Salvation Essay #6. A Brief Essay; Jesus and Salvation. “The Way” in Transition.
The early followers of Jesus referred to their faith as “The Way.” Probably this was based on Jesus’ teaching that he is “The way, truth and life.” Key and essential were Jesus teachings about “salvation” leading us through the challenges and imperfections of life, into eternal life.
The Way was born in Jerusalem and nearby surrounding areas. Peter was the leader in Jerusalem and essentially converted Jewish people to The Way…by presenting Jesus as a fulfillment of God’s promises about sending a Messiah to save them. Outside of Jerusalem, there were Jews and people of other faiths … who also heard the Christian message and became converted to The Way. Both groups were plunged into tumult.
Jerusalem Christians: Jews largely rejected Christians as heretics. Romans considered Christians a reform offshoot of Judaism. Jews also challenged Roman authority and rebelled. There was ongoing insurgency, guerrilla war, against the Romans after Jesus’ crucifixion in 33 AD. In 67 AD the Romans sent about 10,000 combat troops from Syria to seize control and restore order. They made a BIG MISTAKE. The combat troops carried equipment to build a base camp. They were NOT configured with weapons ready for fighting. Jewish insurgents ambushed them, drove them to the sea and killed about 5,800. The Romans responded by sending nearly 50,000 troops. From 67-70 AD the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem which was about five times bigger than our largest sports stadiums today! About 1.1 million people were killed and at least 100,000 were made slaves. Catapults, bladed weapons, arrows and fire! Bloody times! Imagine being an early follower of Jesus in the midst of the tumult. Israel ceased to be a nation until 1948 when Allies created and imposed a Jewish homeland.
Christians outside Hebrew lands: Paul was a Jew; NOT in Jerusalem, but in Syria. Around 36 AD, a young Christian named Stephen proclaimed his faith and some Jews became upset. The Romans retained exclusive right to decide Capital Punishment. They largely reserved this for crimes such as treason and murder. Stephen did neither. Yet a mob decided to kill Stephen for religious heresy, by stoning. Throwing stones is hard, sweaty, work so the killers removed their coats. Paul came along on a visit to Jerusalem, likely to arrest and imprison Christians and approved of the killing. Paul guarded the coats, probably from pickpockets and thieves. After the killing, Paul had a change of heart and head. He switched from being a persecutor of Christians to the most prominent missionary. His letters survive as informative writings; 13 of the 23 writings (excepting the 4 Gospels) and about 24% of the New Testament. He established at least 14 churches during 4 missionary journeys. Between 47-57 AD he traveled to Turkey, Syria, Israel, Spain, Malta, Greece, Rome, Cyprus, Malta and more!
Saint Luke was another early convert to Christianity. He was from Antioch, Turkey. He wrote 27.5% of the New Testament, including the Gospel of Saint Luke and Acts of the Apostles, which is early church history.
Many of the Jewish Christians from the Hebrew lands wanted converts to first become Jews and follow Jewish laws. Imagine telling males in the Greek, African, Roman and other Mediterranean lands that they had to be circumcised in order to become Christians! Yikes! There was no infection nor pain control. Yikes again! So The Way adapted; welcomed conversion based upon the confession of faith in Jesus who loves us and provides salvation.
Between the Roman destructive attacks upon Jerusalem, and the hard work of Saint Paul, Saint Luke, and the scores of followers….The Way largely disconnected from the Hebrew lands, transitioned to the wider Roman Empire. The message was that God’s free and unmerited grace, via Jesus, provides salvation. “Welcome!” was the inclusive format.
Then resistance to The Way began…. Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My! Fire and Gladiators too!