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The Greco-Roman and Jewish Contributions to

the Growth of Earliest Christianity
Article January 2013

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The Greco Roman and Jewish Contributions to the Growth of

Earliest Christianity
1

Emeka C. Ekeke

Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Calabar, Calabar.

Email: revekekemekus@yahoo.com

Abstract
The emergence of Christianity in the Greco-Roman world was one of the most outstanding things that happened
in that era. It occurred at the most appropriate time in history, but was misunderstood and persecuted by those
who eventually contributed to its growth and development. This paper examined the contributions of the Greco
Roman and Jewish world to the growth of Christianity. It showed that the Greeks contributed their culture which
gave Christianity its languageGreek, the language of its writings. The Romans, with their outstanding political
setup, helped Christianity to grow. The Jews on the other hand contributed their religion to the growth of
Christianity. The paper concludes that God prepared the world to receive both Jesus and his church. Neither
before nor after that time was the world ever in such a state.

Keywords
greeks contributions; romans contributions; jewish contributions; growth; development of christianity

1. Introduction

Christianity, and at times a bitter persecutor, yet it was in

many ways the grandest preparation and in some ways
the best ally of Christianity. The Caesarswhatever they
may have been or done prepared the way of the Lord.

Christianity did not appear in an empty world;

rather, it started in a world with humans who had their
cultures and distinct religious lives. Politically,
economically and culturally speaking, the establishment
of the Roman Empire was one of the most outstanding
and the grandest political achievement of the turn of the
century. A careful comparison of the various achievements of men like Alexander the Great, Charlemagne and
Napoleon Bonaparte, one will have no option but to
conclude that the structures established by Julius Caesar
and his successor Augustus Caesar surpass them all.
During the reign of Emperor Augustus a child was born to
a poor Jewish family who came from the lineage of David.
This child was named Jesus. He was to rule a kingdom far
greater than all the kingdoms of the world put together
including that of the Caesars. Lica (2012 p.2) explains that
it is a striking fact that almost synchronous with the
planting of the Roman Empire Christianity appeared in
the world. Although on a superficial glance the Roman
Empire may seem the greatest enemy of early

From time immemorial, the first-century

Christians has always applauded their faith that the
world was already prepared for it. Perhaps the
unstoppable spread and growth of the Christian faith

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Many aspects in our contemporary society have

been affected influentially by ancient Roman, Greek and
Jewish ingredients culturally, socially, religiously and
otherwise. Creation of law and justice; development of
democratic government practices; influences in different
languages, literature, arts and infrastructure; and city
planning are all the various areas where this influence of
Roman ideas is evident. Roman influences, as well as
Greek and Jewish, have had considerable importance in
the spread of Christianity. The popular adage all roads
lead to Rome has so much to say on what Rome has
bequeathed to the Western civilization.

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have confirmed such claims and have made it a reality.

In this paper, this researcher sees the Greco-Roman as
those countries that are directly or indirectly
influenced by the culture, language, religion and
governmental policies of ancient States of Rome and
Greece.
In the context of this discussion, contributions are
the different ways, aspects and means through which
the Romans, Greeks, and Jews assisted in the growth and
spread of the earliest Christianity or Christianity of the
Stone Age. Just like the Romans assisted legally and
politically, the Greeks assisted culturally and
intellectually since they were so rich in cultural heritage
and arts. The Jews however gave alms to early
Christianity through their strict observance of the laws
of YAWEH; they laid the foundations of the Old
Testament as civilization has modified it. Details of these
various contributions are our concern in this paper. The
earliest or early Christianity has to do with Christianity
practiced in the first, second and third centuries even
down to the fifth century. This was the recorded
beginning of Christianity as a missionary religion; these
nationsGreeks, Romans, and Jews-gave this new
religion taste and shelter that enhanced its spread as to
what is obtainable in our society today and the world at
large.

2. Roman Contributions to Early Christianity

It should be noted that it was not as a result of a
mere coincidence or accident that the gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ was freely expressed in the Roman Empire.
Kelly (1967: p.1) explains that the stage had been set
and planned by the almighty God who directed and
prepared the world for these events. Various
instruments have been used to prepare for the birth of
Christianity. In the Roman Empire, various institutions
were used as indicated below.

2.1 Legal Contribution

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was a strong legal preparation. Ajah (1989) explains that

during this time,
[t]he Romans were the policeman of the world and made sure
there was no uprising, lawlessness or bloodshed anywhere.
Not even the local governments or the native laws and customs
of any people could exert capital punishment-all cases
affecting human lives had to be sanctioned by Rome (p. 10).

The age in which the Church was founded in the world

was specially prepared and arranged by God through the
establishment of special government such as the Roman
government for law and order so that the then known
world could have one law. Thus, all the world was under
one law and one judge (Ajah 1989, p.9). With this
system, the gospel preachers could feel at home
anywhere they went, and they had safety. This is why Paul
and all the gospel preachers traveled around the world
preaching the gospel and every molestation quailed.
In the early period, the church had an empire-wide
structure of government; all the authorities within it
were local in command and character. The monarchial
bishops in large cities exercised ultimate power of
governance in the areas under their control. But all that
changed when Constantine ascended the throne.
Boer (1976) writing in his book A Short History of
the Early Church confirms that:
[t]hree years after Constantine became emperor in the west,
he called a synod to meet in the west, in Arles, Gaul, to
represent the whole of the West. Its purpose was mainly to deal
with the Donatist troubles in North Africa. Eleven (11) years
later, the same emperor called the first ecumenical council in
Nicaea, from then on, holding of councils became common in
the life of the church they became important factors in
creating common belief, unity and order in the church (p.135).

During the first period of the history of the church, all

matters of government, doctrinal issues, internal
misunderstandings and matters of worship were settled
by the church. The state and its emperor however had
nothing to say about whatever went on within the
church.

Religion was indeed vital to Romans. Within the

empire, Christianity was illegal and, therefore, banned,
and Christians were severely punished. Before the
emergence of Christianity in the Roman Empire, there

The emperors that reigned before Constantine

knew the importance of religion for the unity of their

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empire and Constantine was not an exception; he saw

this as clearly as they did. Constantine followed the steps
of his predecessors in the same policy but with one
outstanding difference. Boer (1976) further explains:

others, in return for military protection. These alienated tithes

Gregory VII tried to recover but his need for help of the nobles
against the emperor forced him to stay his hand, (Medley 2005,
p. 25)

For the earlier Emperors, Roman religion was the unifying factor
that they encouraged, for Constantine, it was Christianity. The
pagan emperors built pagan temples, Constantine built
churches and edifies for Christian worship (p. 138).

Another source of church wealth and finance was what

some pious men had bequeathed to the church after
their death. Whenever the clergy are at the death bed of
any rich church member, it was an opportunity to receive
any bequeath that may show itself in such occasion.

The deep and far-reaching consequences of the

relationship between Constantine and the church which
Constantine introduced himself began almost from the
time of his victory over Maxentius in October 312. A few
months later, he helped the church settle what is known as
the Donatist controversy which marked the beginning of
the relationship between Constantine and the Christian
church. The church and Constantine therefore had a cordial
relationship as a result of Augustines teaching concerning
the church and suppression by the government.
Commenting on the church and the empire, Medley
(2005) posits that
demanding the permission of the Pope for any such levy, this
does not mean that he clergy escaped taxation at the hands of
the state. It merely means that while the Pope themselves
heavily taxed them for purposes which it was often difficult to
describe as religious, the price paid by the crowd for leave to
the tax the clergy was that large portion of the money should
find its way to Rome (p. 26).

Even with the sudden acceptance of Christianity by

Emperor Constantine, the church, however, did not
depend solely on the emperor for the day-to-day
financing of the churchs affairs. The church, however,
had several other sources of wealth. The laity
contributed to the needs of the church; the church also
had hands that generated revenues for it. Chief
permanent sources of money to the church were tithes,
both the lesser tithes on corn, wine, animals, vegetables,
and fruits. Other sources of revenue for the church came
from some abandoned women, some beggars, soldiers
and some classes of traders through their tithes and
offerings. Medley (2005) argues thus:

Any purchase by somebody who lays claim to any

property or any form of financial arrangement agreed
with those fighting the crusade war became
advantageous to the laymen who used it as spring board
to raise fund for the military expeditions in the name of
God. They also received individualized cash in the form
of gifts or as a thank-offering in every form of ceremony
be it baptism, burial ceremony or extreme unction. The
priests were the people who could carry out these
religious ceremonies without appropriate negotiation of
the fee involved. This made the churchs wealth to
increase by the day.
Through the conversion of Constantine, many
practices that were inhuman and immoral ceased in the
empire; although this conversion of his is not recorded as
complete or total, it was however as part of fulfillment of
the gospel on his part to pave the way for this new
religion to spread all over his immediate empire and the
world at large. Constantine had two remarkable experiences that convinced him of the truth of Christianity
and altered the course of his life. He was directed in his
dream to mark the heavenly sign of God on the shield
of his soldiers. This he did using the Chi-Rho symbol,
which is the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.

Most of the tithes had fallen into the hands of layman by gifts
from kings to feudal tenants or from bishops to nobles and

He recorded good success after obedience to the

God of the Christians and from then onwards
Constantine saw and addressed himself as a Christian
after the complete victory at Milvian Bridge outside
Rome in AD 312. He became the emperor of the western
part of the empire; he fully credited his huge victory to
the God of the Christians, He had challenged the
Christian God and that God had kept his pledge.
Therefore after his victory at the Milvian Bridge his

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attitude toward Christianity changed. State sacrifices to

the various gods were discontinued and he gave the
church a position of favor as he was disposed to a
humanitarian policy that brought reforms which
suggested a genuine concern.

religion which they all felt could bring them a message

of love and a better life in the turbulent world that they
fancied so much. Constantine again held the
degenerating empire together by creating a new capital,
Byzantium.

He allowed the people to have freedom of worship

and freedom of movement and this gave the Christians
equal rights with the pagans and non-Christian Jews. All
belongings confiscated during the persecution were
returned to Christians. This ruling of Emperor
Constantine is usually known and addressed as The Edict
of Milan (33). Constantine along with his devout mother,
named Helena, spearheaded the erection of new and
very expensive structures and edifices for worship. Boer
(1976) argues that,

He likewise adopted judicial protection for the poor,

and he curbed inflation under Theodosius 1. The
acceptance of Christianity and religious reformation in
the Roman Empire constituted a force which disrupted
the empire; when the disasters in the Roman Empire
made life insecure and unbearable, men turned away
from the civic gods which they made and believed it had
some connection with political misfortunes to the new
religious concepts which were identified with Christian
religion. The continuous wars, economic distress, and
social revivification witnessed by the Romans during
crisis of the third century prompted many to develop
unpatriotic and disloyal attitude towards the emperor
and the Roman state; they had no other option than to
join Christians (8). Thus, Christianity had many converts
and it spread all through the empire.

Before the year 400, there were forty large churches in the city
of Rome alone. Within the churches, religious ceremony
became more complicated form. The architects, musicians,
artists, designers of furniture, vestments and metal ware, the
composers of hymn and liturgies now found new means to
express their faith, not only spiritually but outwardly with
appeal to eye, ear and imagination (Boer 1976, p. 141)

Constantine also legalized Sundays as Christian worship

day and rest. Although this was in line with pagan
practices, it was however, accepted by the church and
other country people. It should also be noted that
Constantine did not elate his legislation to Christian
practice or to the fourth commandment. He also selected
Sunday in its traditional and original pagan religious
name, the day of the sun, not the Sabbath or the day of
the Lord. It was accepted by the pagans and even the
Christians. Boer (1976) explains it clearer thus:
Christians gave the natural sun a new meaning by thinking of
Christ the Sun of Righteousness. Both Constantine and later
emperors, as well as church councils, enacted additional
Sunday legislation, it was Constantines decree of 321 however,
that laid the basis for the universal recognition of Sunday as a
day of rest in the Christian community, public worship was the
chief activity on Sunday selections were read from the
Gospels and the Epistles. Sometimes, selections were read from
the prophets. The Psalms were also sung . . . (Boer 1976, p. 143)

Geoffrey (1992) also holds the view that because of

the warm treatment Constantine showered on the
Christians, this attracted many pagans to Christianity so
as to enjoy some benefits the Christians enjoyed through
Constantines reign (p. 35).
Further laws were enacted which introduced a truly Christian
morality and in which nearly every relation in human society
was altered. It was forbidden to brand slaves and criminals on
the face because men were made in image of God, crucifixion
of slaves was abolished, gladiational shows were prohibited,
unwanted babies were no longer put to death and attempts
were made to stabilize marriage by severely punishing cases of
sexual immorality (Geoffrey 1992: p. 33).

General Christianization of the empire by Emperor

Constantine caused many Romans to embrace Christian

The Christian congregation also benefited financially,

materially, and physically from the emperors patronage.
New copies of the Holy Scripture were made readily
available; various of clergymen were given positions of
state importance and were exempted from paying taxes
on their lands. This was a privilege already accorded and
enjoyed by pagan priests. Constantine also gave a fixed
proportion of the empires revenue aside for Christian
charity and alms-giving projects (Geoffrey 1992 p. 33).

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C o n sta n t i n e a l s o e n c o u ra g e d C h r i st i a n
pilgrimages to the Holy Land and his mother, Helena
restored a position of honor zealously searched for the
ancient Christian sites; according to the recorded
tradition, she discovered the true cross on which Christ
had been crucified.
They met in secret via underground tombs that
were out of sight. Christianity took another shape in AD
313 under the Edict of Milan by Emperor Constantine. He
made it a legal religion. It was no longer a thing of shame
to be called a Christian but a name with much pride. They
were granted freedom of speech and freedom of movement, decreased taxation and received grants from the
government. This edict of Emperor Constantine aided
greatly in promoting Christianity with millions of pagan
converts. In AD 391, monotheism was legalized and other
gods were seen as illegal and were destroyed (Houghton
1980, p. 56).

2.2 Contributions of Road Network

When the Roman government was constructing
their roads they had no knowledge it was going to pave
the way for the spread of Christianity. This allowed a
free passage of individuals from one place to another
and hence gave Christianity new converts. Even a
persecutor like Paul became a fervent soul winner for
the faith. The gold region of Rome added in making the
faith appealing. This study reveals that the events of the
Roman times prove beyond all reasonable doubt that
time and chance alone were not responsible for
conditions in the world between 4 B.C. and 100 A.D
(Kelly 1967, p. 2).
Speaking about the Roman road network, Ajah
(1989, p. 9) asserts that the Romans developed an
excellent system of roads radiating out from the golden
milestone in the Roman forum to all parts of the empire.
The main roads were built of concrete to serve for ages.
They went straight over hills and dale to the farthest part
of the empire.

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of the gospel and gave the faith numerous converts. The

great city of Rome was a melting point and contact of
thousands of people. These newly constructed roads
aided the missionaries activities to go on smoothly
without hindrances or obstructions of carrying the
gospel around. Settlements were free and fair with the
commercial liability in Rome, exchange of pleasantries
was a basis for a good conservation that converted
many people even foreigners who did business, in Rome
to be friendly with Christians and their teachings.
Preaching of gospel became a daily routine, and this
was widely acceptable as even the emperor made no
complaints.
At this period in history the network of roads
brought about a great interaction between different
races including what Lica (2012, p. 3) calls mutual
exchange of thought. Through this exchange of ideas
and thought various peoples in the empire could share so
much of what they had in common. Not only did they
share material things but also spiritual things. Christians
who were artisans and common traders saw this growth
and network of roads as a veritable instrument in sharing
the gospel of Jesus wherever they went. Lica (2012)
explains that these Christians while they bought and
sold the things that perish, they did not lose an
opportunity of spreading the gospel. The state of the
Roman Empire, linguistically, was favorable to the
highest degree for the spread of Christianity (p.3).
The major reasons for the building of these
networks of roads were to link the then civilized world
together. It was also to serve as highway for the Roman
legions and the imperial escort. To crown it all, it became
a highway for the gospel to reach the rest of the world.
Lica (2012) adds that they were of equal service to the
early missionaries, and when churches began to spring
up over the empire, these roads greatly facilitated that
church organization and brotherhood which
strengthened the church to overcome the empire
(p.3).

2.3 Contribution of Military Garrison

Roman road network simplified commercial

activities in the empire; the roads linked various cities,
continents and settlements and aided the rapid spread

This was the instrument of making law, peace

and order. Many of the soldiers were converted to

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Christianity and they took the Gospel to their various

stations when posting requires them to do so (Boer
1976, p. 52).
In Rome, the military men worked based on the
laws and principles given by Constantine, and since he
was fully in support of Christianity, they obeyed and he
had a peaceful reign which was a comfortable
atmosphere for the spread of the gospel. Thus it gave
Christianity many converts and recorded development.
There were originally no standing forces; however, the
citizens themselves preformed the military services
just like other civic duties whenever they were
summoned by their magistrate or their able emperor.
This brought about the admission of the lower class into
the ranks by Marius in 107BC. These citizens who
performed the civic duty of defending their country
were extremely loyal to their authorities; this
obedience, in turn, enabled the soldiers to adhere
strictly to the laws governing their empire, which
Christianity was one of such. They heartily accepted
this new religion as commanded by Emperor
Constantine and aided in the spread and protection of
the faith and its adherents.
Green (1995) argues that this political favor
granted by Emperor Constantine aided endlessly in the
spread of Christianity all through the empire and
recorded great success in that era (p. 102).

2.4 Pax Romana: Roman Peace

Jackson and Lake (1920) in their three-volume work
explain the Roman policy of maintaining peace around
the empire, thus

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An outstanding characteristic of the Roman Empire is

peace. Romans enjoyed peaceful living as a lifestyle.
They did not experience wars of any kind because the
military garrisons stationed in different areas stopped
them easily before they spread. It was during the reign of
Caesar Augustus that the policy of Pax Romana or
Roman Peace was inaugurated. This policy ushered in
more than two centuries of unequalled and
unprecedented stability marked by economic and
cultural growth that could not be paralleled in the history
of human history. The near absence of military conflict
during this time was behind this achievement. The peace
of Rome was a ground for the uninterruptable spread of
Christianity. It also gave room to the free flow of
travelers, traders and Christian missionaries. Freedom of
movement and safety was fully granted and it was
enjoyed by the citizens and visitors.
Jackson and Lake (1920) argue that the Roman
never interfered with those religions of their allies and
dependents which neither sanctioned practices nor
stimulated policies detrimental to the well-being of the
Commonwealth (p. 185).
It is a well known fact that any society that is
peaceful records success all the way. Rome was not an
exception, it was a peaceful empire, this peace aided
greatly in the flow of the gospel and it was a smooth
ground for Christian missionaries activities that had to
reach the ends of the earth. It is also believed that Pax
Romana was common to Rome and its environment.
Peace was an instrument that grounded the primary
basis of the fact that being all the activities that
Christianity ventured, it was predestined and this was
why the empire was peaceful for the spread of the
gospel.

[t]he reason why Pompey left so many kingdoms and

principalities still standing in Asia Minor and Syria, instead of
dividing the whole region between the Aegean and the
Euphrates, the Euxine and Arabia Petraea, into provinces
supervised and governed by proconsuls and proprietors, was
that following the traditional policy of the Republic, he thought
to make as few changes as possible, consistent with Roman
interests, and to avoid the expenditures which would have
been necessitated by a large increase in the number of
provincial governors and of the Roman armies of occupation
(p. 183)

Prior to the coming of the Romans, Alexander

the Great had spread the Grecian culture around the
world. This culture contributed to a large extent in
the expansion of Christianity in its earliest years. In
this part of the paper, a consideration is given to the
contributions of Greek to the advancement of
Christianity.

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3.1 Philosophical Contributions

elements that were also prominent in Christian

teachings (p. 93).

Alexander the Great and his military expeditions,

conquering of many nations and settlement in all the
conquered lands brought about the Hellenization of the
then world. Hellenization was the policy of spreading
Grecian culture around the world and the conversion of
all the peoples of the world into the Greek way of life.
One aspect of that culture which greatly influenced the
world was Greek philosophy. Over the years Greek
philosophy developed with a total rejection of all forms
of polytheism. Many philosophers including Plato and
others mocked and ridiculed polytheism of the masses
which were anthropomorphic and crude in nature.
Latourette (1980) avers that,

Green (1995) narrates that Hellenistic philosophy

had a complex interaction with early Christianity. This
conflict is recorded in Pauls encounters with the
epicurean and stoic philosophers in Acts 17:18, his diatribe
against Greek philosophy in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and his
warnings against philosophy in Colossians 2:8 (p.92). He
further avers that despite their differences, Christianity
spread wider and throughout the Hellenic world. An
increasing number of church leaders and officials became
educated in Greek philosophy and this aided the
development of early Christianity (Green 1995, p. 64).

Platos highest idea was strictly monotheism, although he

presented it in his own way. Goddess which some identified as a
personal creator God. Aristotle had identified a simple prime
mover that is above change and decay, and immaterial final
cause (Latourette 1980, p. 92).

He further explains that in the sixth century BC,

Xenophanes another Greek philosopher declares that
many gods exist according to custom but only one true
God exist according to nature (p. 98).
Plato also held the view that there are two
worlds; the visible world and the invisible world. The
visible world is the shadow of the real world. He
further stressed that reality is not temporal, but it is
spiritual and eternal. This idea of Plato favors
Christianity and its teachings of heaven and earth and
also the Trinity. Another Hellenistic philosopher,
whose view, though not Christian, but was a rejection
of the pantheistic religious ideology of the time, was
Plotinus. Griffith-Dickson (2005) explains that he
speaks of The One who does not create the world
the way the Jewish, Christian or Muslim God does.
Instead, timelessly rather than at a point in time, it
overflows (p. 125).

However, the dominant philosophical tradition of

the Greco-Roman world during this era was mainly
stoicism. This philosophy according to Starr (1991)
taught that destructive emotions resulted from errors in
judgment and that a moral or intellectually perfect
person would not suffer such emotions. Stoics are
concerned with the active relationship between cosmic
determination and human freedom and the belief that it
is virtuous to maintain a will called prohairesis that is
according with nature. Stoics made their philosophy
their way of life. They believed in an individual behavior
and not ordinary words (Starr 1991, p. 66). Platonism
affirms to the existence of abstract objects which exist
in a third realm distinct both from the sensible external
world and from the internal world of consciousness. This
is the opposite of norminalism.
Christianity simply accepted Platos teaching and
incorporated it as it conforms to some biblical teachings
and epicureanism (the belief that pleasure is the greatest
good but achieved through modesty. This was part of
Christian ethics and Christian theology.
Clement of Alexandria, one early-second-century
writer demonstrated Greek thought in learning and in
writing.

The most acceptable apex of this influence of

adopted Greek philosophy in Roman Empire was
stoicism. Shelley (2008) defines Stoicism as the system
of thought that the fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man and held to a high code of ethics,

Philosophy has been given to the Greek as their own kind of

covenant, their foundation for the philosophy of Christ the
philosophy of the Greeks contained the basic elements of that
genuine and perfect knowledge which is higher than human
even those spiritual objects (Shelley 2008, p. 56).

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The fusion of Platonic and Aristotelian theology with

Christianity that brought about the concept of strict
omnipotence, omniscience or benevolence became well
known and understood. This shaped early Christian
thought and gave tasty ingredients to the faith.
Geoffrey (1992) is of the view that Greco-centrism
held a popular view that the earth was the center of the
universe and the sun, moon and stars revolve round the
earth. Propounded by Ptolemy, a Greek with fusion of
Greek and Hebrew thought couple with the rise of
Catholic Church. Geocentric thought was accepted into
church theological thought (Geoffrey 1992, p. 93).

3.2 Cultural Contribution

The Greeks were full of cultural heritage as part of
their history. In conquering the Hellenistic world, the
Romans absorbed and adapted numerous facets of that
era of civilization. Language was the leading factor and
the most important of this adaptation. Geoffrey (1992)
concludes that Alexander the Great had made
vernacular Greek, Koine, the common tongue of the east,
under the Roman Empire. It became the common tongue
of the west (p.94). This utmost presence of a nearly
universal language of communication and exchange of
ideas meant Christianity could spread rapidly. Since this
new sect used this language in writing, passing on of
ideas was also enhanced by this language and its very
nature. Geoffrey (1992) further explains that the
language was already equipped with a large
philosophical and theological vocabulary which made it
especially suited to the spread of a religious message
(p.61). The Greeks are known worldwide as people with a
very rich cultural heritage. This is reflected in their art
work, exhibitions, art and crafts, portraits, dress code,
language, houses and structures, architecture, food
dishes and worship. All these styles and ways of life
favored the Christians although some were modified.

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and imbibed some of its teachings and practices, just the

ones that were favorable, however. Greek culture favored
most of Christian teachings, which drew many converts to
the faith and made it a popular religion. Christianity and
Greek culture did not conflict; they were rather
complementary and suited their environment. The
languages spoken by the Greeks ware also considerable
to the new faith and they understood it; it however aided
in disseminating the gospel. It was a vital element of the
Greek culture that also favored the new faith.
The lifestyle of the Greeks as part of their culture
also favored the Christian faith. The Greeks were
hospitable and friendly. They happily accepted the new
faith and lived peacefully with Christians. They had a free
lifestyle devoid of hatred for their fellow humans. This
was a good atmosphere for the spread of the gospel and
acceptance of the faith.

4. Jewish Contributions to Early Christianity

God greatly used the nation of Israel to prepare the
world for the arrival of the young religion Christianity
which was about to shake the world. The scripture
explains: But when the time had fully come, God sent
his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem
those under law, that we might receive the full rights of
sons ( Gal 4, 4,5 NIV). The Jewish nation became a
veritable tool through which God passed to bring to birth
his Son and eventually the Church. This part of the paper
looks at the various contributions of Jewish nation to the
establishment and growth of earliest Christianity.

4.1 Biblical (Old Testament) contribution

Culture is manmade, not static; it is unique, and this

means that every culture passes through changes and
modifications as it interacts with other cultures, and
some form of it gives way to newer cultures and blends
with it, which is known as acculturation. Christianity did
not fall into a dry land; it interacted with different cultures

Jews held the view that their God never keeps the
truth far away from them. He had always revealed the
truth in every circumstance they face. They do not search
aimlessly for this truth, it has been revealed to them
through the help of the scriptures Torah. These holy
sacred writings are made available in Greek and Hebrew
languages which were very common (Duke 2010, p. 16).
The Jews believed the Old Testament was solely given
solely to them. They adhered strictly to these laws of
YAWEH and offenders were severely punished. This
aided in developing the Christian faith.

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The greatest heritage Christianity derived from

Judaism was the Old Testament. These thirty-nine books
are highly valued and preserved by the Jews. Josephus,
one of the greatest Jewish historians affirms this when he
says:
How firmly we have given credit to those books of our own
nation is evident by what we do; for during so many ages as
have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add
anything to them or take anything from them, or to make any
change in them; but it becomes natural to all Jews,
immediately and from their very birth, to esteem those books
to contain divine doctrines, and to persist in them, and, if
occasion be, willingly to die for them. (Josephus 1987, p. 398).

4.2 Jewish Religious Contributions

Jewish strict monotheism contrasts other religious
sect in the Roman world. They worshiped in extreme
confidence what they considered the true God. They also
had covenants with the true God which strengthened
their relationship with him.
They were expecting a political messiah that would
conquer their enemies but Jesus was too humble to be
called their Messiah. Their culture, language, and
religion were strictly founded on their moral code based
on the standards and teachings of the Ten
Commandments and Jewish law. Sacrifice of atonement
was possible for anyone who faulted. Christians taught
that Jesus, the Savior of the world, had fulfilled the
requirement of purifying sins of all mankind through the
salvation event of crucifixion. They believed greatly on
Sabbath observation and alms-giving which Christianity
incorporated, and it developed Christian thought.
During the era of Babylonian captivity people were
not allowed entrance into the Temple to worship
because the Temple was destroyed. So synagogue
worship was instituted to aid the worship of YAWEH.
Regularity was evident in singing, worshipping, and
reading from Holy Scriptures. Synagogue of the Jews thus
became the preaching house of early Christians and it
helped in spreading the gospel.

OF SOCIAL ISSUES AND HUMANITIES

Scriptures into Greek via Septuagint (LXX). This impacted

greatly in the literary traditions and developed
Christianity with thousands of converts to the faith.
Duke (2010) argues that the Jewish religion was not
a flexible one. They practiced strict monotheism, with no
interference of any sort. But Christianity adopted their
style of worshipping one true God but practiced a rather
f l e x i b l e m o n o t h e i s m g i v i n g r o o m fo r t h e
accommodation of the Trinity (p. 67).
The Jews observed strictly the laws of YAWEH as
given to them in the Torah. They believed that YAWEH
does not compromise with humans and humans could
incur his wrath if they did not follow his teachings
accordingly. YAWEH was a God of justice. But Christianity
of the New Testament sees God as a merciful God who
tolerates all human actions, forgives and gives all a
second chance. The Jews, however, gave the basis for the
strict observance of the biblical principles and obedience
to the sayings of the prophets. This is still evident despite
thousands of denominations in the Christian faith; the
Bible is the literary book used. The biblical
interpretations of the laws of God by the Jews aided the
spiritual development of early Christianity; their strict
obedience to YAWEHs laws gave rise to intense Christian
living in the early church, although still practiced today.

5. Conclusion
At the start of the first century, the Greco-Roman
world was very polytheistic. During this period, people so
believed in all forms of gods and goddesses. The Jews
were the major exceptions to this because of their belief
in a sole God, JHWH, and a few other sects, such as the
dualist Zoroastrians.

There was dialogue between Hellenistic culture and

civilization. This began with translation of the Hebrew

Christianity was, therefore, born in a world where

religion was fully tolerated in the Greco-Roman world. So
many preparations were made that led to the growth
and development of Christianity. In this paper, it was
submitted that the Greeks contributed philosophically
and culturally to the development of Christianity, while
the Romans with their network of roads, law, and policy
of Pax Romana (Roman Peace) and garrison of Roman
legion enabled Christianity to develop. Finally, the

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OF SOCIAL ISSUES AND HUMANITIES

researcher submitted that the Jewish people with their

religion became the immediate cornerstone that
strengthened Christianity and enabled it to grow.

10.

Although the new religion was not universally

accepted at the early stage, Constantine the Great made
positive reforms that rebranded Christianity and
legalized its existence with his Edict of Milan in AD 313.
Christians, like any other sects, were subjected to
martyrdom, hatred, criticism and persecutions. In spite
of all these hindrances and obstacles in sight, Christianity
rapidly spread in the Roman Empire and the entire world.

11.

A part of the various reasons for its proliferation was

its historical context surrounding its birth, ranging from
political influence of the Romans, intellectual influence
and cultural prowess of the Greeks and the religious
contributions of the Jewish nation. These influences
cannot be overemphasized. They have rebranded,
reshaped and seasoned Christianity to what it is in our
contemporary world. Although still undergoing change
as every culture adapts and readjusts it teachings to suit
its present situation, the real essence and practice of
Christianity has not been lost.

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