The Spread of Christianity

The Great Commission is the instruction given by the resurrected Jesus Christ to spread his teachings to all nations of the world.

* Matthew 28:16–20, Mark 16:15

* In the Greek-speaking cities, the Jews had attracted a group of Gentiles (non-Jews) who were interested in the religion.

* Early Christianity

* First Christians were essentially all Jewish

* Difficulty in converting gentiles because conversion required circumcision and adherence to dietary laws (Kosher) of the Jewish tradition.

* The Council of Jerusalem – Early Christian Council based in Jerusalem, led by the Apostles

* Agreed that conversion rested on belief in Jesus, not obedience to Mosaic Laws

* From Jerusalem to Turkey, Greece, then Rome.

* Roman Empire

* In 64 C.E., Emperor Nero to blamed the great Fire of Rome on the Christians and ordered large-scale persecutions on the Christian community. According to church tradition, Paul and Peter were both martyred.

* Constantine the Great

* Converted to Christianity after the battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 C.E.

* Edict of Milan- Ended persecution of Christianity and legalized all religious practices

* Constantine supported the Church financially, built various basilicas, granted privileges (e.g., exemption from certain taxes) to clergy, promoted Christians to some high ranking offices, and returned property confiscated.

* On February 27th, 380 C.E., Emperor Theodosius I adopted Trinitarian Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire.

* Christianization of Europe

* The Prestige of Christian Roman Empire appealed to Germanic tribes. Roman Catholic Church had many missionaries throughout Europe.

* Top to bottom strategy- Missionaries converted the nobility first, which would then impose Christianity on the general public.

* Clovis I, the first king of the Franks, converted to Catholicism after...