The Spread of Christianity (2)

Nero accused the Christians of burning down the city of Rome. Many Christians were put to death. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote, “Their death was exacerbated with all kinds of mockery. Clothed with the skins of animals, they were torn apart by dogs, and in this way, they died, or they were nailed to a cross or condemned to the flames so that they would serve as the light at night when daylight had passed. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle and presented a show in the circus while he mingled among the people in the clothing of a chariot driver, while standing on a chariot” (Annals, 15.44.4-5). The Apostle Peter was also one of the martyrs. That was a heavy blow for the Christian church. For himself, however, it was the fulfillment of the prophecy of his Master. John writes later in his gospel that Peter had glorified God with his death (John 21:19). The Apostle Paul was also put to death during this time of persecution. Clement, the Bishop of Rome, wrote about him: “Six times he carried the shackles, he was pursued, he was stoned, he became a messenger of the gospel in both the east and the west and received the highest recognition for his faith. After he had taught and reached the uttermost regions and had made a confession of his faith before rulers he departed from this world and went to that holy place. He became a great example of perseverance” (1 Clement 5.6-7).

Asia Minor

About the year 100 A.D. the center point of the Christian Church was moved from Jerusalem to Asia Minor, the area which we know today as Turkey. The congregation at Jerusalem, however, continued to exist. After the fall of the city of Jerusalem, the Christians returned. The church father, Epiphanius of Salamis (315-403 A.D.), relates that the students of the apostles performed great tokens and performed healing wonders (“over maten en gewichten,” 15). ¹ The new leader of the congregation was Simon, the son of Cleopas, of whom we read in the New Testament. John, who was the only apostle still living, was active in Ephesus in Asia Minor. The Word must not just remain in Judea.

About the year 150 A.D. the number of Christians had grown to about forty thousand followers. Congregations could be found throughout the entire Roman Empire in the cities of Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome. As a result of this growth, there was a proportional decrease in the number of Jewish Christians. In 139 A.D., the first Christian of Gentile background became Bishop of Jerusalem.

In spite of the persecution, the growth of Christianity continued. Clement of Alexandria wrote that charred, crucified, and beheaded Christians could be seen about the city (Vlechtwerken, chapter 20, par. 125). ² In spite of this, in about 200 A.D. the Christian church had more than two hundred thousand followers.

What was the secret of this growth? The late G. Roos writes about this in his book de Regenbui (The Rain Shower), that we should not look or expect to see a strong church structure. There were no evangelical committees. People were evangelists in the place where they stood. That is how powerfully they were touched by the gospel. That is how the church grew. In the kingdom of God, the growth is the same as with a lump of yeast. “The beginning, which is of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, works long and powerfully” (de Regenbui, page 32).

The growth was not due to a good organization but had as its source a spiritual origin. The Holy Ghost worked in the hearts of the first Christians so that the Risen One became a living reality for them, and they had a living hope which was mirrored in their daily walk.

We will consider this somewhat further in our next article.

(To be continued)

1. over maten en gewichten = about measures and weights

2. Vlechtwerken = woven works

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