the spread of the gospel to roman empire

Before Jesus left disciples, his commissioned them and instructed them to spread the gospel. He specifically told them to “Go and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Since then, the disciples have been spreading the word of God in and outside Jerusalem to the even the deepest part of the world.

Soon, the early Christians (who were mostly Jews) spread to Roman empire and were converting people. Unfortunately, the Christians were greatly persecuted until the emergence of emperor Constantine. The mother of Constantine, Helena secretly converted to Christianity but was afraid to publicly proclaim her new religion in order that she may not be executed and also so that she will not contribute a problem to her son’s rein. She rather [secretly] persuaded her son to convert to her new Christian religion. But he was was hesitant at first.

Constantine’s mother later made her new religion public. And it so happened that someday while in the battlefield facing a very strong opposition, he saw his mother in a vision, standing beside Jesus Christ. He told Jesus that if he could help him win the war he would convert to Christianity. He won the war and fulfilled his promise. And not did he convert to Christianity, he also converted the entire Roman empire to Christianity. This is because the religion of an emperor automatically became the religion of the entire empire. As the empire became Christianized, Constantine replaced all pagan officials to Christian officials, establishing Christianity in the empire and went as far as Israel to build the church of Nativity in Bethlehem; specifically on Mount Moriah. After the death of Constantine, his son Constantinus, also know as Constantine II took over. He was also a very strong and devout Christian. Through him the Fathers gained control of the empire.

Factors that Assisted the Spread of the Gospel Throughout the Roman Empire

1. The zeal of the early Christians
2. Confidence they had in communicating their faith
3. The miracles that occurred wherever they went
4. The good character of the Christians
5. The unity and the discipline of the local church

EVALUATION

1. Why did Helena refuse to publicly proclaim her religion?
2. What made Constantine to convert to Christianity?
3. After the death of Constantine who took over?