Title: Exploring the Rise and Spread of Christianity in the Roman World
Christianity as a belief system that emerged from within Judaism ultimately
expanded into one of the significant social and political entities of the Roman Empire.
The nature of Christianity when it started in the first few centuries AD and its features,
helped shape the social, cultural, and political structure of the Roman Empire.
Christians are believers in Jesus of Nazareth, who was executed by the Romans
around 30 AD His followers originally considered themselves as a branch of Judaism.
But Jesus’ teachings of love for enemies, forgiveness of sins, and the possibility of
salvation began to draw a more diverse audience outside Jewish believers.
The early expansion of Christianity was characterized by several stages,
including the evangelism efforts of influential personalities like Paul of Tarsus who was
instrumental in spreading Christianity across the Roman Empire. Early Christians still
banded together in groups that supported members of those groups as well as
protected beliefs and practices from outside pressures. This became a reason for the
resistance and the appeal to become a member of the religion as the early believers
were permanently martyred for their beliefs.
This paper aims to discuss and consider the complex components that led to the
emergence of Christianity and its propagation in the Roman Empire. It will look at how
the religion began, defining characters, social factors within followers of the Christian
faith, and operations in relation to other people in Rome. Also, it will analyze the effects
of significant events like the Edict of Milan that made Christianity the state religion. This
way, understanding how Christianity transitioned from being an obscure Jewish cult to
the primary religion of an empire and influencing the course of history will be achieved.
Origins of Christianity in the Roman World
The origin of this religion can be traced back to the preaching of Jesus of
Nazareth, a Jewish teacher who lived in the geographical region known as Roman
Judaea during the early part of the first century AD. Christ is believed to have been born
sometime between 7 BC and 2 BC and from his birth to his baptism, he lived in a fairly
politically turbulent era as the Jewish nation yearned for the arrival of the Messiah, and
they were under the rule of Romans. He began his ministry around the age of thirty,
specifically in AD 30, and chose the proclamation of the Kingdom of God as the key
message with love, forgiveness, and salvation as the core aspects.
The messages of Jesus disrupted many doctrines and formal religious
institutions in society during his time. He also stressed the importance of faith in a single
God and superior morality accompanied by love for fellow human beings including
strangers and sinners. These messages appealed to many people especially those who
were being oppressed by the Pharisee power within the Jewish religious laws and
conquered by the Romans at that time. Therefore, Jesus called to Himself numerous
people: fishermen, tax collectors, and women, who followed Him becoming his
disciples.
Nevertheless, the opposition to Jesus began to intensify and more persons
opposed him, both Jewish religious persons, and the Roman authorities. The Jewish
leaders saw him as a rival in terms of spiritual authority and customs and the Romans
as any movement that could pose a threat to civil peace and their rule. This conflict
escalated to Jesus’ arrest and what is considered to be his death by crucifixion
sometime in AD 30 even though crucifixion was considered a punishment for those
considered criminals, and rebels.
The crucifixion of Jesus was a significant event in Christian theology. In
Christianity, it is considered that Jesus died not as the final act, but they fulfilled the
biblical prophecy. Christians’ most vital belief is that after Jesus was crucified, he rose
again from the dead three days later: which is known as the resurrection. This doctrine
of resurrection formed the basis of Christian faith and represented triumph over sin as
well as, death and the offer of eternal life to all those who believe.
Some of the disciples who were with Jesus fled from the cross, but when Jesus
rose again from the dead, they confessed to having seen him. These experiences
revived the hopes of the disciples and made them continue with the teachings of Jesus
with vigor. The supporting characters in the construction of the New Testament,
especially Peter and James, were involved in ensuring the continuity of the forming
Christian fellowship in Jerusalem. At the same time, the man called Paul the Apostle
from Tarsus was a zealous persecutor of Christians converting and becoming one of the
most active evangelists later on due to God’s revelation. His epistles and journeys
dedicated by him to spreading Christianity among the Gentiles were quite successful
and fruitful beyond the Jewish communities of Rome and other provinces of the Roman
Empire.
Several reasons can be attributed to the early growth of Christianity. The
movement of missionaries and ideas was eased because of the network of roads and
the many established cities in the Roman Empire. In addition, the two widely used
languages that were Greek and Latin provided a means of interchange with the different
groups. The historical Christian groups, particularly the early ones, were very welcoming
and even supportive to those in the society who were poor, sick, and outcast from the
mainstream society because of religious affiliations.
The Early Christian Community
After Jesus’ crucifixion his followers, the main apostles Peter and Paul, were
influential in the dissemination of the perceived message in the Roman Empire. First of
all, the early Christian followers regarded themselves as Jewish people who continued
to practice Jewish laws while proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. The Christians met at
parties early on in their faith in small groups called ‘house churches’ where they
engaged in eating, praying, and spreading Jesus’ teachings.
Peter, one of the twelve having been a close follower of Jesus, became an
influential figure among the early Christians in Jerusalem. He assumed the leadership of
the community and helped it in the initial stages by asserting on one hand that they
were Jews, and on the other that Jesus’ death and resurrection were meaningful. Due
to Peter’s leadership, the believers were encouraged to work as a group and remained
focused throughout their initial days.
Paul the Apostle of Christ, born as Saul, was a violent persecutor of the
Christians, but later converted to Christianity and is considered a powerful apostle of the
Christians. Pauline missionary itinerant activities covered Asia Minor, Greece, and
Rome, which helped evangelize outside the regions of Palestine and Jerusalem for
Gentiles. Paul’s letters, or epistles, to the various Christian church communities, set
down the orthodoxy of Christianity and its inclusiveness. He pointed out that embracing
Jesus Christ as the Lord and the Messiah of the nations was free for anyone and that
these Gentiles did not have to observe all the Jewish traditions.
It is important to note that early Christianity was not only a religion in the way that
modern-day religions are but a communal movement. The early Christians very much
followed the practice of care and communal living because of their expectation of Jesus’
immediate return and the coming of the Kingdom of God. This form of living brought
people together and made them more united particularly due to the belief in one God.
Agape feasts were the meals shared by members of this fellowship, baptism together
with the Eucharist or communion formed the main part of their worship and this defined
the community.
Christianity was and still is a liberating religion of the oppressed; this is evident
during the early formation of the new movement when people of all classes were
allowed equally to be part of Christianity regardless of their sex, social status, or slave
status. Such was their inclusiveness reconciled with the moral and ethical message of
Jesus, which showed people a soft version of salvation they wanted instead of the strict
hierarchy and violence of Roman society.
Persecution and Martyrdom
Although Christianity became most popular, it was subjected to occasional anti-
Christian crusades from the Roman officials, because they saw this new religion as a
threat to the conventional belief system. Religiously the Roman Empire was complex
but tolerant as long as the Emperor was worshipped the Roman State was permissive
as to whom and what was worshipped. Nevertheless, social attitudes toward Christianity
as the only true religion worshiping only God and not Roman gods, and refusal of the
emperor’s divinity were considered rebellious and capable of causing social unrest.
The earliest recorded instance of Christians being persecuted was under the rule
of Nero in AD 64, during a period when Rome was ravaged by a fire. Hungering for
revenge, Nero searched for someone to accuse and pinned the blame on the Christians
consequently killing many. Tacitus, a Roman historian, writes that Christians were
subjected to gross persecution: Some were devoured by dogs; some were nailed to
crosses, and some were burned alive to light Nero’s garden at night. Although this
persecution was localized, it demonstrated the potential for persecution of Christians
and the ability of the Roman authorities to use them as a scapegoat.
Later on, the persecutions were less serious and less frequently recurring, being
mostly instigated by regional prefects and not being general imperial edicts as much.
However, the third century can be characterized by increased activity in the sphere of
persecution and its frequency; Decius and Diocletian made attempts at systemic
persecution. To force people to abandon Christianity, Decius in AD 250 issued an edict
asking all citizens to make sacrifices before the commissioners in the presence of other
persons to demonstrate their loyalty to the Roman gods and emperor. Anyone who
declined was arrested, tortured, or executed. Even dissenting Christians were not
spared, they were arrested, imprisoned, and even killed. This was one of the first times
that Christians were persecuted empire-wide and received many martyrs.
The last and the longest persecution was the Great Persecution which started in
AD 303 under the rule of Diocletian. Diocletian with the desire to bring back the ancient
Roman customs to reign and forbid the Christian religion begins a series of imperial
edicts that forbid the Christian religion, and destroy the Christian scriptures, worship
places, and meetings. Christian citizens were denied civil liberties and their observers
threatened imprisonment, wounding, or death if they did not conform. The heightened
persecution of Christians continued till AD 311 in which many people suffered and lost
their lives for Christianity.
Relentlessly, these persecutions, rather than demoralizing the believers,
strengthened the commitment and cohesiveness of the Christian society. Stoning and
other forms of death that the early Christians faced are comprehended as martyrdom,
having regard to one of the major values of Christianity – faithfulness to Jesus Christ,
and this value was recognized not only by Christians but by opponents as well. The
biography of ‘martyrs’ and the accounts like Perpetua and Felicity continued to serve as
inspiring and emblematic motifs. The courage, the deaths, and the tenacity of martyrs
were documented and passed around according to church records to boost the morale
of other Christians who needed to be converted but were facing persecution. Christians
were ready to endure and die for it and such propensity was considered to be true
evidence of the strength of such beliefs.
Also, the stories of martyrs motivated people to convert to Christianity hence
promoting the expansion of the faith. It is interesting to observe that, while the martyrs
were brutally tortured and killed by the Romans, their actions and determination are a
powerful representation of spiritual values that were as far from the Romans’ ethical
system as it is possible to get. Contrary to the intended purpose of terrorizing people
and discouraging them from following Christianity, the acts of public executions did the
reverse: people developed sympathy and admiration for Christian martyrs, and
consequently, the message of Christianity went viral.
The phenomenon of martyrdom also offered theological and liturgical directions
for Christianity’s development. The martyrs were regarded as saints while their relics
were honored and feast days celebrated. This veneration presupposed a divine
sanction to the being of the Christian society and offered examples of piety that
everyone within Christianity aspired to emulate.
Surprisingly, Christians in the Roman Empire suffered from persecution
sporadically, but these trials only united the Christians and provided them with an even
greater spirit to endure. The act of dying and so, of giving one’s life for the Savior, was a
strong reminder of faithfulness and loyalty towards Christ, which influenced the people
of the time. The lives and deaths of the martyrs as well as the communal experience of
persecution and the response to it paved the way to the expansion of the early
Christians and the Christianity that spread across the Roman world.
Christianity and Roman Society
The growth of the Christian community progressed with the influence of
Christianity on different aspects of Roman civilization. In contrast to many current
religions, Christianity was rather liberal making references to different classes and
statuses of people such as servants, women, and the poor. In this case, the message
brought by Christians provided a feeling of human dignity as well as recognition
demanded by people even though Romans did not accept them as equal.
Addressing Different Social Contexts
Higher social stratification was still in force in ancient Rome and people’s
statuses were clearly defined, with the upper class being distant from the rest of the
Roman citizens, whose number included slaves and the poor. Christianity had a central
principle to that effect stating that all men are equal before God. This revolutionary
message was well received by people who were excluded from the society’s stratified
organization in Rome. Heathens, the majority of who were born into the dark world and
had limited to no chance of social promotion, saw in Christianity spiritual emancipation
and life after death. The societies offered them fellowship and identity, which was
contradictory to the roles they were assigned in the civil societies.
Women, too, felt that Christianity offered a more equal status in comparison with
the Old Testament. While the rest of Roman society excluded women actively from
public and social life, early Christians made some of them active members of the church
in a way not possible otherwise. As for the women, they could be deacons, benefactors,
and, in some cases, the leaders of the house churches. The acts of women who are
represented in the Christian resources including Mary Magdalene and Priscilla also
emphasized the involvement of women in the initial church.
Emphasis on Charity and Compassion
The ideologies fostered by the Christians include charity, compassion, and moral
integrity which played an instrumental role in the development of strong communities
that included social support structures for its members. The bodily asceticism that
characterized the early Christians was unique in the ancient world and was coupled with
values such as charity, philanthropy, and upliftment of suffering humanity. Charity work
was not only an undertaking of an individual but one carried out by the community as a
whole. Some of the common practices include charity collections to support widows,
and orphans among others who were considered as needy. This was a uniquely
charitable foundation that combatted the very brutal and rather selfish approach to the
social interaction that the Romans were known for.
Using Christian hospitality and love feasts in Christianity, where the members of
the faith congregated and shared food and offerings fostered the feeling of togetherness
and support. While they may have been purely social events they also demonstrate the
ability of the people to come together in collective acts of worship. To present, during
these feasts, the mobility of food and resources made it possible for even the less
privileged population in the community to be protected.
Formation of Christian Communities
It is worthy of note that the communal and ethical practices of Christianity
enhanced the creation of solid and sustainable communities. Such structures provide
not only direct support for those within them but also a broader network of support at
different times. Hospitals were established to take care of the sick and the poor whereas
the dead were given a befitting burial by the Christians, and the needy including
orphans and widows were taken care of. This practical demonstration of faith in the
localized church and natural communal desire to be included in such a faith community
for the benefits seen in contemporary society explains why many flocked into the
Christian fold.
Moreover, the Christians were teaching something very different from what the
Romans considered normal in their culture of power, wealth, and authority. And they
offered a different package of values that are built around such concepts as modesty,
self-sacrifice, and moral excellence. This new image of society was thus welcomed by
those who were disturbed by current Rome’s social culture which is full of corruption
and moral vices.
Impact on Social Norms
The effects of Christianity in Rome were not limited to religious practices but also
embraced social etiquette and ethical standards. As Christianity became a part of
Roman civilization slowly, the influence of the tenets of the new faith started to spread
and affect the Romans changing the perception towards things like infanticide,
gladiatorial games, and other entertainment that promoted cruelty and bloodlust. The
society, however, evolved and as Christianity spread and became more prominent the
practices were criticized and gradually faded out.
Organized and systematic Christianity became a serious force in the Roman
Empire and gradually started to influence many segments of social life. The message
was immediately inclusive in social terms and provided both dignity and equality
regardless of the background. The motivation principles of Christian philanthropy,
benevolence, and spiritual values resulted in the creation of supportive and sustainable
communities. These religious communities were not only assisting their members in
practical life but also questioning and changing existing Roman culture and social reality
and therefore were contributing to the change in Roman society.
The Edict of Milan and Imperial Patronage
The inception of change in the Roman Empire concerning the practice of
Christianity was achieved after the reign of Constantine the Great. Constantine’s
conversion and consequent policies entailed fundamental changes to the religion and its
development, which eventually became a major institution within the Roman state. One
of the significant landmarks, in this regard, was the Edict of Milan declared in 313 AD as
it allowed religious tolerance to the Christians, putting an end to the suppression of their
community for quite some time.
The Edict of Milan
The Edict of Milan was granted by Constantine, emperor of the Western Roman
Empire, and Licinius, emperor of the East. This decree declared tolerance and said that
people were free to worship any god they would like to. This was a tremendous shift in
the Roman policy, not only was persecution of Christians halted and stopped, but the
Christian religion was declared legal. The Edict stated, "We have also conceded to
other religions the right of open and free observance of their worship for the sake of the
peace of our times, that each one may have the free opportunity to worship as he
pleases; this regulation is made that we may not seem to detract from any dignity or any
religion."
The Edict of Milan therefore clearly signified a turning point in the power
dynamics between the Roman state, and Christianity. It granted Christians the right to
freedom of religion which could enable them to practice their faith more freely, regain
the lost properties, and construct religious facilities.
Constantine’s Support for Christianity
Contrary to other emperors who only tolerated such religions while supporting the
traditional polytheistic pagan worship, Constantine actively embraced and promoted the
Christian faith. Following the reported vision and victory in the Battle of Milvian Bridge in
312 AD Constantine associated the victors’ side with the Christian deity. The level of
support going to the Christian church in particular was, therefore, a direct manifestation
of this personal commitment. Most importantly, the imperial participation in the building
of the Christian church was funded by Constantine for such great churches as the
Basilica of St Peter in Rome and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
In the imperial support that Constantine gave to Christianity, there were certain
benefits given to the clergy, including immunity from certain kinds of taxes. Constantine
also participated in religious issues engaging the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD the
main aim of which was to deliberate on doctrinal matters to maintain unity in the church.
The council led to the production of the Nicene Creed which is a declaration of faith that
has formed the basis of Christianity.
Effects on the Roman Empire
Constantine’s policies can be said to have brought dramatic change to Roman
policy which shifted the side of the empire to Christianity. This led to the emergence of
Christianity into its status of the state religion with his successors, especially
Theodosius I; who in 380 AD gave the Edict of Thessalonica which declared Christianity
as the official religion of The Roman Empire.
The support that was being offered by the imperial house included funds, certain
immunities, and purely organizational support to advance the status of the Christian
church within the Roman Empire. During this period the church took an active political
participation in the formulation of laws and social reformations. More and more,
Christianity infused Roman practices and laws so that they banned blood sports like
gladiator combat, as well as improved the treatment of slaves.
Christianity also expanded the construction of many basilicas, which were
churches of considerable size, and a hierarchy of bishoprics and dioceses which
corresponded with the feudal division of Roman provinces. This institutional
arrangement also helped propel Christianity as a religion and a faith throughout the
empire.
Councils, Creeds, and Orthodoxy
When Christianity started to become more established, it continued to expand
throughout the entirety of the Roman Empire while facing numerous doctrines and
issues. These controversies were mainly concerning the person of Christ, the doctrine
of the Trinity, and all other basic tenets of Christianity. To solve such problems and get
the doctrine united, the church had several councils, for instance, the Nicene Council
and the Chalcedon Council. These councils contributed immensely in formulating a true
doctrine that would act as a guide to Christians and at the same fight heresies that
threatened the faith of Christians as well as charting the future course of Christianity for
many centuries from the time they were convened.
The Council of Nicaea
The first one was the Council often Nicaea held in 325 AD under the initiative of
Emperor Constantine. The main concern discussed at Nicaea was the Arian heresy,
which took its name from Arius, a priest of Alexandria, who claimed that the Son had
been created by God the Father and was not begotten by Him. Christian assembly split
into two factions after accepting Arius’s teachings; thus, Constantine convened this
particular council to settle the conflict.
These theological issues were playing out at the Council of Nicaea, a gathering
in which bishops from all of the Roman Empire met to discuss and ultimately decide on
what would be the Christian ‘party line,’ regarding the person of Jesus Christ. In the
end, the council dismissed Arius’s opinion and declared that Jesus Christ was “begotten
not made, of like substance with the Father.” This is commonly called the Nicene Creed,
which is the statement of faith that spoke of the belief in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity
and how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are of the same substance. The
recognition of the ’‘Niceno-Constantinopolitan’’ symbol affirmed the eventual doctrine of
the ‘Trinity’ and became a firm and stable declaration of the faith.
The Council of Chalcedon
Another important Ecumenical council was the Council of Chalcedon which took
place in the year 451AD. This council built on the mission of Nicaea by focusing on the
Christological debates that had emerged, which pertained specifically to the divinity and
humanity of Jesus. Essentially the disputes concerned Nestorius’ doctrine, which
asserted that Christ was constituted of Two was a divine person and the other was a
male person so that he had two natures, divine and human The other view was
Monophysite which asserted that although Christ’s human form had a natural existence,
it became divine when Jesus was crucified.
The Council of Chalcedon aimed to provide a clearer concept of who Christ was
and decided that the Lord Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man in one person;
being united ‘without mingling, blending dividing or mensching’ This council’s highlights
known as the Chalcedonian characterization became significant components of the
orthodox understanding of Christ.
Defining Orthodoxy and Fighting Heresy
The ecumenical councils also had an important responsibility as it related to
maintaining the creeds and working against different heresies that divide the church.
These councils involved the gathering of bishops as well as theologians from different
geographical areas and theological backgrounds, which helped to enhance
communication and harmonization of the parties involved. The councils were
responsible for creating creeds and definitions which gave the church standard to
ensure it directed its doctrines and its practice.
It is also important to note that the further councils including the first council of
Constantinople in 381 AD and the council of Ephesus in 431 AD followed by other
theological questions or problems to be solved and helped to cement the orthodox
teaching. These councils assisted in the understanding of some of the top concepts in
Christianity wherein such issues as the trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit as well as
the church were well defined.
The ecumenical councils also played an important role in the formulation of
Christian beliefs and the formation of a standard pattern of teachings within the church.
In its way, these councils effectively addressed these more theological concerns and set
the stage for future councils to begin formulating what would become the orthodox
Christian creeds of the church. This remained all through the efforts to fight heresies
and patterns of the right Christian doctrines which were so important for the religious
institution’s unity and hence growth within the Roman Empire society, which was full of
diversified revolutions. The work of these councils is still important in the theology and
practice of Christianity up to today’s generation.
Christianity and the Fall of Rome
Christians became dominant and replaced Roman culture in the Roman Empire
during the period that marked the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century
AD. Although it might be absurd to solely blame Christianity for the fall of the Roman
Empire, the role of religion cannot be disregarded as the shift in beliefs did play a part in
reshaping the whole society and culture of the empire. Concerning these changes, it is
possible to claim that with the help of such measures, which were represented above,
the society of ancient Rome was prepared for a new epoch in European history.
Nevertheless, the suggested perspective is the fall of the Western Roman
Empire was a consequence of internal instability and external threats. Economically, the
empire was suffering from taxation high inflation rates, and a decline in agricultural
production. Unfortunately, this was not the case since politically it was a very unstable
period, rampant with corruption and power succession. From a military point of view, the
empire was besieged by constant barbarian invasions including those of the Visigoths,
Vandals, and the Huns which it could not ward off efficiently.
Social and Cultural Changes
Christendom, as Christianity came to be known influenced the Roman Empire, by
pulling off social and Cultural revolutions. As the Christian religion grew in strength,
traditional Roman religion and its related aspects of morality were gradually replaced by
Christian ones. Christianity was eventually legalized under the Roman emperor
Constantine and other emperors that followed, which caused the slow dissolution of
paganism. Temples became churches, what used to be pagan fairs was Christianized,
and the theatrical imperial cult performances were simply Christianized.
Christianity also affected people’s interaction with each other and their moral
standards. Here we have the Christian values, such as charity, compassion, and
humility, opposite to the Roman values that were in place like honor, duty, and service.
Christian moral teachings caused several social reforms concerning liberating the poor,
the dignity of women, and the sanctity of life of human beings led to overcoming many
social evils like infanticide, slavery, and Gladiator games.
Political Structures
Religious changes such as the Christianization of the Roman Empire also
impacted the political landscape of the society. Society, and in particular the church
started to become still more involved within the public and in politics; together with
bishops and other preliminary clerics obtaining important decision-making powers. The
topology that developed with the emergence of Constantine and his successors was the
implication of the church in the state’s political affairs. Bishops’ synods including the
ones in Nicaea and Chalcedon had imperial backing and participation thus revealing the
link between church and imperium power.
With the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the church provided much-
needed stability. In this way, many of the functions which might have been filled by
Roman representatives became absorbed by bishops and performed on behalf of their
congregations. Such ideas were expressed by an early church father Augustine of
Hippo and predetermine the course of the subsequent Western political theory. One of
the most important works of Augustine of Hippo is considered to be “The City of God”
for it put the fall of Rome in the Christian perspective, considering the earthly city that is
Rome, as a mortal sinful building while the Eternal City is the City of God.
The Transition to a New Era
The decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire or kingdom was in the year
476 AD when the last king, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed from power by the
German king Odoacer, which in historic significance ushers in the medieval age.
Salem’s transformation was greatly influenced by Christianity. Monasticism, and
especially the church's establishment of education played an important role in the
church in the continuing influence in the Roman culture and maintaining intellectual
tradition. The process of Christianity in Europe which initiated medieval Europe was
considered to be one of the most significant strides that helped shape the Christendom.
It can therefore be concluded that although Christianity was not the cause of the
fall of the Western Roman Empire, it triggered some major changes in the social,
cultural, and political aspects of that empire. The adoption of Christianity was
accompanied by the introduction of new beliefs and the death of the pagan ones, as
changes in social behaviors, and political systems. Throughout the years, the Western
Roman Empire faced internal as well as external challenges which led to its fall Thus
the foundation of Christianity was established as a religion that brought stability and
unity in Europe and acted as a key to a new epoch. The Christian church was a great
continuation of the uniqueness of the legacy of Rome and responders a vital platform to
the achievement of Western civilization in forthcoming centuries.
Conclusion
The emergence and dissemination of Christianity in the Roman Empire is an
intricate process involving not only the Apostles’ missionary outreach and the growth of
the church but also fundamental shifts in religion, culture, and politics that defined the
future of Western culture. Perhaps, few religions have had such a meteoric rise from
infancy to indulgence as the Christian faith that started being a small Jewish sect to
becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire in a relatively short period.
Christianity began with the message of Jesus the Christ and efforts of his
followers particularly St Peter and St Paul in taking Christianity to every corner of the
Roman Empire. The scope of early Christians shared a community living arrangement
of their members, the Christians’ acceptance of everybody, and their chief dogmas
which are charity and morality further encouraged unity and oneness among the
believers and for this reason, it embraced various personalities. Although they were
sometimes persecuted, Christians did not capitulate and have faith therefore death
became a sign of victory. This change in the empire’s policy regarding Christianity, and
later its legalization as well as the incorporation under Emperor Constantine, evidenced
by the Edict of Milan, led to the institutionalization of the religion. Solutions of councils
like the Nicene and Chalcedon ones were important to legislate certain doctrines and
maintain the unity of the belief, Strength of the unity was necessary for the cohesion
and growth of the religion.
When Christianity came it dramatically affected the Roman civilization, their way
of worship, beliefs, and governance systems. The weakened or even disappearance of
such ideals as patriotism, honor, and loyalty of the Roman citizens, and the changes in
the empire’s legislation by Christian morals influenced the empirical development of the
Western Roman Empire at the stage of its decline and fall. The Christian church
became the saving factor that kept the Roman civilization’s traditions, culture, and
intellectual property while ushering in the complete epoch of medieval Europe.
That is why exploring the factors that contributed to the birth of Christianity, its
leaders and followers, its position in society, and its relations with the Roman culture will
help to reveal the powerful influence of this new religion on the Roman world and the
centuries that followed. This historical journey shows how dynamic and transformative
religious movements are as a significant force in human history.
