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Paul makes Christianity universal

A Jewish sect opens to everyone, and becomes a world religion

In depth

His letters are the oldest Christian texts we have, older than the gospels. He exploited the Roman roads, the Greek language and a network of Jewish communities in every port. Christianity then grew slowly for two centuries, chiefly in cities and among women, offering something Roman religion lacked: a community that cared for the poor and the sick.

For children

Paul travelled the whole Mediterranean founding congregations. He settled an argument that proved decisive: you did not have to become a Jew first in order to become a Christian. Without that decision Christianity would probably have remained a small group.

Connects to

Christianity begins30
The Roman roads301 BCE – 200
Christianity legalised313
The Temple falls and exile begins587 BCE

Part of Terra Saga — the story of Earth on a timeline. terrasaga.org