The development and spread of Christianity

The development and spread of Christianity

If we can trace back from the growth and spread of Christianity, the efficiency of the Roman Empire has played a significant role. In the past, the core principles of Christianity was misunderstood, and those who supported Christianity were seen as a threat not only to society but also to other religions in the Roman Empire. It is believed that despite Jesus having died, the message was not dead. The reason why the news was not dead is that the discipline Jesus had while he was preaching the Gospel, took on the mantel and did spread the same message to the Jewish society, which was made easier by the Roman Empire and the energetic disciples.

Disciples such as Paul were fully committed to the spread of the Gospel. The disciples took the initiative and transverse across various cities to preach the Gospel such as Ephesus, the Athens and Philippi to mention but a few, who were their target audience because of the social and economic status. Paul took the message to the people’s doorstep to ensure they heard the word of God. Various scholars have had their views on the development of Christianity and how religions have impacted people’s lives. The essay will have a clear focus on the development of Christianity from the start and role the Roman empire played in the growth and development of Christianity not only in the society but globally.

The origin of Christianity

According to studies, Christianity was established in the city of Judea in the middle of the First Century CE, which had its basis on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and with the help of the writings which was done by the disciples and also the missionaries. It is believed that Christianity was like a small, unorganized setting which promised individual life after death.  Life after death or in other words Salvation could be seen as a possible fact because it was received through Jesus Christ, who was the Son of God who the Jews are strongly belied them had they trust. The early Christians had a hooted debate whether to include the non-Jewish in their mission which eventually becomes a reality with non-Jewish join their hands and growing Christians.

Growth of Christianity during the Roman Empire

Ancient Rome is believed to be a profoundly religious region where religious activities and political affairs went hand in hand. For example, it is thought that before Julius Caesar was elected as the consul of the region, he was the highest priest at Pontifex Maximums. Rome is one of the countries which is believed to have extended the freedom of worship to its citizens. According to studies, the Romans had a collection of gods which they worshipped, which some are believed to have been incorporated from the Greeks.  During his reign, Julius Caesar erected a god-like status which was praised by man. Still, after his death, his successor Augustus become an idol god who was adored by many which were later found to be an offence after the spread of Christianity.

As the city of Rome developed, the leaders encouraged the development of various religions where most were tolerated, and some were incorporated into their lives. Some religions were somehow singled out because of their outspoken critics of Roman nature. Among the most prosecuted community in Rome were the Jews, especially after they had conquered Judea in which was believed to be a long and bloody event.

According to studies, Christianity was started during the Roman Empire. After his arrest by the Roman authorities, Jesus was prosecuted and executed by the same authority in a city in Roman province which is known as Jerusalem. After the death of Jesus, the Christians were prosecuted by the provincial leaders and to some extent there, there were reports that some of the Christians faced violence from the people around them and also the religious and political leaders in the region. Christians were accused of being a cause of evil omen to society due to their refusal to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods like other religions in society.

During the reign of Emperor Nero, who is believed to be very unpopular during the time of the Great Fire of Rome during the 64AD, took the Christians in the region as his scapegoat where most were prosecuted and killed. Until the ruling of Emperor Decius in 250AD, Christians spread the Gospel under threats and fear but again during the reign of the leader, Christians were still prosecuted and killed in a significant number. The leader, Decius, ordered all the residents in Rome to offer a sacrifice in the watch of the Roman officials. Most Christians did not offer sacrifices, thus facing torture and later being killed. In 210AD, the law of offering sacrifices was withdrawn. In 303AD, a similar act was repeated with most Christians facing death with the watch of their political leaders.

Spread of Christianity

After Constantine had taken over the leadership in Roman, Christians were now allowed to spread the Gospel and to worship without fear of being prosecuted or being killed. Before the emperor had adopted the cross at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312AD, it is believed that Christian was no longer prosecuted. The emperor allowed Christians and other religions in the region to practice their beliefs freely. During his reign, Christians were allowed to take part in what is known as the Roman Civic life. The emperor went ahead and founded a new eastern capital known as Constantinople, where most Christians started churches alongside the temples. It is believed the emperor supported the Christians by giving them money. It is also thought that the emperor could continuously write to the Christians where he confessed to having a strong belief to Christianity.

Before the emperor took over leadership in Rome, Christians did not have a place of worship. They could in secret met in homes where they could teach each other of the Word of God. It is believed that the first church to be built was at 231 AD, which was outside Rome. Besides Christians not having churches in Rome, they were denied access to media; thus they could not spread the Gospel quickly. Besides, the Christians did not have public ceremonies which they could use to cover their awareness to the public.

In the early days, Christianity was believed to be an urban faith because it was started in the city centre in Rome. Due to their lack of churches and mass media where they could spread their Gospel, Christian would meet at their neighbourhood where they could spread the Gospel. Despite facing hostility from the people and the ruling leaders, the Christianity faith grew every day, which shocked many in the society.

The Christians in Rome Empire took an incentive to pray for the sick and feed the hungry in society. With their acts, news spread of the activities and later Christians were known for their action. Christians also started what was known as the Meal of wheels where they could feed those who had no food in society. Many people joined the Christians and the number of Christians in the community increased. They could help in the spread of the Roman Empire but not without threats and intimidations.

Conclusion

During the Roman Empire, Christians were prosecuted and killed. They were not given the privilege to spread their Gospel due to prosecution and intimidations by the Political leaders. It is during this reign that most Christians were prosecuted and killed, including Jesus. The Jews did not lose hope, and they fought against all the odds and spread headed the spread of the Gospel. With the change in leadership in the Roman Empire, Christians were able to spread their Gospel without intimidation and prosecution of their leaders.