REL 464 - The Inter-Testamental Era
Course Notes
The World of the New Testament
While the Jews were rising against Rome, the Christians were spreading out from Jerusalem into Asia Minor and Europe - even into India, as the ancient Mar Thoma Church of India testifies to the missionary activity of St. Thomas.
The New Testament gives a detailed account of Paul's missionary journeys and the founding of Christian communities in leading towns of Asia Minor and Europe, but it is also clear that other Christians were also taking the news of Jesus wherever they went.
It is not known for sure how Christianity reached Britain. Some Roman remains from the first century AD in Britain have Christian inscriptions and symbols. The Roman legions which had served in Palestine were moved throughout the Roman Empire, and some of them were sent to Britain, so it is possible that some of the soldiers had become Christians in Palestine and brought the news with them.
Many of the ancient cities of Greece and Asia Minor - now Turkey - have been excavated to the first century period, and give us a picture of what the cities looked like at the time Paul and his companions visited them.
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
