Change

Today, we associate Rome with the Catholic Church, butif you could go back in time and tell 1st century Christiansliving in Rome that their city would one day be full of ornatecrosses celebrating Jesus, they wouldn’t believe you. Theylived in an environment hostile to their faith. People aroundthem considered them members of a strange cult. They facedintense persecution. The emperor Nero falsely accused themof setting the Great Roman Fire of 64 AD and punished them by crucifying them and feeding them to dogs. The apostles Peter and Paul were martyred during Nero’s persecution. Yet by the 3rd century, Christianity had grown into the official religion of Rome. How did such a hated, powerless people become so influential?