The Roman Empire was an expansive empire spreading across many of the Mediterranean regions. One of the striking aspects of the Roman Empire is arguably the connectivity that existed between the regions. The infrastructure that existed including roads, harbors, and the general organization within the empire was expansive making travel across the empire effective and efficient. It can also be argued that the ability to move around was also aided significantly by the notable development that the graph theory, as well as network analysis fields, played in the empire making it possible for travelers to appropriate the time as well as the distance between the different Roman Empire provinces.
The mechanism of the spread of Christianity across the Mediterranean region can be widely attributed to the connectivity of the Roman Empire. By taking the example of Paul the apostle, the spread of Christianity can better be understood in connection to the connectivity of the Roman Empire. To begin with, after the death and ascension of Jesus, Christianity was a religion at its infancy competing with other mystery religions. Furthermore, there was intense persecution of the disciples and the newly converted Christians within the Roman Empire. The state was deeply involved in the interference of the works of the disciples and often spearheaded their persecution.
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Infrastructural connectivity
In Acts 18, Paul is shown to transverse the expansive Roman Empire moving from Athens to Corinth. Another Jew, Aquila is shown to have recently moved from Italy with Priscilla his wife. Further, Timothy and Silas are shown to have recently arrived from Macedonia. The movement between these provinces of the Roman Empire can be argued to be influenced and significantly improved by the infrastructural connectivity within the empire both through roads and sea.
Closely knit culture
Culturally, the Jews are a closely knit family. With the cultural connectivity, it was possible for the early disciples to meet with each other in every province they visited. While in some cases they did not actually know each other, cultural connectivity made it possible for them to welcome visitors with open arms especially fellow Jews who professed the Christian faith. It can be concluded that the converts largely embraced such connectivity making it easier for Paul and other disciples to spread Christianity. Evidently, this can be seen by Aquila and Priscilla welcoming Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, taking him in their house and teaching him accurately about Jesus.
The formative theologians
A critical part of the mechanism responsible for the spread of Christianity is the emergence of formative theologians. As the book of Acts clearly depicts Paul as one of the formative theologians whose part in spreading Christianity is unrivaled. During his stays in different provinces of the Roman Empire, Paul spent most of his time teaching as well as testifying to fellow Jews in synagogues as well as Greeks. As a matter of fact Acts 18:4 points out to Paul as “spending every Sabbath day reasoning in the Synagogues persuading Jews and Greeks”.
Christian persecution
As noted earlier, the early Christians were extensively persecuted. Once again the connectivity of the Roman Empire made it possible for the disciples to use this as an opportunity to spread Christianity. With Claudius ordering the Jews to move out of Rome, Paul was able to meet with Priscilla and Aquila. According to Acts 18:6, when Paul was opposed by the Jews, he shook his clothes and set out to teach the Gentiles the Good News thus Christianity was no longer a thing for Jews but had been opened up to other people.
