How was Christianity spread?

Answer 1

by sword

Answer 2

It truly begins with the Conclave around 420 AD. The Conclave was called by the Emperor of Rome, Constantine the Great, it was then and there that the 'books' of the Old Testament were decided upon, under the gaze of one of Romes most Tyrannical Emperors. From there it was mostly spread by fire and sword though Easter orthodox beliefs were mostly spread through trade and Constantinople. In the end though, Christianity was and is the religion of conquerors and if you did not convert you were put to death. An interesting microcosm of this can be studied by studying the history of Norway. Around 1400 ad King Olaf of Norway proclaimed that all of Norway was a Christian nation, pagan idolatry was burned and destroyed and Christian churches were erected on the ruins. Much liek the Christians of Soviet era Russia, the pagan beliefs were taken underground. To this day 90% of Norway proclaims themselves part of the stat run Lutheran Church. However it is estimated that less tha 6 percent of Norwegians actively worship Christianity and many public figures throughout Norwegian history are openly hostile towards Christianity.

Answer 3

Short Version: Jesus lived,died and was resurrected,4 B.C to 33 A.D. The church prospered for a short time in Jerusalem but God wanted it spread all over the world.Therefore he had Saul of Tarsus persecute the church,so the guys would take off and move away from Jerusalem.Saul did such a good job,Jesus appeared to him knocking him off his horse and changing his mind for good! He changed his name to Paul and became the Apostle to the Gentiles(Non-Jews)He started churches all over present day Greece ,Macedonia,and Turkey,some say Spain and all the way to England(I agree).He also preached in Rome as he awaited trial (free on his own recognizance.His students spread the word ,as did John and Peters' and soon the government leaders were crying"These are the men who turned the world upside down!"
Pretty much,that's how it went.About 300 years later the churches began to fight for who was "top dog".So the church at Rome became the Catholic church,the Egyptians became the Coptic church ,and most of the rest became the Eastern Orthodox Churchs.Regular Christianity was first then,these others ,don't let anyone fool you.They used to meet in houses and the "Pastors" were married men,and threr were no" Nuns" and all that stuff for at least 250 years.See I & 2nd Timothy,Titus and Collosians to see how the Church was set up by Paul.

Answer 4

It was initially spread by the very people Jesus personally told to "go spread the word". The apostles (a word which means "one who is sent forth")

There were twelve "main" ones: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, JOhn, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (Son of Alphaeus), Jude Thaddeus, Simon the Caananite, Matthias, Judas Iscariot

Others included: John Mark, Barnabas, John the Baptist, Luke, Lazarus, Paul (who changed his name from Saul, and many of the books of the New Testament were written by him).

Admittedly, Judas and John the Baptist's careers were cut short before there really was a "Christianity".

Christ told them to go out "to all the nations of the earth" and spread the word. People were to form themselves together into churches, and live the word of God. For the first time, God made himself available to everyone.

Jesus left instructions that missionaries should travel in pairs, and they should knock on people's doors. Christians should live in communities and support one another. They should obey all the laws of the lands in which they live, and they should set an example for one another. Don't do anything that reflects badly on other Christians.

Here's a link for some more reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Apostles

Wow, I can't believe the number of people here who are saying "by the sword". Get your history right, people. Don't believe the hype.

Answer 5

By Jesus himself and 11 of his disciples who devoted their lives to spreading the Gospel (many who were martyred). Those who heard spread the Word and so on and so on.

Answer 6

By force. When a Christian army took over a region the region converted to the religion (or else!).

If you really want to know more about it pick up, "The Dark Side of Christian History" by Hellen Ellerbe. There are lots of others also.

Read about the crusades also.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades

Answer 7

That depends when and where you are talking about. Christianity in Africa in the 19th century is different than Christianity in Mexico in the 1500's.

Answer 8

Paul,and the disciples.
persecution that helped spread it(including those who settled in the new continents).

Answer 9

By sword, killing, raping, hating. It is easier to spread evil than good.

Answer 10

as you know it today all the sunday going churhces sprung up and broke off from the catholic church. the catholic church came about in 222 ad and then several years later came the baptists and methodists and so on so forth. I don't know who came first in the other churches actual.

Answer 11

Hello native people whose indegenous lifestyle we destroyed.
Want some food?
You have to accept Jesus as the true saviour of your soul.
Okay, now you can eat.
Good savage.

http://flushaholybook.com