Example: Winning the Romans

Christianity was seen as universal, offering all things to all people, proclaiming an afterlife, triumph over death, and presenting a road to salvation for all men and women. It emphasized the inner life and filled the spiritual void created by the Roman lifestyle. Yet it was also seen as one of many religions. There were many rivals, the mystery religions of Persia, Syria and Egypt were popular at the time and of course there was Judaism. Nothing at the time suggested this Jewish heresy could rival the other religions. Nevertheless Christianity spread relatively quickly, mainly due to the missionary work of Paul and, also, Peter. Paul’s journeys took him to Palestine, Asia, Macedonia, Greece, Rome and finally Spain. In addition Christianity spread quickly throughout the Roman garrisons and from there was carried by the soldiers through the Empire. In early fourth century Emperor Decius attempted to wipe-out the Christian faith, the great persecution lasted thirteen years, but in 313 the ‘Edict of Milan’, in which religious tolerance was granted to Christians and previous anti-Christian legislation was repealed, was passed. Soon the Emperor Constantine was converted and became the first Christian emperor. Thus the Empire was identified with Christianity. It soon became the state religion and by the fifth century the empire had become exclusively Christian.  

 Acts chapter 15 records the "Jerusalem Conference," an emergency meeting of Paul, Barnabas, and the church in Jerusalem that was held to determine a doctrinal position concerning one simple question: should Gentiles be required to follow Mosaic Law in order to be Christians? The Jerusalem church agreed with Paul and Barnabas that God had demonstrated through the salvation experiences of the Gentiles that salvation is given by faith alone, coming from God’s grace rather than man’s works of the law. Though the church held that Gentile Christians should refrain from some of the behaviors that are most repulsive to Jewish sensibilities, it is otherwise inappropriate to place upon them the yoke of burden produced by their legalism, a burden that the Jews cannot bear themselves.