Christianity arose about two thousand years ago and during this time it turned into one of the most powerful world religions. Historians disagree about the place of origin of Christianity. Some believe that it was Palestine, others are convinced that the first Christian communities appeared in Greece and Rome.
Instruction manual
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The basis for the emergence of Christianity was the political processes taking place in Palestine. A few decades before the advent of a new era, Judea became part of the Roman Empire, losing independence. Management in the province passed to the Roman governor. The idea that the Jewish people experienced divine retribution for violating religious customs has spread throughout society.
2
In Palestine there was a growing dull protest against Roman rule, which often took on a religious color. The teachings of the Essenes, whose sect had all the features of early Christianity, began to gain popularity. The Essenes interpreted in their own way issues related to the sinfulness of man, they relied on the imminent arrival of the Savior and believed that the end of time should soon come.
3
The ideological basis of Christianity was Judaism. At the same time, the provisions of the Old Testament did not lose their significance, but received a new interpretation in the light of events described in the Gospels and related to the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Adherents of the nascent religion have brought new ideas to the doctrine of monotheism, messianism and the end of the world. The idea arose of the second coming of the Savior, after which his millennial kingdom would be established on earth.
4
In the first century of the new era, Christianity was only just beginning to stand out from Judaism. The mood in the religious environment was determined by faith in Jesus Christ, who came to the world to atone for the sins of mankind, as well as the conviction of its divine origin. The first Christians waited for the Savior to reappear from day to day, anticipating his just punishment for those who oppressed the people of Palestine.
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Where the positions of Christianity were strong, religious communities arose that did not at first have centralization and special priests. The associations of the first Christians were headed by the most authoritative believers, whom the rest considered to be able to perceive God's grace. Leaders of Christian communities often possessed charisma and had a strong influence on the Christian community.
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Gradually, special people began to stand out from among religious Christian communities who interpreted the provisions of the Holy Scriptures. There were those who performed technical duties. Over time, bishops, who served as overseers and observers, began to dominate the communities. The organizational structure of Christianity began to take shape around the 2nd century of a new era.
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At the next stage in the formation of Christianity, a somewhat different mood spread in society. The intense expectation of the Savior's next coming was replaced by an attitude toward adaptation to life with new social orders. At this time, the idea of the other world, of the immortality of the human soul, began to be developed in more detail.
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Over time, the social composition of Christian communities began to change. Among the adherents of this religion, the number of poor and destitute is becoming less and less - educated and wealthy citizens are actively beginning to accept Christianity. The community is becoming more tolerant of wealth and political power. The complete separation of the new dogma from Judaism occurred closer to the end of the II century, after which Christianity became an independent religion.
