The relationship between early Christians and the existing social structures and religious authorities was complex and evolved over time. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
Early Interactions (First Century AD):
* Initially Viewed as a Sect of Judaism: In the earliest days, Christianity was largely seen as a sect within Judaism. Early Christians continued to worship in synagogues and observe Jewish customs. However, their belief in Jesus as the Messiah and their preaching of the Gospel led to increasing tension.
* Conflict with Jewish Authorities: Jewish authorities, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, opposed the teachings of the early Christians. They saw Jesus' claims as blasphemous and a threat to their religious authority. This led to persecution of early Christians, including stoning, imprisonment, and expulsion from synagogues (Acts 4:3, 5:17-41, 7:54-60). Figures like Stephen and James (brother of John) were martyred.
* Relationship with Roman Authorities: Initially, the Roman Empire largely ignored Christians, seeing them as an internal Jewish affair. However, this changed as Christianity spread beyond Jewish communities and began to attract Gentiles (non-Jews). As Christians refused to worship Roman gods and emperors, they were viewed with suspicion and sometimes accused of sedition or atheism.
Development of Tension and Persecution (1st-3rd Centuries):
* Refusal to Worship Roman Gods: The core issue was Christians' monotheistic belief in one God and their refusal to participate in the Roman state religion, which included emperor worship. Roman officials viewed this as disloyalty and a potential threat to the stability of the empire.
* Accusations and Misunderstandings: Christians were often the target of false accusations and rumors. They were accused of cannibalism (due to the Eucharist), incest (because they called each other "brother" and "sister"), and atheism (because they denied the existence of Roman gods). They were also sometimes blamed for natural disasters.
* Localized and Empire-Wide Persecutions: Persecution varied in intensity and location. Some emperors, like Nero (64 AD) after the Great Fire of Rome, blamed Christians for the disaster and subjected them to brutal executions. Other emperors, such as Domitian, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius, while not initiating systematic persecutions, allowed local officials to punish Christians who violated Roman laws.
* Martyrdom: Many Christians chose martyrdom (death for their faith) rather than renounce their beliefs. This served as a powerful witness to their faith and often attracted others to Christianity.
Factors Influencing the Relationship:
* Christian Morality: The high moral standards of Christians, their care for the poor and sick, and their strong community often contrasted favorably with the perceived corruption and moral decay of Roman society. This attracted some Romans to Christianity.
* Spread of Christianity: Despite persecution, Christianity continued to spread rapidly, particularly among the lower classes and women. This worried Roman authorities, who saw it as a growing threat to their power.
* Roman Legal System: The Roman legal system was generally based on the principle of *ius gentium* (law of nations), which aimed to provide justice for all people within the empire. However, Christians were often denied due process and subjected to arbitrary punishments.
* Theological Developments: As Christianity developed, its theology became more distinct from Judaism. This further solidified its identity as a separate religion and increased tensions with both Jewish and Roman authorities.
The Edict of Milan (313 AD) and Beyond:
* Legalization of Christianity: The Edict of Milan, issued by Emperors Constantine and Licinius, granted religious toleration throughout the Roman Empire. This marked a turning point in the relationship between Christianity and the state.
* Constantine's Favoritism: Emperor Constantine showed increasing favor to Christianity. He provided financial support to the church, exempted clergy from certain taxes, and allowed Christians to hold positions of power.
* Christianity as the State Religion: Under Emperor Theodosius I in 380 AD, Christianity became the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This reversed the previous relationship, and now other religions faced discrimination.
In Summary:
The early church's relationship with the existing order was marked by a shift from initial tolerance to persecution and then to eventual acceptance and endorsement. The early Christians faced hostility from both Jewish and Roman authorities due to their beliefs, practices, and perceived threat to social and political stability. Despite the challenges, Christianity continued to grow and eventually became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire.