Touchpoint Bible Study

The Origins of Christianity

"And on the following day they entered Ceasarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him." (Acts. 10:24-25)

"And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. (both Jews and Gentiles)" (Acts. 10:27)

" And he (Jesus, spoken by Peter) commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."      (Acts. 10:42-43)

"While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who hear the word. And the believers from amont the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God." (Acts 10: 44-45)

Christianity currently has 2.38 billion members worldwide with an estimated percentage of people who identify Christian as 31.0%. Christianity spread first with the teaching of Jesus Christ, followed by the Apostles teaching and the initiation of more organized churches. Apostle Paul was instrumental in starting churches in countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Macedonia. He wrote 15 epistles to these early churches that constitute the majority of the New Testament. 

Churches that Paul found [5]

The rise of Christianity was met with significant persecution. This persecution started in Rome and was a result of Christians not worshipping Roman emperors or engaging in pagan rituals. This led to martyrdom as many Christians were killed by the Romans; however, it also strengthened the early church and spread the gospel as other Christian people grew as a result of witnessing such strength and grace for the faith. 

The arrival of European explorers in the Americas brought Christianity to the region. Spanish expeditions led by Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce de León, and Hernando de Soto introduced Catholicism to areas of the New World such as the Caribbean islands and Florida. Catholic missionaries, including Franciscans and Jesuits established missions and schools to teach Christianity and explore the surrounding areas. [4]

English settlers played a vital role in spreading Christianity. Seeking religious freedom from European persecution, groups such as the Puritans settled in New England. The Puritans focused on developing religious communities and political ideology that revolved around the developed Christian moral code as they interpreted it. This created an early Christian presence in the New World and would then pass down to the early Colonies and remain in the Northeast United States to this very day.  

Further growth of Christianity in the United States was tied to Catholicism as immigrants entered into the US and brought Catholic values and rituals with them. This was particularly prominent with Italian and Irish immigrants in the Northeast. The Catholic church helped with spiritual growth in European immigrants while also assimilating into the American ideals of the 19th and early 20th century.