Considering the world situation and peoples' level of understanding at that time, what do you think the message of Jesus' death and resurrection was a believable option? Was another world and another lifetime after this one a reasonable possibility? Or do you think it was simply a matter of faith?
Did it make sense that a person could die and rise for just believing in Jesus? In other words, do you think that salvation was simply a gift (as did the early Christians), or was it something that a person had to work to achieve (as did the Jew)?
If you lived during the time of Jesus and the Apostles, would it make more sense to you that a person died and went to Sheol (a common "lace" for those who had died), or that a person went to either heaven (a "lace" for those who lived a good, holy life) or hell (a "lace" for those who lived a bad, sinful life)?
Jesus (and later the Apostles) taught that those who believe, even though they die, shall have eternal life. What do you think was the early Church's position regarding those who had died before Jesus cam to Earth, or before they had a chance to hear the Christian message?
Finally, with all the persecutions toward the Christians...excommunication from Judaism, the threat of arrest, imprisonment, torture and/or death...why do you think Christianity lasted, and eventually flourished, in Israel, throughout the Mediterranean world, and beyond?
I have no idea why it flourished but, the spread of Christianity was caused by Romans, ironically enough.
I know this is a debating forum, but I would have to somewhat agree with you. If the Romans didn't make a big deal about the spread of Christianity, then there wouldn't have been as many conversions. What I don't agree with is that through the years 64-311 AD, the Romans tried to kill every Christian they saw. So there would have been a struggle of keeping the faith.
Eventually, the Church began to move in two differing directions...
The Eastern Church (Constantinople) and The Western Church (Rome)
If that split didn't happen, then Roman might have had a chance to devestate the Christians. So truely, you could say that the spread of Christianity was caused by the split of the Roman Church.
Legend has it that when Emperor Constantine was marching his army, Jesus came out of the sky with a banner reading "Thou shall be victorious" He and his army then became Christian.
Yet ironically, he was baptized on his deathbed.
Probably in reality the emperor wanted to promote religious tolerance so he could get more people to work and pay taxes.
Legend has it that when Emperor Constantine was marching his army, Jesus came out of the sky with a banner reading "Thou shall be victorious" He and his army then became Christian.
Partly true.
Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, and with it the Greek words "Îν ΤοÏ...ÏÏ Îικα" ("by this, conquer!", often rendered in the Latin "in hoc signo vinces" Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Rho), and thereafter they were victorious.
I think it's because the Romans were afraid of it. Christianity was, especially at the time, pretty radical, as it advocated equality not elitism. By making it the official religion, the Romans could control it, and if they could control it, they could use it to stay in power, and of course get more dough as has been said.
Only a little bit of the reason was that they were scared of it. They didn't like it because of the fact that Jesus was "The King of the Jews". That didn't go well with them. They thought that there was only one king, Caesar.
By making it the official religion, the Romans could control it, and if they could control it, they could use it to stay in power, and of course get more dough as has been said
I can't tell you how false that is! The only reason why they switched was because of Constantine. As I said in my other post...
Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it; Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Rho), and thereafter they were victorious
He only did that because he was scared. He didn't know what would happen if he wouldn't have listen and would have got off o battle without the cross on the helmets and shields
If He supposedly saw Jesus, then why did he final get baptized on his deathbed? If I saw Jesus come out of the sky, I would probably go to a church ASAP.
If He supposedly saw Jesus, then why did he final get baptized on his deathbed? If I saw Jesus come out of the sky, I would probably go to a church ASAP.
I can not debate over the fact of his baptism at his deathbed but I can debate over some of thought. Constantine did not see Jesus, but he saw a bright light. Which usually represnts Jesus/God. And he was probably to busy to go to Church because he did have an Empire to control.
if you stare at the sun too long it will hurt your eyes if you look at god you die jesus is the son of god sun sounds like son therefore jesus = the sun
