The Impact of State-Sponsored Roman Persecutions on the Early Christian Church

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Christian Research Paper
Christianity has significantly evolved over the years since its conception. The early Christians suffered a lot of tribulations, which included persecution and others. In the early years of Christianity, the church was controlled by the Roman Empire, Roman Catholic; there was no room for Christians to think otherwise concerning Catholicism. All Christians were Catholics. As time advanced other churches came up and the number of individuals who advocated for Christianity also increased.
The Impact of State-Sponsored Roman Persecutions on the Early Christian Church
Christian’s prosecution was majorly witnessed in the first early three centuries. The first prosecution was witnessed in 64 CE, during the reign of Emperor Nero (Sherlock). During the reign of Nero Christians were prosecuted because of the crime of arson within the Roman City; the prosecution was not centered on the religion. From history studies, it is outlined that the great fire that Nero accused the Christians of starting was started by Nero himself, he wanted to have the legacy of the founder and builder of the New Rome. In the reign of Emperor Trajan, 112 CE, Christians were prosecuted but now because of their faith; this marked the start of Christian prosecution because of their faith (Sherlock). The Christians suffered prosecution, but this was to their advantage, here are the impacts prosecution brought to Christianity in the early church.
The prosecution of the early Christians strengthened Christianity. In other words, Christianity was spread as a result of the uncouth prosecution. During their prosecution, in the reign of Nero, Christians suffered, and the suffering was considered as hatred to humanity by Nero. The Christians were inhumanly treated and used as entertainment tools during their suffering. Through the suffering and the amusement aspect, Christians saw that this was an opportunity to grow the early church. The public condemned the prosecutions and at the same time admired the Marty’s passive resistance; this strengthened the early church (Sherlock). The admiration of the Marty’s courage, by the pagans who were present during the martyrdoms, encouraged the pagans to join Christianity and this was seen as the beginning of spread Christian faith in the early church.
The Role of Emperor Constantine in the Development of the Christian Church
The reign of Emperor Constantine was between C.280-337A.D. He was a very influential figure in the ancient Roman history. Due to his influence, he legalized Christianity which was outlawed in the Roman Empire. The Romans were free to join Christianity during his reign. People are not sure about the faith of the Empire, but his efforts of legalizing Christianity can prove to some extent that he was a Christian (Gill). His actions and decisions in the capital, Constantinople (which he created during his reign), lead to a series of events that can be argued as the main cause of the divisions in the empire and split of the early Christian Church (Gill).
Constantine did a lot of enduring works to uphold and spread the Christian faith in the early church. Through his orders and influence, the Holy Sepulchre in Jeru...