Spread of Christianity

Province of Judea

6

Augusts turns Judah into the Roman province of Judea. Jews are persecuted in this Roman province.

The Message

30

From approximately 30-33 CE/AD, Jesus travels through Galilee and Judea preaching and gaining followers. He preached that people should ask for repentance and God would forgive them.

Early growth

30

Jesus' early followers from Galilee settle in Jerusalem. They are known as "the Twelve."

Crucifixion of Jesus

33

Scholars believe Jesus was crucified between 30 and 33 AD/CE. Some scholars suggest he was crucified in March or April. According to religious texts, Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem under Roman rule.

Disciples of Jesus

33

A Roman named Saul persecutes Christians at first. Then he converts, changes his name to Paul, and begins to "spread the word."
Peter, one of the original disciples of Jesus, helps establish a church in Rome, Greece, Asia Minor, Gaul (in modern day France), and Spain. From the time of Jesus' death until his death.

First Christians

49

Small groups of Christians began forming churches for worship, fellowship, and instruction. One of the first churches was in Antioch (modern day Turkey).

Paul's Visit to Rome

55

Paul writes a letter to the Christians in Rome in preparation for his future visit there.

Imprisonment and Death

58

From 58-60 CE/AD, Paul was imprisoned in Rome. It is believed he was executed by beheading as a part of Nero's order to execute all Christians. (Death between 60-65 CE)

The Great Fire of Rome

64

Large sections of the city of Rome burn in a massive fire. Nero blames Christians for the fire and has them mass executed.

Jewish Rebellion

66

Jews rebel against Roman rule and overpower the small army in Jerusalem.

Destruction of the Temple

70

Romans retake Jerusalem and destroy the Temple of Solomon, killing thousands of Jews. Christians, continually refusing to worship Caesar as a god, were persecuted by the Romans.

Religious Texts

70

Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke (Luke-Acts) written.

Pliny

112

Pliny, the Roman governor of Pontus-Bithynia writes to the emperor Trajan seeking advice regarding the punishment of Christians. The emperor tells Pliny that persecuting people on unproven charges is "contrary to the spirit of our times."

185-254

185

Life of Origen. One of the great early Christian scholars and teachers, his writings had a profound effect on the development of Christian theology, particularly in the provinces of the Greek East.

Christianity Spreads

200

Christianity continues to spread across Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, Northern Africa, etc. Christians are still a persecuted minority in most areas.

Martyrdom

203

Martyrdom of many Christians, including Perpetua of Carthage who would not refuse death. Though her pagan father pleaded with her and though she had a newborn child, she asked to be sent to the arena to die with the other questions.

Continued Persecution

249

First major persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius

Armenia adopts Christianity

301

Armenians were the first to adopt Christianity as a national religion, by tradition in 301 AD.

General Constantine

312

At the Battle of Milvian Bridge, General Constantine adopts Christ as his patron and defeats his rival Maxentius to become sole ruler of Italy, Africa, and the entire western half of the empire.

Emperor Constantine

312

Constantine is made emperor of Rome (western empire), and protector of Christianity.

A Christian Roman Empire

392

Christianity is made the official religion of the Roman Empire, banning other forms of worship.