The First 150 Years of Christianity in the Roman World | The Early Church [AD 50 - 200]

Summary

The video explores the first 150 years of Christianity, tracing its beginnings from a small Jewish sect to a global faith. It delves into the early Roman reactions, including the mistrust and persecution Christians faced, their practices, and the diverse makeup of their communities. The video also highlights key moments, such as the interactions between Pliny the Younger and Emperor Trajan, early Christian beliefs, and their courage in the face of death. Despite Roman attempts to suppress it, Christianity spread rapidly across the Roman and Parthian empires, ultimately becoming one of the world’s most widespread religions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first known image of Jesus dates back to around 200 AD and shows a crude graffiti of a man with a donkey's head, mocking a Christian called Alexamenos.
• 😀 Christianity began with the birth of a Jewish boy, Jesus, who was believed to be the Son of God, teaching love and compassion before being crucified, dying, and rising again.
• 😀 Romans were familiar with divine beings, but the idea of worshiping a crucified criminal like Jesus was unsettling to them, especially in light of their traditional gods and heroic figures.
• 😀 In 112 AD, Roman governor Pliny the Younger wrote to Emperor Trajan for advice on how to deal with the growing number of Christians, as they were refusing to participate in Roman religious practices.
• 😀 Christians' refusal to participate in Roman sacrifices, festivals, and public life made them seem antisocial and even dangerous to Roman authorities.
• 😀 Christianity spread rapidly across the Roman Empire and beyond, reaching a diverse range of people, including men, women, slaves, and Roman citizens from different social classes.
• 😀 Christians practiced love, rejected magic, and had a strict sexual ethic, which made them stand out as a community and both intrigued and scared Roman officials.
• 😀 Early Christian gatherings involved hymns, scripture readings, and teachings focused on love, forgiveness, and caring for the needy, including widows, orphans, and prisoners.
• 😀 Christians were falsely accused of terrible practices, such as eating children, but in reality, they cared for abandoned babies and rejected Roman practices like infanticide.
• 😀 Despite facing local persecutions, such as during Emperor Nero’s reign, Christianity continued to grow due to its strong beliefs in the resurrection and life after death, which made the threat of death less effective for disciplining followers.

Q & A

What is the significance of the scratched graffiti of Jesus found on Rome's Palatine Hill?

The graffiti, dated to around 200 AD, is considered the first known image of Jesus. It depicts a man with a donkey's head nailed to a cross, mocking a Christian named Alexamenos for worshiping his God. This reflects the early Roman view of Christianity and its followers.

How did the Roman Empire initially perceive Christianity?

The Roman Empire was initially unsure of how to perceive Christianity. While some elements of the Christian story, such as divine beings walking the earth, were familiar in Roman culture, the idea of worshiping a crucified criminal was unsettling. The Christians' refusal to partake in Roman religious practices further caused tension.

Why were Christians in the Roman Empire considered dangerous by the authorities?

Christians were considered dangerous because they refused to participate in Roman religious practices, such as offering sacrifices, attending public festivals, or engaging in civic duties tied to Roman gods. This rejection of traditional Roman customs made them appear antisocial and subversive to the Roman order.

What was the Roman historian Tacitus' view on Christians?

Tacitus, a Roman historian and close friend of Pliny the Younger, accused Christians of a 'hatred of humanity.' He viewed them as atheists due to their refusal to worship Roman gods, which risked divine punishment for the Roman people.

How did Christianity spread within the Roman Empire during its early years?

Christianity spread through the efforts of Jesus' apostles, who traveled across the Roman Empire and beyond, preaching Jesus' message. The movement also began to include non-Jews (Gentiles), expanding Christianity's reach to a diverse group of people from different social backgrounds.

What was the social makeup of the early Christian communities?

The early Christian communities were diverse, with members ranging from slaves and lower-class individuals to wealthy and educated Romans. Notable figures such as Roman centurions and philosophers also converted to Christianity, contributing to its spread.

How did early Christians challenge Roman social structures?

Christians challenged Roman social structures by promoting the idea of spiritual equality, calling each other 'brothers and sisters,' regardless of social class, gender, or status. They also formed new religious and familial bonds that subverted the traditional Roman social order.

What were some of the rumors surrounding early Christian practices?

Early Christians were rumored to be involved in sinister practices, such as eating children and drinking blood, which stemmed from misunderstandings of their communion rituals. These rumors were part of the fear and suspicion surrounding the new faith.

What did Pliny the Younger discover about the practices of early Christians?

Through his investigations, Pliny the Younger discovered that early Christians held a 'thanksgiving meal' that involved bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus. Contrary to rumors, no evidence of child sacrifice was found.

Why were early Christians known for their courage in the face of death?

Early Christians were known for their courage in the face of death because of their belief in the resurrection and eternal life. This belief made the threat of death less powerful, as they trusted in the promise of life after death, which was a concept unimaginable to most Romans at the time.