Christianity Growth after Jesus died
Modern Christianity arose historically as a religious movement beginning with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a charismatic and enigmatic Jewish carpenter and self-proclaimed messiah who during the first century of the Common Era (CE), lived and preached in Judaea, a Roman-controlled province of the Roman Empire. After his crucifixion at the hands of the Roman authorities and subsequent death, his followers were persecuted by their opponents. Despite this persecution, Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, quickly becoming one the most widely professed faith systems on the planet.
According to Dr. Adele Reinhartz, professor of Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa, the growth of Christianity after Jesus’ death was largely due to the efforts of Jesus’ movement of dedicated followers, collectively known as ‘The Way’. Most scholars agree that The Way began as a Jewish Jesus movement which was eventually transformed into a Roman-era Hellenized religion. In Judaism, it was not uncommon for messianic movements to spring up following major events in history. These movements ended up being disliked by the major religious and political authorities, and often quickly vanished.
As Dr. Reinhartz explains, Jesus’ message was different in many ways from what was being taught at the time by Jewish sects. He spoke of a universalistic form of monotheism and a focus on individual piety instead of strict adherence to the Torah. By using stories filled with vivid imagery and engaging language, as well as exhibiting a lack of respect for religious leaders, Jesus was able to attract a large following.
The miraculous events that took place after Jesus’ death — such as his resurrection and ascension, as well as many reported miracles allegedly performed by his Apostles — likely were instrumental in the fast growth of the movement. Furthermore, the persecutions of his followers, far from hindering the growth, only served to spread the teachings further. The tales of courage and perseverance of the early Christians, standing in the face of danger, attracted even more followers.
The emergence of Paul as a major teacher of Christianity, which was a more attractive and comprehensive religion than Judaism, enabled the faith to spread beyond small isolated Jewish communities. He travelled and preached the gospel in many countries, ultimately bringing Christianity to the large cities of the ancient world, such as Alexandria, Corinth, and Ephesus. This allowed it to expand to other regions, eventually becoming a major world religion.
The Roman Empire, while not initially welcoming towards this new and supposedly ‘foreign’ faith, along with the spread of literacy among the lower classes, allowed Christianity to further expand past the boundaries of Judaism. The teachings of Jesus were written down in the New Testament and spread far and wide throughout the Empire, leading to its eventual acceptance.
Early Impacts of Christianity
In its early days, Christianity had a predominantly positive impact, even though it was controversial in nature. After it had become established as the major faith in the Roman Empire, its teachings had an immense influence on the daily lives of the population, from the ruling classes to the lower classes. Christianity provided a source of solace and hope to people in many dire situations who otherwise lacked visible sources of comfort.
Christianity also promoted the values of charity and mercy, as well as the concept of the equality of all people before the divine. This was a revolution for the ancient world, which was heavily divided by class and race. It encouraged people of different backgrounds to come together and accept each other, sometimes in spite of dramatic differences.
The early Christianity movement was also instrumental in the process of converting non-Christians to the new faith. This was done primarily through the efforts of missionaries, who would travel to other areas of the world and spread the gospel, as well as through the power of literature. Even today, the Bible is still being used as a guide by followers of Christianity, and has played a pivotal role in the spread of the faith.
Christianity’s Adaptability
The fact that Christianity’s roots are in Jewish faith allowed it to draw upon that tradition in order to adapt to new contexts, making it more palatable to foreign cultures. This process of adaptation and assimilation allowed Christianity to be flexible, incorporating different customs and beliefs in order to fit into new regions, as well as various social norms.
The teachings of Christianity have been preserved in many languages, from Latin to Greek to Arabic, and have been translated into hundreds of languages in order to reach people from all over the world. The flexibility of the faith has enabled it to reach a variety of different cultures and societies, which turned Christianity into a global phenomenon.
Throughout its history, the teachings of Jesus have informed the choices of rulers, politicians and ordinary citizens alike. Its influence on social norms, laws and ethics has been significant, especially when compared to other faiths, such as Islam or Hinduism. It has been used in order to fight against poverty, injustice and exploitation.
Significant Role of the Church
The success of Christianity in large part can be attributed to the presence of the Church itself, from its authoritative stances on moral, ethical and social issues to its deep involvement in politics. By its very nature, the Church was able to reach more people than any single leader or movement could.
The Church, as a highly organized entity, was able to spread Christianity beyond the confines of its geographical region. It employed outreach to those who were not yet part of the faith, often using the same tools that had helped convert the first followers: education and preaching. It also had a great influence on the political system, using its influential position to influence laws and regulations.
The Church also played an important role in shaping popular culture, as it often took on an active role in creating art, literature and religious ceremonies. The rich symbolism and folklore that surrounds Christianity, from the images of the crucifixion to the stories of the saints, can be found in many cultures, both ancient and modern.
Political Repercussions
Christianity’s growth in the first few centuries of the Common Era was also heavily tied to the changing political climate in the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine, for instance, played an important role in making Christianity the official religion of the empire. This not only legitimized the faith but also gave it immense political power and influence, which it had lacked in its early stages.
As Christianity grew in stature, so did the number of those who opposed it, and the Roman government, despite its above-mentioned endorsement of the faith, frequently found itself at odds with Church authorities, especially on issues of taxation and authority.
The Church was eventually granted significant autonomy, with the establishment of de facto religious states where, in some cases, Christian bishops were given more authority than the local rulers. This, however, posed a challenge to the Roman government, which viewed the Church as a threat. In response, many anti-Church measures were taken by the government, including the massacre of many Christians in various parts of the empire.
Exclusive Practices
Christianity also stood apart from other religions in terms of its exclusive practices. Unlike its contemporary religions, Christianity imposed certain strict codes of behaviour upon its adherents, such as the prohibition against certain foods and the strict observance of certain days and rituals.
These exclusive practices, combined with a strong sense of solidarity, allowed Christianity to endure and even thrive during trying times. By isolating itself from other religions, Christianity was able to maintain its distinctiveness and appeal to many people. This in turn provided the religion with stability and endurance.
Continued Growth of Christianity
In spite of persecutions and political disruption, Christianity continued to grow in strength and influence through the centuries. The legacy of the Church’s teachings and its central role in societies around the globe has remained strong, even in this modern, secular age.
Though Christianity is no longer a universal religion, it still has many followers who strive to live according to the morals and ethics preached by Jesus of Nazareth. It continues to shape the lives of millions of people around the world, bringing comfort and hope in times of despair. The growth of Christianity after Jesus’ death has resulted in a widespread, powerful faith that continues to remain relevant in many aspects of humanity.
Contemporary Relevance
In the present age, Christianity continues to impact society in many ways, from its stances on social issues to its focus on moral values. It is still seen by many as a source of comfort and hope, and remains a powerful force in the lives of millions of people around the world.
Despite its controversial nature, Christianity has been able to adapt and expand while still remaining true to its core teachings. Its ability to transcend generations, cultures and nations has made it one of the most influential and enduring faiths in human history.
The modern resurgence of Christian evangelism, particularly in countries where the Church was previously persecuted, is also notable. In areas such as Africa, Latin America and Asia, the Church has been able to establish a strong foothold, reaching out to people in need.
Conclusion
The growth of Christianity after Jesus’ death cannot be overstated. It has survived wars, political upheaval and social upheaval, and continues to grow and shape the lives of people around the world, during both good and bad times. By embracing change and adapting to different contexts, it has become one of the most powerful, influential and enduring faiths in human history.
