Notes derived from:

Hillsdale College Korey D. Maas, Assistant Professor of History https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/western-heritage/lessons/early-christianity

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References

Gospel of Matthew—Chapters 5 and 16

Gospel of Matthew—Chapter 28

Correspondence between the Governor Pliny and the Emperor Trajan, (c. 111)

Justin Martyr, The First Apology (excerpts)

Prescription Against Heretics—Tertullian (c. 160–c. 220)

On Philosophy, Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-200)

Eusebius of Caesarea—Ecclesiastical History (excerpts)

Eusebius of Caesarea—Life of Constantine (excerpts)

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Christianity's Origins and Influences

Jesus began teaching and preaching
Jesus proclaimed himself the Christ, the long-promised Messiah, who would redeem the people of Israel
Jesus claimed to be God himself, incarnate, in human flesh
The miracles and fulfilled prophecies appeared to substantiate those claims.
many of the Jews of the region and the Romans who governed it were alarmed
Jesus was condemned by both Jewish and Roman authorities
crucified and buried
his closest disciples fearing the same fate went into hiding
his followers according to the book of Acts numbered little more than 100
the governor of Bithynia, Pliny the Younger, wrote to the Emperor Trajan, early second century, specifically inquired about imperial policy with regard to the Christians
[quote] — Pliny the Younger, Letter to Emperor Trajor
Bithynia may not have been entirely typical, but given the available evidence Christians do appear to have become a majority to the empire by the late 4th Century
While the growth of new religion at this rate is not entirely unheard of, it does raise question about the factors of the factors which contributed to its growth
it is important to understand the early attraction to Christian will also afford a glimpse of life in the early Christian Church
it will help to place this life in its historical and cultural context and so provide a foundation for considering the important questions of Christianity's place in the political and intellectual traditions of the West
What reasonably made Christianity unattractive to Roman subjects:
1. Christianity remained a proscribed religion
2. Christianity remained an exclusive faith
3. Christianity expected moral rigor
Russell Kirk, The Roots of American Order, 1974