Early Period
After Jesus’ death on the cross in 30 CE, Christianity was initially understood as a reform movement within Judaism. A small group of disciples, including some of Jesus’ closest friends, formed a “community of goods” and spread their faith amongst their neighborhoods and relatives. As their reputation spread and more converted, they began to rival the temple hierarchy in Jerusalem.
Seeking to escape persecution, some of the disciples moved to Antioch and it is believed that it was there that the name of Christian’s first appeared. By the end of the 1st century Christianity had expanded to include regions of Asia Minor and Greece. Despite initial persecution, the message of Christianity spread due largely to the missionary work of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the Apostle.
Growth Period
By the second century the Christian movement had grown to include smaller sects around the Roman Empire. It offered an alternative to the polytheistic religions of the time and the emphasis on biblical authority and reliance on a personal relationship with God is believed to have given Christianity greater staying power than other religions of the time.
The most notable figures during this period were Justin Martyr and Tertullian who not only defended Christianity as a faith but also argued for its legitimacy as equal to other religions of the time. During this period Christianity had spread to include Southern Europe and North Africa. It is also believed that it had grown to include some regions of India and that there were Christian churches in China by this period.
Rise of Structure
At the end of the 2nd century, the Christian Church faced a crisis similar to the Reformation in 1517. Despite a growing body of believers, Christianity lacked organized leadership and structure. This was likely a hardening of positions in regards to who should be the leader of the faith and had a profound impact on how Christianity spread.
The rise of the Christian Bishops was an attempt to rapidly organize the Church and given the hierarchical structure, soon became the primary means for dispatching missionaries. It is believed that such an organized system, combined with the passion and commitment of early missionaries such as Paul the Apostle, helped to propel Christianity’s growth in the 4th century.
Conversion of Constantine
The conversion of Constantine to Christianity in 312 CE marked a turning point in the spread of the religion. Under Constantine, Christianity was afforded the same rights as Roman religions, allowed to purchase and own land and given a legal status and protection.
By this period Christianity had spread to include parts of Germany and the British Isles and the Roman Empire was more or less converted to Christianity. With the power and resources of the Roman Empire in full support, Christianity saw astounding growth and spread to include almost all of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages in the 9th and 10th century, Christianity continued to experience incredible growth. Missionaries such as Boniface in Germany, Anskar and Leif in Scandinavia and Patrick in Ireland made great strides in spiritual and cultural conversion.
An example of this is the cult of Saint Augustine which saw his teachings spread across Europe. Rome maintained its key role in the spread of Christianity through its papacy and the traveler’s tale which has since become the inspiration for modern religious pilgrimage.
Medieval Missionaries
During the Middle Ages, missionaries such as Francis of Assisi, Dominic Guzman, and Raymond Lull helped further promote the spread of Christianity throughout Europe. These individuals traveled and preached to small, impoverished communities in France, Germany, and Italy, providing ministry to those in need, who often responded to their messages of charity, humility, and love.
The influence of these and other missionaries cannot be overstated, as their message of love and compassion resonated with many, helping to foster Christian thought. With their concerted efforts, the Christian faith spread to areas in Spain, Italy, England and France among others.
Renaissance & Beyond
During the Renaissance, Christianity experienced a period of revival brought about by reformers such as Luther and Calvin. They sought to re-emphasize gospel preaching and emphasize the personal experience of faith. This re-emergence marked the start of a new era of mission work and the beginning of mass missionary teams seeking to spread the gospel of Christianity to different parts of the world.
This included colonies in the Americas, Africa and Asia. This period also saw the establishment of the system of Papal Infallibility, whereby the Pope was declared as the ultimate authority on church matters. It was during this period that Christianity spread to become more of a world religion, increasing its presence in previously unconverted parts of the world.
Modern Times
In the modern age, Christianity is one of the most widely practiced religions, with a presence in almost every country in the world. It has well over two billion followers, many of whom practice evangelism and missionary work to spread the gospel.
The internet and social media now provide new and easier ways for sharing Christian messages. Churches, charities and individual Christians have made use of these tools and have seen their influence grow exponentially.
Evangelical Movement
The Evangelical movement has seen stunning growth in pockets of the world in recent times. This has been largely driven by movements such as the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches which have grown rapidly on the back of passionate followers seeking new and deeper spiritual experiences.
Their allegiance to Evangelical Christianity has been a major driver of the religious movements seen today, with missionaries sharing the teachings of Jesus with more fervor than ever before. This has led to significant growth in regions such as Latin America and parts of Africa, and provided a sense of purpose and meaning to countless people.
Social Impact
Christianity’s spread has had social and political implications throughout history and the modern world. The Catholic Church has played a major role in world politics, while movements such as the Protestant Reformation have had a major impact on the West. In other regions of the world, primarily Africa and Latin America, Christianity’s impact can be seen in economic, health and social development projects.
In some areas, Christianity has been a major source of oppression, as demonstrated by its role in the slave trade, colonialism and exploitation of indigenous peoples. In other cases, Christianity has been a liberating force and has been used to combat injustice and inequality.
Cultural Impact
The spread of Christianity has had a substantial impact on culture and society. While Christianity did not always represent a progressive or liberal view, it has nonetheless been deeply ingrained in many cultures. This can be seen in art and music, where Christianity has provided much of the canon.
It is common to see Christian imagery depicted in religious art and in literature. Christianity has been the primary source of inspiration for much of Western literature, including works by authors such as Dante, Milton and Cervantes, and the themes of sin, redemption and grace are common themes in many of the classics.
Factors
The spread of Christianity is not due to any single factor, but a combination of different elements. One of the key drivers has been the passionate commitment of its followers, who have often risked their lives to spread their faith.
The hierarchical nature of the Church, or the organized leadership, has also been a major factor, allowing leaders to send out missionaries and instruct them on which new areas to convert. The support of states such as the Roman Empire also played a key role in the spread, providing a safe environment and access to resources.
The teachings of Jesus, particularly in regards to compassion, humility and love, have likely been a major factor. Jesus’ revolutionary and unified vision of God is believed to have had an immense impact on people’s lives and minds, connecting with individuals and providing a way for them to search for God in a new way.
