Christianity is one of the most widespread religions in the world. He bases his faith in the birth, public life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The term Christianity is a derivation of the followers of Christ. Therefore, Jesus is the pioneer of Christianity. Christians base their teaching on the Bible, the holy book of Christians, mainly on the New Testament. However, it describes indefinitely the origin and evolution of this religion. This essay will focus on the originality of Christianity. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The origin of Christianity can be traced back to the first century, when the Holy Spirit descended on the eleven disciples of Jesus. Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph. According to the Bible, Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit. Thus, Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. He was born between 4 BC and 1 BC in Bethlehem, Jerusalem. It was during the era of King Herod the Great. Thirty years later, Jesus began his ministry. First he chose twelve disciples who would assist him and make the Gospel flourish after him. Then he went around Palestine preaching. Most Jews called him their king, while some called him the messiah. During his reign he encountered many challenges from some Jews and other Romans. Jesus' reign lasted about three years. He was then arrested and accused of treason and was crucified. According to Christian traditions, Jesus was resurrected three days after his death. Then he ascended into heaven forty days later. The resurrection and ascension were an affirmation that he was the messiah foretold decades BCE. On the day of Pentecost, ten days later, the Holy Spirit descended on the eleven apostles. One of Jesus' helpers had committed suicide after betraying him. The eleven disciples were the first Christians. The Holy Spirit empowered these apostles to continue spreading the Gospel outside of Palestine. In that same century, the first century AD, approximately three thousand Jews converted and became Christians. However, most Romans did not embrace Christianity. Then they executed the Christians. In 37 AD Paul, formerly Saul, converted to Christianity. Paul was a tentmaker and persecutor of Christians before the transformation. According to the story, Paul was transformed while on his way to Damascus, where he would persecute other believers. Paul's conversion led to a significant step in the spread of Christianity. Immediately after his conversion, Paul began his missionary work in the synagogues of Damascus. Non-Christians felt betrayed and began to plot against him. Therefore, Paul flees to the Arabian Desert for three years. He returned to Jerusalem around 40 AD but faced further threats which led him to flee to his hometown. Between 41 AD and 44 AD Paul preaches in and around Tarsus. Paul considered Gentiles equal to Jews; therefore, they deserved the opportunity to join Jewish Christianity. During this period many Gentiles converted to Christianity. Following this rapid embrace of Christianity by both Gentiles and Jews in Syria, Antioch became the major center of Christianity. Barnabas then asked Paul to help him. Paul went to Antioch around 45 AD, where he began his first missionary journey around 48 AD. Paul accompanied by Barnabas leaves for Paphos, Cyprus. While in Cyprus, Paul performed a miracle, cursing a sorcerer with temporary blindness. The miracle led to the conversion of a large number of non-Christians. Series Paul, Roman proconsul, was among those who converted. Then they headed to Perga, Pamphylia and then to Antioch Pisidia. Their determination in Antioch pushedJewish leaders to thwart them. They were subsequently expelled from the region. After their dismissal, Paul and Barnabas went to Galatia. They preached and converted unbelievers in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. AA Lystra, Paul performed another miracle, the healing of a disabled person, which led some Jews from Antioch and Iconium to cause Paul's stoning. However, Paul recovered and returned to Syria via Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. The journey of about two years led to the prompt spread of Christianity in Rome. Around 51 AD, after the meeting of the Council of Jerusalem, Paul began his second missionary journey. The journey lasted about two years. He first revisited areas from his first trip before proceeding to the coastal city of Troas on the Aegean Sea. Then he brought the Gospel to Macedonia and its surroundings. Paul and Silas, Paul's companion on the second journey, were arrested while in Philip after Paul cast out a demon from a slave girl. They were later released and traveled to Athens beyond Thessaloniki and Berea. They also spent time in Corinth, Caesarea in Palestine, and Jerusalem before returning to Syrian Antioch. After a brief stay in Antioch, Paul set out on his third missionary journey. He revisited the churches he had established on his previous missionary journeys before visiting Ephesus. Paul then went to Macedonia and Achaia. He left Greece after discovering that some Jewish leaders were planning to kill him. From Greece he returned to Asia and then to Jerusalem. Around 58 AD Paul arrived in Jerusalem but was arrested shortly after his arrival. He was later released after appealing to Caesar about two years later. Christianity had spread significantly in Rome and outside Rome by 64 AD However, some Roman leaders were not happy with the acts of the Christians. Therefore, they blamed and punished Christians for most disasters. For example, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for the fire that broke out and destroyed much of Rome. Paul and Peter were two of the Christian victims of serious accusations following the incident. Christianity was then illegalized until 313 AD Two years later, around 68 AD, Emperor Nero died and was succeeded by Vespasian. In 70 AD, a major Jewish revolt broke out against the Roman government. The rebellion led to the destruction of a Christian church in Jerusalem. Events slowed the spread of religion. However, with Christian persecution by Roman leaders and the destruction of the church, Christianity continued to spread. Between 71 AD and 115 AD, the evangelist Mark introduced Christianity to Africa, Egypt, Alexandria. He found Coptic Christianity, which later spread to northern Africa and other parts along the Red Sea. Around 180 AD a school of Christian theology was opened in Alexandria. Subsequently, around 189 AD, Victor I became the first elected African Pope. Around 206 AD, King Abgar IX converted Edessa into a Christian city. It became the first city in the world where Christianity was allowed. However, the spread of Christianity was undermined by the sporadic persecutions that Christians faced. In 250 AD another Christian persecution began throughout the empire. It was under the rule of the emperor Decius. The Christians had refused to offer religious sacrifices in the presence of Roman officials as the emperor had ordered. The edict was later repealed around 261 AD. The persecution remained local until Emperor Diocletian instituted a series of decrees, similar to Emperor Decius' proclamation. By 300 AD, approximately 25% of the total Roman population was Christian. Emperor Diocletian abdicated his position and was succeeded by Emperor Constantius in 305 AD. In 306 AD, after the death ofConstantius, Emperor Constantine took over. It is believed that Constantine saw Christ and heard a voice saying "in this, you conquer" before proceeding to war against Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge around 311 AD. He emerged victorious and conquered the city of Rome. The victory led to his conversion to Christianity. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine met Emperor Lucinius of the East and both signed the Edict of Milan. The decree marked the end of Christian persecution and legalized the religion. The emperor's conversion marked a new turning point in the growth of religion. Emperor Constantine allowed Christians to participate in civil life like other Roman citizens. He built churches and allowed Christians to receive donations. The acquired wealth allowed Christians to build more churches and other Christian-ruled institutions such as hospitals, schools, among others. Then religion gained more popularity. In 321 AD the day of Christian worship was declared an official day of rest. Christians were also appointed to high positions in the empire. Constantine is also known for his attempt to unite Christians. Around 325 AD Constantine participated in the Council of Nicaea which formulated the doctrine of the Trinity. In 331 AD, Emperor Constantine ordered Bishop Eusebius to bring the Bibles to the church in Constantinople. Before he died in 337 AD, Constantine was baptized into Christianity. Christianity continued to gain fame even after the death of Constantine. His children were more positive in affirming Christianity. In 341 AD pagan sacrifices were abolished. The temples were closed and the statues were removed by the Senate. However, Christianity faced another challenge when Julian took the throne. Emperor Julian supported paganism. Although paganism was almost in ruins, Julian tried to restore the temple. He also appointed pagans to high public offices unlike Constantine. Julian's reign lasted two years. He was subsequently succeeded by Jovian. Initially Jovian opposed it, claiming to be Christian. His ranks discouraged his decline but supported him throughout his reign. Through the Edict of Thessaloniki in 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity an official state religion of the Roman Empire and paganism was made illegal. The decree ordered every citizen to convert to Christianity. Although pagans were persecuted, there was no persecution as brutal as that of Christians. A year later, Theodosius issued another edict requiring Christians to worship one God according to the Nicene Creed. The decree was intended to unite Christians. Due to factors such as geographical separation, linguistic differences, political factors, doctrinal differences, among others, Christianity has split into two, the Orthodox churches and the Catholic churches. The division began between the 4th and 1st centuries after the total decline of the Roman Empire due to the barbarian invasions. During this period, Roman popes filled not only religious but also political roles. Subsequently, around 526 AD, the schism was healed. Between the 10th and 11th centuries, tension between the two groups was again felt, which led to a permanent division. Peculiar theologies and controversies developed between the 8th and 10th centuries. The best-known debate is the filioque controversy. It refers to the procession of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. Controversy and papal power were the two main reasons that led to the great schism of 1054 AD. Years later, Pope Urban II attempted to reunite the two groups of Christianity. It was when the Byzantines asked for help against Islam in a series of crusades from the 10th to the 13th century. The Crusades were religious wars between Christians and Muslims. The Christians had started wars with the intention of.