The document discusses the historical context and spread of Christianity after Jesus Christ. It notes that we have detailed historical sources from the early years, including the Acts of the Apostles and many epistles. Paul of Tarsus played a key role in spreading Christianity. The Roman Empire provided stability and infrastructure that allowed Christianity's spread, though it was initially one of many religions and faced opposition from Jews, local religions, and eventually Romans themselves due to concerns about its growth.

1. Christianity after Christ

2. Historical Sources
• We have quite detailed historical sources for the
early years of Christianity after Christ…
• The Acts of the Apostles was a second book
written by the Greek physician Luke
• Many of the epistles (letters) refer to incidents,
heresies, issues, people and churches
• As Christianity became a growing force other
writers and commentators started to make
reference to it… not always in a complimentary
way!

3. Stages in the
spread of
Christianity

4. Impact of Paul of Tarsus

6. Context for early Christianity
• Pax Romana (the Peace of Roam) meant all of
Europe and the middle east were relatively
stable
• Roman obsession for communication meant
linking roads were built
• Romans allowed freedom of religion (in
general) though strongly suppressed any
religion thought to attack their power

7. Religion
• Romans: polytheist… the official religion
• Greek: wide spread due to earlier Greek
empire… polytheist
• Romans blended or identified Greek gods as
Roman gods
• Other cults and local religions were plentiful
• Practices included idol worship, talismans,
witchcraft, necromancy, temple prosititution,
sacrifice, superstition

8. Opposition
• Jewish synagogues and leaders were hostile to what was
seen as a false messiah cult
• Local religions were hostile to the idea of losing revenue
and adherents
• Some people saw Christianity as a interesting new way for
them to seek power (or extort money) and claimed to be
Christian exorcists, healers or teachers
• All of this can be read about in Acts 19
• Romans, while initially without interest, became concerned
as numbers grew, despite the emphasis in Christianity on
peace and personal holiness
• Nero persecuted Christians in Rome after the great fire of
64 CE

9. Roman Empire
• The roman empire reached its maximum
coverage in the rule of Trajan (to 117 AD)
• There were various crises in the 3rd C
• Christianity became the official religion in 4th C
under Constantine
• Western part collapsed in 5th C