Thus, following his conversion, Paul devoted his initial missionary efforts to Arabia1 (Gal. 1:17). Subsequently, when the Great Revolt brought Roman vengeance unto Israel, the leaders of the church in Jerusalem appear to have taken shelter in the East. Although we know precious little about how Christianity was spread in the East, we know that it was extremely successful there, soon becoming a major presence in Syria, Persia, parts of Arabia, Mesopotamia, Turkestan, Armenia, and on into India and even with several outposts in China.2 As for North Africa, it was “the most Christianized region of the Western empire,”3 home to “such great early leaders as Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustine.”4 By the year 300, it is plausible that more than half of all Christians lived in the East and Africa; in 325, 55 percent of the bishops invited to the Council of Nicaea were from the East and this did not, of course, include Montanists, Marcionites, Manichaeists, or other Eastern “heretical”
What do You think about The Triumph Of Christianity?
