In Justin Martyr’s First Apology, he said that Christians are the reason for justice because they treat people with fairness. He proclaimed that Christians should never be afraid of execution and that they will acquire the Kingdom of Heaven if they die a martyr’s death. Justin stated that demons are spreading lies about Christians that men will believe, and men will persecute Christians due to this devilish deception. 

Writing that the final judgement will come as a surprise in the night, Justin Martyr explained that Christians should always be ready for the day. Boldly he taught that Christians should also fear hell and that people will blame Christians for disasters that other people created. Justin cited the Old Testament passages that referenced the judgement of Israel for rejecting Christ, that Jews are condemned for this but they can still repent and become Christians. 

Jesus is the judge of nations, proclaimed Justin, and his birth, life, death, and resurrection had been foretold since the Old Testament. He explained that the prophets and Jesus told of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70, stating that many of the Jews will reject Christ, Christ will judge all nations and all men who refuse to repent. 

According to Justin Martyr, Greek philosophers like Plato and Socrates were influenced by Old Testament prophets, but also by demons. Continuing, he wrote that baptism is a form of illumination since it washes away all your sins, making you born again and that the sacraments of the Church are necessary to obtain the grace of God. 

Declaring that the Emperor of Rome was not a god, Justin said that God’s laws are above all earthly rulers and people should never submit to their manipulation. All Christians should confess Christ publicly and not submit to idolatry, Justin urged, even if nonconformity results in your death on earth. After all, this is the path to obtaining eternal life in Heaven.