond to our body, soul, and spirit).  Yes, Origen did believe these things and he was the only pre-Nicene Christian who wrote about them.  He even provided Scriptures to support them.  However, about the idea of universal reconciliation, he said that he inferred this from Scripture and that this belief is open for dispute.  After reading Origen’s arguments for these beliefs, though they are fascinating, I disagree with Origen on the first two and agree with him on the third.  But I don’t believe any of these beliefs make Origen a heretic at all.

Ever since the sixth century, there has existed a strong dislike of Origen, and this has caused a lot of misinformation about him to become popular over the following centuries.  For example, there is a belief that Origen corrupted many copies of the Scriptures.  This belief is usually similar to the following:

Origen corrupted many copies of the Scriptures to fit his personal beliefs, and these corrupted Scriptures became what we know today as the Alexandrian family of New Testament manuscripts [Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, 4th century manuscripts].   The true, uncorrupted Scriptures became the Byzantine family of New Testament manuscripts [also called the Majority Text; Textus Receptus].

Usually, this belief is held by those who use the King James Version to the exclusion of all other translations because the King James Version and the New King James Version were translated from the Byzantine family while nearly all other versions have been translated from the Alexandrian family.  Because the supporters of the King James Version dislike the Alexandrian family, they point to Origen of Alexandria as the one who corrupted the other NT manuscripts.

However, if one looks at Origen’s writings, one would see that Origen did not corrupt any Scripture.  In fact, when one examines the very few differences between the Alexandrian texts and the Byzantine texts, one would see that Origen tends to agree with the Byzantine more often!  Therefore, Origen's writings actually help support the Byzantine text and, thus, the King James Version.  How ironic that centuries of misinformation about Origen have caused many to accuse him of corrupting the Scriptures when, in fact, Origen is one of their biggest supporters.  So when someone accuses Origen of corrupting the Scriptures, this only proves that this person has not read Origen's writings.

Because of the misinformation about and dislike of Origen, as of today, not a single group of Christianity, including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, or Anglicanism, has canonized, or honored, Origen or given him a feast day.  But because of Origen’s unquestionable genius, his innumerable contributions to the Lord’s church, and his unequaled commitment to Jesus Christ, it is my opinion that it is a great disservice not to give Origen the honor he deserves.

Timeline of Origen's Life

202.  Persecution which killed his dad.

203.  Assigned head of the Catechetical School.

211-212.  Traveled to Rome and saw Zephyrinus.

212.  Gives his student Plutarch authority over catechumens while Origen focused on exegesis and Hebrew.

212-213.  Origen converts Ambrose of Alexandria (a former Valentinian).

213-214.  Origen visits the prefect in Petra, Arabia.

214-215.  An Alexandrian uprising sends Ambrose to Caesarea.  Origen joins him and spends much time traveling and preaching in Caesarea.

216.  Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria, calls Origen back.

218.  Ambrose pays for Origen's books and Origen dedicates all his works to Ambrose.

218-228.  Origen writes many, many commentaries on books of the Bible.

228.  Origen travels to Greece and Caesarea.  He is appointed as a presbyter in Caesarea.

230.  Origen returns to Alexandria.

231.  Demetrius's jealousy of Origen causes Origen to move to Caesarea.

235.  Origen flees Caesarea to Cappadocia because of persecution.  He is welcomed by Firmilian.

238.  Origen returns to Caesarea.

240.  Converts Beryllus, bishop of Bostra, from Gnosticism.  Spend much time defending his works with Fabian, bishop of Rome.

?.  Origen went to Arabia to battle the doctrine of soul sleep.

251.  Origen is captured during the Decian persecution and tortured.

254.  Origen dies from wounds.

Hippolytus of Rome (Full Script)

To lazy to read?  Watch the video!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VonGt4L5-x4

Hippolytus

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Hippolytus was an overseer in Rome and wrote around AD 225.

He was a student of Irenaeus.  He also learned much of his knowledge from the works of Justin Martyr, who had lived in Rome about 65 years before.  Origen probably heard Hippolytus teach.

LIFE

Hippolytus devotedly fought for the truth.  At one time, he opposed other overseers in Rome for too freely accepting pagan converts.  He accused one of the overseers of Monarchianism which is the belief that there is one God in one Person as opposed to the Three Persons of the Trinity.

Because of his Christian faith, Hippolytus was exiled by the Romans to Sardinia and died there.  It is said that while he was there with one of his fellow overseers whom he had opposed, he made amends with him and they died having been reconciled.

WORKS

Hippolytus wrote many, many works.  Like Irenaeus, his teacher, he compiled a massive work describing the heresies of his day.  Jerome's list of his writings is extremely long (Jerome, On Illustrious Men, chapter 61.  AD 400.  NPNF2, vol 3, page 375.)

STATUE

In 1551, a statue of a complete man was found in Rome.  Because of the inscriptions on it, there is no doubt that the statue is of Hippolytus.  As you watch the videos on this channel you may like or dislike the images used to represent the Early Christian writers.  That’s ok!  These images are probably not accurate likenesses of the ancient writers. However, if this statue was made while Hippolytus was alive, this is what he looked like.

QUOTATIONS

About the nature of God, Hippolytus wrote,

And the blessed John, in the testimony of his gospel, gives us an account of this economy [that is, nature of God] and acknowledge this Word as God, when he says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  Then, if the Word was with God and was also God, what follows?  Would one say that he speaks of two Gods?  Indeed, I shall not speak of two Gods, but of one.  [I will speak of] two Persons, however, and of a third economy, that is, the grace of the Holy Spirit....  [5.2] The Father decrees, the Word executes, and the Son is manifested, through whom the Father is believed on.  The economy of harmony is led back to one God; for God is one.  It is the Father who commands, and the Son who obeys, and the Holy Spirit who gives understanding: the Father who is above all, and the Son who is through all, and the Holy Spirit who is in all.  (Hippolytus.  AD 225.  ANF, vol 5, page 228.)

Sextus Julius Africanus (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXbYnn7V6Tg

Sextus Julius Africanus

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Sextus Julius Africanus was a church historian probably from Emmaus (see also Luke 24:13) and wrote around AD 220.

*** Jerome said he wrote his five volume work, On Chronology, during the reign of Emperor Elagabalus (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus) (NPNF2, 3.375).

LIFE

Africanus attended the catechetical school in Alexandria, Egypt and knew Origen.

WORKS

His lost work, Chronographiai, which is about the history of the world, was a great influence on Eusebius.  It places the creation of the world around 5500 BC which closely agrees with Theophilus of Antioch's date.

Africanus also had much to say about the differences between Matthew's and Luke's genealogies.  He explained that Matthew traces the ancestry of Jesus according to Mosaic Law, while Luke traces Jesus’ biological ancestry.  Therefore, regardless of how Jesus’ ancestry is traced, it meets up at David, proving that Jesus is “The Son of David” both through law and nature.

QUOTATIONS

About the darkness that happened at Christ's death, Africanus wrote,

Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls this darkness--as appears to me without reason--an eclipse of the sun.  For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the sufferings of our Savior falls on the day before the Passover.  But an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun.  (Sextus Julius Africanus.  AD 220.  ANF, vol 6, page 136.)

Marcus Minucius Felix (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJcY9AwD6Wc

Marcus Minucius Felix

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Marcus Minucius Felix probably lived in or near Rome.  Like Justin Martyr, he did not have any leadership—or clergy—roles in the church, and, therefore, very little is known about him.  In fact, it is difficult to date his work.  Based on my research, it seems likely that he wrote at the same time as, or shortly after, Tertullian.  If this is the case, he wrote around AD 210.

WORKS

Felix studied the works of Cicero, a very popular Roman philosopher and politician from the first century BC.  Like Tertullian, Felix was one of the first Christian writers to use Latin.  Despite being in Tertullian's shadow, so to speak, he had a very educated writing style similar to Lactantius, who also had Roman political roots and who wrote around 100 years later.

Felix's famous work is called Octavius and was written as a dialogue between a pagan, Caecilius Natalis, and a Christian, Octavius Januarius, who was a lawyer and Felix's friend.  The setting of the work is in Ostia, a suburb of Rome.

QUOTATIONS

About the helplessness of idols, Felix wrote,

How much more truly do dumb animals naturally judge concerning your gods?  Mice, swallows, and hawks know that they [idols] have no feeling: they gnaw them, they trample on them, they sit upon them.  And unless you drive them off, they build their nests in the very mouth of your god.  Indeed, spiders weave their webs over his face and suspend their threads from his very head.  You wipe, cleanse, scrape, protect, and fear those whom you make.  (Marcus Minucius Felix.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 4, page 187.)

About Felix, Lactantius wrote,

Of those who are known to me, Minucius Felix was of high rank among the apologists.  His book, which bears the title of Octavius, declares how suitable he might have been [as] a maintainer of the truth if he had given himself altogether to that pursuit.  (Lactantius.  AD 310.  ANF, vol 7, page 136.)

When was Obadiah Written? (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKX7_V6Mpj0

When was Obadiah Written?

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Of all the books of the prophets, when it comes to when they were written, Obadiah might be the most obscure.  In this video, we will look at the evidence and narrow down when Obadiah wrote his vision against the nation of Edom, even down to a window of 5 years!

SOURCE - TALMUD

Babylonian Talmud, Tract Sanhedrin, Part 2.  Translated by Michael L Rodkinson, vol 8, chapter 11, page 376.  (http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/t08/t0814.htm)

Outside of Obadiah's vision, the most ancient source is the Jewish Babylonian Talmud.  It says that Obadiah is the same one mentioned in 1 Kings 18:3-17.  This Obadiah "greatly feared God."  He was in charge of King Ahab's palace.  He saved 100 of God's prophets by hiding them in a cave when Jezebel was slaughtering the prophets.  And he had a conversation with Elijah.

The Talmud goes on to say that Obadiah was an Edomite proselyte, which means he was born in Edom and converted to Judaism.  This would have made him a good candidate to prophesy against Edom for God.

But is the Obadiah in 1 Kings 18 the same Obadiah who wrote the vision?  Perhaps.  Let's look at the internal evidence.

SOURCE - INTERNAL

Obadiah's vision is against the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau.  It is only one chapter.  The first verse reads,

We have heard a message from the Lord.  A messenger has been sent among the nations: "Rise up, and let us go to war against her."  (Obadiah 1:1.)

This is the Lord's call to war.  It appears that Obadiah wrote his vision soon before the Jews would go to battle against Edom.  Yet, Ahab never had any conflicts with the Edomites.  The kingdom of Israel did not border Edom.  But the kingdom of Judah did.  Therefore, it seems more likely that Obadiah lived in Judah.

We are given the biggest clue as to when this vision was written in verse seven, which reads,

Everyone who has a treaty with you will drive you to the border.  Everyone at peace with you will deceive and conquer you.  Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you.  (Obadiah 1:7.)

Obadiah prophesies that Edom's allies will break their alliance and will turn against them.  Did this ever happen?  Yes, this is recorded in 2 Chr 20:22-23.  In this chapter, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, is being attacked by an alliance between Moab, Ammon, and Edom.  (Now Seir was the capital of Edom and the mountains of Seir made a natural border between them and Judah.)  After Jehoshaphat prayed to God and Jahaziel prophesied the coming victory for Judah, the Lord caused the Ammonites and the Moabites to turn against Edom.  It reads,

The moment they [the army of Judah] began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated.  The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them.  When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.  (2 Chronicles 20:22-23.)

This appears to be the fulfillment of Obadiah's prophecy in verse seven.

DATE

Since Obadiah's vision is a call to war against the Edomites and prophesies this outcome, it must have been written immediately before this battle.  So when did this battle take place?  It is the last recorded event in the life of Jehoshaphat.  So this must have happened at the end of his reign.  Since Ahab died two chapters earlier [2Chr 18:34], this battle must have taken place between the deaths of Ahab and Jehoshaphat.

At this point, we have narrowed down the time of Obadiah to 2 chapters [2Chr 18:34 to 2Chr 20:22].

Scholars have said that Ahab died in 852 or 850 BC and that Jehoshaphat died in 849 or 847 BC.  If we take the earliest given date for the death of Ahab (852 BC) and the latest given date for the death of Jehoshaphat (847 BC), this leaves a span of five years.  The battle between Judah and Edom occurred during this time.  Again, Obadiah would have written his vision immediately before the battle, so it safe to say that it was earlier rather than later.

Therefore, after gathering all this evidence, the best answer as to when Obadiah wrote his vision would be around 850 BC, give or take two years.

SOURCE - OBADIAH OF JUDAH

There is one more interesting Scripture to mention.  As stated earlier, it makes more sense that Obadiah lived in Judah rather than Israel since Judah bordered and fought against Edom while Israel did not.  In addition to the Obadiah who served under Ahab in Israel, there was another Obadiah in Judah at the same time.  This Obadiah was appointed as an official teacher by Jehoshaphat.

In the third year of his reign, Jehophaphat sent his officials--Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah--to teach in the cities of Judah.  (2 Chronicles 17:7.)

This Obadiah of Judah was already an established teacher even before the death of Ahab.  This is probably the Obadiah who wrote the one-chapter vision we have today.

ENDING

I hope you enjoyed this video which is more of a historical Bible study.  It is a change-of-pace from the videos I normally share.  So if you have not been to this channel before, I invite you to check out my other videos on the history and faith of early Christianity.  These Christians wrote many works between 75 and 325 AD, and some knew the apostles personally.  Their writings tell us what the church was like immediately following the lives of the apostles.

If you do not have an account and would like to be notified about future videos by email, please email me.

P.S.

P.S.  Obadiah 1:18 reads,

No survivor will remain of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken.  (Obadiah 1:18.)

When was this prophecy fulfilled?  When was Edom completely and utterly destroyed from the face of the earth?  In 70 AD, 20,000 Edomites helped defend Jerusalem when it was attacked and destroyed by the Roman general Titus.  Ever since the destruction of Jerusalem, there has never been any mention of the existence of the Edomite people.  It seems that the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD fulfilled many, many Biblical prophecies, including this one.

Introduction to the Marytrom of Perpetua and Felicitas (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y15LDIocfUE

Introduction to the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas

Post-Apostolic Church

The Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas is an account of the martyrdom of Viva Perpetua, an educated woman of high social standing, and Felicitas (anglicized as Felicity), a female servant, along with their fellow Christians.  It was written in Carthage about AD 210.

The introduction to the work reads,

Among them also was Vivia Perpetua, respectably born, liberally educated, a married woman, having a father, mother, and two brothers....  She also had an infant son at the breast.  She herself was about twenty-two years of age.  From this point onward, she will herself narrate the whole course of her martyrdom, as she left it described by her own hand and with her own mind.  (Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 3, page 699.)

Most of the work was written by Perpetua as she recorded her experiences as a Christian martyr.  Therefore, this is the first Christian work authored by a female that has survived.  The work was finished by an unknown editor.  It might have been Tertullian, who also was in Carthage around the same time.  Or, the editor might have been Pomponius, who was a deacon who ministered to them in their imprisonment.  Or, he might have been one of their jailors who was converted by their testimony and martyrdom.

Perpetua was so completely devoted to the Lord, that nothing in the world would keep her from obeying God.  Her greatest temptation probably came from her father.  Her father came to her multiple times pleading for her to deny God and sacrifice to the gods and to Caesar.  After Perpetua's arrest, her father came to her:

While we were still with the persecutors, my father, for the sake of his affection for me, was persistent in seeking for me to turn away and for me to cast down the faith.  I said, "Father, do you see... this vessel lying here to be a little pitcher or something else?"  He said, "I see it to be so."  I replied to him, "Can it be called by any other name than what it is?"  He said, "No."  "Neither can I call myself anything else that what I am: a Christian."  Then provoked at this saying, my father threw himself upon me, as if he would tear my eyes out [with affection].  But he only distressed me and went away overcome by the devil's arguments."  (Perpetua.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 669.)

Immediately before her trial, he came to her again:

He said, "My daughter, have pity on my grey hairs.  Have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be called a father by you.  If with these hands I have brought you up to this flower of your age, if I have preferred you to all your brothers, do not deliver me up to the disgrace of men.  Have regard to your brothers, have regard to your mother and your aunt, have regard to your son, who will not be able to live after you.  Lay aside your courage, and do not bring us all to destruction; for none of us will speak in freedom if you should suffer anything."  My father said these things in his affection, kissing my hands, and throwing himself at my feet.  With tears, he did not call me Daughter, but Lady.  I grieved over the grey hairs of my father, that he alone of all my family would not rejoice over my suffering.  I comforted him, saying, "On that torturous platform whatever God wills will happen.  For know that we are not placed in our own power but in that of God."  He departed from me in sorrow.  (Perpetua.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 700-701.)

Her father came to her a last time:

And when the day of the exhibition drew near, my father was worn with suffering and came to me.  He began to tear out his beard, to throw himself on the earth, to cast himself down on his face, to reproach his years, and to utter such words as might move all creation.  I grieved for his unhappy old age.  (Perpetua.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 702.)

Perpetua also demonstrated a supernatural devotion to holiness.  While she was in the arena among the wild beasts and soldiers, she was thrown to the ground and drug around the arena in a net by a wild cow.

"[When] she saw that her tunic was torn from her side, she drew it over her as a veil for her middle.  [For she was] more mindful of her modesty than her suffering.  (Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 705.)

At the end when all the martyrs were receiving their killing blows with the sword, the young gladiator who was assigned to kill Perpetua did not give her a lethal blow.  Instead, he pierced her ribs.  Then Perpetua voluntarily took the young gladiator’s shaking hand and placed his sword upon her own neck.

Many believe that Perpetua and her companions were part of the Montanist sect.  This was a sect of Christianity started by Montanus.  In the preface the editor says,

Thus we both acknowledge and revere, even as we do the prophecies, modern visions as equally promised to us, and consider the other powers of the Holy Spirit as an agency of the Church for which also He was sent, administering all gifts in all, even as the Lord distributed to everyone as well.  [We find it] necessary to collect them in writing, and commemorate them in the reading to God’s glory.  (Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 699.)

Soon following Perpetua's trial, while she waited for execution, she had a vision in a dream.  She saw her brother, who had died at a very young age of cancer.  Her dead brother was in agony.  Over the next few days, Perpetua prayed for her brother.  On another day, she had another vision in a dream.  She saw her dead brother cleaned up and refreshed.  When she woke, she knew that he was moved away from the place of punishment.

This has been used by some to support the idea of Purgatory or Indulgences, although Perpetua's writing does not explicitly support either of these teachings.  While the ideas of Purgatory and Indulgences are rejected by most of Christianity, praying that God might not remember the sins of the dead is encouraged by most of Christianity.

The godly example of Perpetua is a powerful testimony for the church.  As it says in the preface,

Therefore, what we have heard and handled, we declare also to you, brethren and little children, that you who were concerned in these matters may be reminded of them again to the glory of the Lord.  Perhaps you may know them by [this] report and may have communion with the blessed martyrs, and through them with the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and honor, forever and ever.  Amen.  (Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felitcitas.  AD 210.  ANF, vol 1, page 699.)