Peculiar Christianity in the Love of God’s People

There are sociological reasons/factors that contributed to the spread of Christianity in the 1st century. Among them is the Pax Romana, which facilitated the message to be preached in Rome. Also, the advantage of the formation of Koine Greek. It was the language of commerce. The disciples were able to communicate in the language of the people. There is however, one substantial concept that outweighed all other ingredients to the success of the gospel in the years following Christ’s ascension, and it was the love of God’s people. I am aware that this concept has a bad connotation in our Christian environment, which can even at times be equated with anti-intellectualism. But allow me to dismantle that concept and prove the strength of love in bringing the pagan to Christ. It was out of all people Julian the Apostate who wrote that “the Christians support their own poor but also the poor pagan.” Notice that their love even compelled pagans to admit the unthinkable. Remember that to hear Julian say that is equivalent to hearing Marilyn Manson praising Christianity. It is a fearful thing to love those who hate you, because in turn God’s grace may operate in powerful ways.