The early Christian communities centered around the apostles in Jerusalem and strengthened their union with God through celebrating the Eucharist. They shared their possessions communally and met daily in the temple and homes. However, they faced controversies over Jewish laws and were later persecuted by Roman emperors, though the persecutions only served to spread Christianity further. During this time, Christians developed a strong spiritual link and awareness of continuing Christ's mission through reflecting his image as the body of Christ in their solidarity with one another.