Background of Christianity

Background of Christianity    

                                        

We see the background of the Christianity in order to see how Christianity was developed. Gal 4: 4 says about the fullness of time. It means that time was ripe or it was the right time. The world was preparing for the coming of the Christ. The Romans also without their belief or knowledge were preparing to receive the Christ.  Not only Palestine and pagans even the whole world was preparing for that.

Pax Romana

Before the time of Jesus’ birth there was chaos everywhere in the Roman Empire.  People were no longer religious. There were many kingdoms/ empire in Roman rule which were fighting each other.  Octavius Augustus came to power and united people in Roman kingdom and peace was maintained.

Geographical Background: During the period Rome was the center of the world, it was the richest city state and was splendid, The Palestine was under the control of Roman Empire. Palestine’s’ north was Europe, south was Africa and Palestine is in Asia.

Why Palestine is Significant?

It lies between two civilizations

1. Tigris Euphrates (Babylonian)

2. Nile Valley ( The modern Egypt)

If we look at North and south Palestine is situated between Europe and Africa. In order to go to Africa and Europe you need to go through Palestine.

Greeks (322 B C) : Before Roman empire Geeks were ruling Palestine. Under Alexander the Great the boundaries were extended even to India.

Romans: Romans are important because during the time of Jesus Christ, Romans were controlling the Palestine region since 64 BCE. Octaves was one who brought peace in all these areas. In all these areas Christianity flourished until in 64 CE Romans captured it.

Political Background:

Romans played more significant role in preparing the background of Christianity. They destroyed small nations and united them. It created a greater area to where Christianity could flourish later. Octavius who was the great grandnephew of Julius Caesar took steps to do it. He was later regarded as Augustus means venerated which led to emperor worship. Main significance of Roman rule was good roads. Roads were built in order to enhance the journey for leaders and soldiers. It also flourished the trade. Many empires Egypt, Sumer Babylonia,, Assyria, Persia etc  came under the Roman empire.  Many kingdoms united and peace prevailed under the control of military power. Before Christianity spreads to these areas many empire came under the Roman control.  Soldiers wanted peace. Anyone who spoke against Roman rule was thrashed. Peace was maintained and improved social and cultural life. There was a  lot of progress in social and cultural  life. WHC Frend “The first time in 200 years on 11 January 27 BC peace was maintained.

Social Background

It was indeed a dark period because several immoralities were taking place. There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. It was a period of all kind of sexual immorality. The Prime thing was sex. People became gladiators, killing each other and thirsted for blood. Poor people were treated as slaves. They no longer had moral sense. There they expected Jesus Christ at this time. Homosexuality, prostitution, adultery all were practiced during that time. People were not religious.

 Politically there was corruption. Murder and corruption was a common practice. One emperor Caligula took sex to another new level. He practiced sexual immorality and sex entertainment. The entertainment was Gladiatorial fight in amphitheater.  Amply theater is a big stadium in which water is filled big boats was brought in to fight. 

Summary: Geographically Philistine was in central position, surrounded by Africa, Europe and Asia. Politically it was under the rule of Octavius. Under him unification was possible. Peace was there under his rule. Historians say that peace maintained during his rule among many religions. Infrastructure was in the areas of – Roads, Ships and trade. 

Social background – Prime importance was for sexual entertainment. By the time Christ was born Greek language was spoken everywhere and Greek culture was spreading. O.T was translated into Septuagint (LXX) which helped to spread Christianity. 

Philosophical Teaching

There was moral decay. People became more materialistic. People were no longer religious. Something left was Philosophy of life. Though they turn to philosophy for answers and solution for problems, philosophy could not give them any answers.  Young William G . said Philosophy educated the Greece to bring them to Christ. Philosophical teachings of that time were Cynics, Epicureanism, Stoicism, Platonism, and Gnosticism. Philosophy prepared people to accept Christ.

Diaspora or Diaspora Jews

Jews were settled everywhere. Eusebius said by the first century there was no nation in the world were no Jews were found. The Jews were not Christians but they prepared other nations for Christ as they were waiting for the messiah to come. That helped to spread the Christianity. They helped other people to believe in One God.

Religious Background

The Romans were quite tolerant in Religious matter. But they were not tolerant to those religions which stood against Romans.  They had lot of problem with Christianity. Emperor worship was there from the time of Augustus.

Jerusalem Church was the first church and the first leaders were the apostles. Apostles were people directly appointed by Jesus Christ. The Role of apostles was very important because they were authoritative because they could deny anyone being the member of the Church. Their job was to preach to the people. As time went on Christianity also developed some other post like elders, Presbyters, bishops, deacons etc. Their role was to look after the congregation. It was these apostle appointed elders. In Acts we see Paul appointing elder.

Bishop/Overseer: James, the brother of Jesus was the first bishop who presided the first council in Jerusalem. The function of the Bishop was to maintain morality.

Deacon: Deacons are the one who meet the material needs of the congregation especially among poor. They assist Presbyters, they help in sacrament.

Deaconess: The function of the Deaconess is limited in Church. They take care of women folk. In Phoebe they assisted Presbyters in sacrament especially to sick women.

Evangelist: They are meant as preachers. They are itinerant preachers. Because of evangelism Christianity spread quickly. Philip was regarded as evangelist and deacon.

Prophets:  There are basically 2 types of prophets and their ministry,                                               

1. Wandering and 2. Residential

Basically the power of Prophets is they have power to preach to other people and warn to people. They have power to warn people that they can receive God’s wrath if they did not turn. They traveled from places to places to strengthen the people. As time moved on the wandering prophets were declined and number of residential prophets increased.