how did Christinanity spread through the roman empire?

Question

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Answer 1

I have heard it suggested that once the Christians were persecuted and many were dying for their faith in the gladiatorial arenas; the people began to wonder exactly what made this new religion so great that it's followers were willing to die for it? An interest was taken up in Christianity and converts were made to this new religion. The apostle Paul was also instrumental in the spread of the faith. He was an educated student that was able to discourse with the scholars of the time on Mars Hill. So he appealed to the intellectuals of the empire as well. The apostle Paul also made it his practice to be able to converse with the least educated as well. Paul was formerly known as Saul, a famous persecutor of Christians for some time. It may have been an interest to the people to learn why this famous, well educated, persecutor of Christians became "one of them". Leading to more converts.

Answer 2

Paul had a lot to do with that from the beginning.

Not only was he a Jew, but also a Roman citizen that knew how to give a legal defence.
He was not trusted by James in Jerusalem (may have had something to do with Paul jailing and stoning Christians before his conversion). So Paul took his preaching on a road show and also sent letters to new Christians throughout the Roman empire (Many of the books of the New Testament were his letters)

Christianity was one of many religions until Nero became Caesar.
One of his ideas was to bring in so new architecture to the city of Rome. To get rid of the old buildings, he set fire to them which raged through the city and enraged the Romans.
Nero side-stepped a revolt by saying the Christians did it since he didn't want to change the Christian area of town and there was no fire there.
That started open season on Christianity. Church service were held in burial areas to hide (catacombs)

The persicution ended when Constantine marched on Rome. He saw a vision of a cross before the decisive battle and that became the symbol on his army's shields.
They charged - the defenders tried to retreat over a bridge - bridge callapsed - Constantine became Caesar and closed the hunting season on Christians.

Close to 400 AD, Christianity became the state religion of Rome. That made travel and communication easier (since "all roads lead to Rome", they led out to the empire's mission fields too.

Answer 3

Becuae poor people who had a really sucky life got duped into believeing that there wuld be something better after death, so they abandoned their old gods(who basically told them this world could be pretty good if you pulled your finger out) in favour of one who was, in essence, saying 'if you do nothing fun in life, you will be rewarded once you croak'.

Answer 4

Catholicism was forced on every nation, except Ireland, by the sword.

Answer 5

like a plague or an infectious disease, that's what religions are! although i do believe there's a god religions were invented only to divide the world!