The Origins of Christianity from 30 A.
"The law of the excluded middle" is a maxim asserting that something is, or is not. There is no "middle" ground. A line is either straight or not straight. It cannot be partially crooked or partially straight. If this logic can be applied to the origins of Christianity you could ask, is Christianity of divine origin or of human origin? In this paper I will look at arguments for both the human and divine origins resulting in the rapid expansion of Christianity during the period from Pentecost, 30 A.D., to the insurrection of the Jews in 70 A.D.
Christianity was not a movement whose evolution was gradual. Prior to 30 A.D. there is no reference of Christians or Christianity. Christianity did not exist. Jackson (July) According to the Bible and the Acts of the Apostles a community of believers, consisting of 3,000, were baptized after a passionate speech from Peter, one of Jesus" disciples, on Pentecost. (Acts 2:41) Pentecost is the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus. "What had been a small, local movement within Judaism was transformed into a far-reaching fellowship of many different peoples, well organized and with distinctive worship." Bainton (1964, p. 47) Was this movement born of divine intervention? Some authors believe so.
During the first century Christianity exploded throughout the Mediterranean. However Jesus had only a handful of men, the apostles, who functioned as leaders of his cause. Some believe the growth seen by this faith could not have been possible without "divine intervention." During the first century the population of Jerusalem was estimated at 55,000. Further, it is estimated the Jerusalem church consisted of no fewer than 20,000. Jackson (July) Considering the place from which Christianity began, Jerusalem, provides more unusual circumstances. The Jews were considered a dangerous people. Around 50 A.D. Claudius, Caesar of Rome, expelled more than 20,000 Jews.
