Prve kršćanske zajednice: Jeruzalem, Antiohija, Rim
First Christian communities: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome

Summary/Abstract: Christianity, having developed in a Jewish setting, quickly separated from Judaism and opened itself to the aspirations of the Greco-Roman world. This paper will explore the first Christian communities in Jerusalem, Antioch and Rome, from whence Christianity spread to the ends of the Mediterranean basin, that is to say, through the Roman Empire. Each of the aforementioned communities, which were very well respected, will be discussed with regards to the date of their foundation, the source material concerning these communities, and their prominent characteristics. In other words, this paper will discuss the spread of Christianity, with reference to the question of the triumphant campaign of the young Church from Jerusalem to Rome. After the acceptance of pagans into their communities, Christianity as a new religion began to gain importance, and the number of adherents grew quickly. The Christian community was declared an opposition to imperial government, and was already heavily repressed by the mid-1st century. The communities that survived repression sought peace; that is, collaboration between the Roman state and the “early Church”, which was seen as a new institution. The cult opened itself more and more to the outside world and different cultures, which led to the mingling of Christians and pagans, leading to many theological disputes, especially concerning the “divinity” of Jesus Christ. Between the 1st and 2nd century the beginnings of Christianity should be viewed as an organization in which commissions and administrations are present, as the number of believers grew and the need for better organization arose. The basis of the rapid expansion of Christianity in the old world should certainly be viewed in its universality. The author of this paper touches upon the question of the beginnings of Christianity in Dalmatia and Pannonia, side by side with Roman culture. Christianity was not very influential in the Roman province of Dalmatia until the mid-3rd century, even though it is likely that there were smaller Christian groups here, as well as organized Christian communities.

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