During the course of history, Christian evangelism has never stopped. It started with its golden era during the apostolic period, which ended around the year 105 AD. Because of its great values, this period is covered in some detail at the end of this lesson. In the subsequent four centuries of Christian history, the evangelism spread out through four major factors: the “Apologies,” which are writings that defend the Christian faith, evangelism work, martyrdom, and monasticism.
It is fair to say that Christianity spread greatly by martyrdom. Martyrdom ended by the edict of Milan in 313 AD. As Tertullian said during this time, ‘The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed. 1 St. Justin Martyr explained the reason, ‘For it is plain that, though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not give up our confession; but the more such things happen, the more do others and in larger numbers become faithful, and worshippers of God through the name of Jesus. For just as if one should cut away the fruit-bearing parts of a vine, it grows up again, and yields other branches flourishing and fruitful; even so the same thing happens with us.’ 2 One martyr, like St. George, during the course of his torturing attracted thousands of people to Christianity, because there is no witnessing better than showing suffering for a religion, facing death without fear, and showing love to all including the executioner. On the other hand, because evangelism was still a clear objective of every Christian, even martyrs while they are in the midst of their trials and torturing, they never failed to evangelize by words, merciful actions towards all including those who persecuted them, and by miracles.
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MAIN http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thepangeablog/articles/unpublished-papers/behind-lukes-gospel-the-roman-empire-during-the-time-of-jesus/
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