The Rise of Christianity and Its Impact on The Roman Empire

The world we live in is very unique and been very diverse. Every human on earth is different from each other, very original and unique in its own way which is important trait for our characteristic. The same is with culture around the world. With every century there was a start of a new culture movement, new religions, believes, practices, traditions, duties, norms, rituals, and influence. Every nation would live accordantly the constructed standards, decrees, laws and regulations of a higher power. From the beginning Roman culture was polytheistic because of different cultures that settle over time. Where society worshiped and believed in multiple different gods and goddess like god of sun, moon, thunder, fire, and etc. As Rome Empire grew bigger Christianity formed as a new religion and spread throughout the Rome society. It was developed in Judea by Jews in ancient land of Israel where they believed in One True God based on teachings of Jesus.

Despise of all the differences between these two religions, Christianity became a recognized religion to bring the churches and the state into unity. There are many differences between Roman religion and Christianity. Roman people depended on duties and rituals by brining offerings and sacrifices to their gods and goddess. By doing that they believed gods would be merciful and happy toward them and bring happiness to their fate. However, if something horrible happens Romans would think that they are being punished because of their disobedience or misbehavior. On the other hand, Christian believed in existence of One and only true God. They believed that God send his Son Jesus to earth he was called the prophet Messiah (the “Anointed One”).

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus became the corner stone of their faith and Christian Gospels (“Good News”) fundamental and essential elements of gospel message. Jesus lived a very short life only thirty three years on this earth and His mission was to die for all the sinners to free everyone from the bondage of sin and death because “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh”. Jesus did all the work by dying on the cross and he offers to give this gift freely to anyone who believes in Him. In returned the method Christians use to please their God is to communicate through Bible, praying to Him, and worshiping Him. In his teachings he promises to those who are faithful will gain eternal life and ultimate reward in “the kingdom of heaven”.

Even though Christianity grew and was spreading throughout Rome the transition was very brutal, awful, and horrific. Christians were not recognized as a religion and suffered horrific persecution: they were tortured, and thrown to wild animals in public arenas. But many people would convert into Christianity any ways even though they were treated as criminals. By spreading the gospel to others, Christian believers knew the risk they were taking every day because punishment for spreading message about Jesus was death. And many gladly did it because Jesus said: “blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great”. Death did not scared them nor stop them to spread gospel because they were loyal and they knew that they owe everything to Jesus for what He has done on the cross.

However, by the end of fourth century under the ruling of Emperor Constantine everything changed and Christianity was official legalized religion of the Roman Empire. Then between fourth and sixth century Roman Catholic Church replace the Roman Empire and Council of Nicaea represented basis of Christian “dogma” (prescribed doctrine). The Nicene Creed was a firm declaration as a statement of belief and Christian faith “we believe in one God the Father All-sovereign, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible”. Where it’s clearly acknowledge that God is the True God of all, Mary conceived from Holy Spirit, and His Son Jesus was born and send to earth to be crucified for all the sinners. As we can see that Empire Rome did not accept Christianity overnight. It took several centuries and many deaths, execution, and sacrifices of innocent Christian believers until Christian religion were officially legalized. Even though Rome religion was very different from Christian religion but indeed they both played a very important role not only in lives of people but also in society and even entire universe.