Origins of Christianity: Where Do Christianity Come From Explained

Alright, let's tackle this head-on. You typed in "where do christianity come from" – probably curious about this massive faith that shaped our world. Was it a sudden invention? Did it pop up out of nowhere? Honestly, it’s way messier and more fascinating than that. I remember sitting in a dusty old library years ago, surrounded by ancient texts, trying to stitch this very story together. It’s not just names and dates; it’s about real people, wild hopes, brutal politics, and a message that somehow spread like wildfire. Forget polished sermons for a sec; picture fishermen, tax collectors, and tentmakers caught up in something world-changing. So, where do christianity come from exactly? Grab a coffee (or tea!), we're diving deep.

The Ground Zero: Judea Under Roman Boots

Christianity didn't land like an alien spaceship. Its cradle was 1st-century Judea. Imagine a place buzzing with religious fervor, simmering anger against Roman occupation, and lots of different Jewish groups arguing fiercely about God, scripture, and freedom. Think Zealots itching for revolt, Pharisees focused on strict law-keeping, Essenes out in the desert writing scrolls. It was intense. Into this pressure cooker stepped a Jewish teacher from Nazareth: Jesus of Nazareth. His message – about God's kingdom arriving, loving enemies, caring for the poor – sparked hope but also controversy.

His execution by crucifixion (a brutal Roman punishment reserved for rebels and slaves) around 30-33 AD seemed like the end. But then... his followers claimed something earth-shattering: he had risen from the dead. This belief in the Resurrection became the absolute bedrock for where do christianity come from. Without it, there’s no movement. Full stop. Those first terrified disciples transformed into bold proclaimers overnight. They were convinced Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (Christos in Greek, hence "Christianity"), but not the conquering king many expected – a suffering servant who defeated death itself. This was radical stuff within Judaism.

Jerusalem: The First Messy Church

So, where do christians come from initially? Right in Jerusalem. The earliest followers, all Jewish, saw themselves as part of Judaism. They kept Torah, prayed at the Temple. But they also met in homes, sharing meals ("breaking bread"), pooling resources, and constantly talking about Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Key figures? Peter, a blunt fisherman turned leader, and James, Jesus’ brother, known for his deep piety. It was tight-knit, passionate, and frankly, a bit chaotic. Persecution started early too, especially from Jewish authorities who saw these Jesus-followers as dangerous heretics. Stephen became the first martyr – stoned to death. That persecution actually scattered believers, spreading the message further, ironically.

The Game Changer: Paul and the Unexpected Explosion

Okay, here's the plot twist that absolutely changed everything. Enter Saul of Tarsus. A zealous Pharisee who viciously persecuted these early Jesus-followers. Then, on the road to Damascus... boom. A blinding light, a voice claiming to be Jesus, total life overhaul. Saul becomes Paul, arguably the most influential figure after Jesus in explaining where christianity come from as a distinct faith. Paul had a huge insight: this message about Jesus wasn't *just* for Jews adhering to the full Mosaic law (like circumcision, dietary rules). It was for everyone – Gentiles included. Salvation came through faith in Christ, not law-keeping.

This was revolutionary, and frankly, controversial as heck. Paul spent decades crisscrossing the Roman Empire planting communities (churches) in major cities like Ephesus, Corinth, Philippi, and Rome itself. He wrote letters (epistles) to these groups – arguing theology, solving disputes, offering encouragement. These letters form a huge chunk of our New Testament. Paul’s missionary journeys effectively transformed a small Jewish sect into a rapidly growing, multi-ethnic movement across the Mediterranean world. Without Paul, Christianity might have remained a small footnote within Judaism. His drive was unbelievable, even when facing beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment. I often wonder how exhausting it must have been!

The Big Split: When Christianity and Judaism Parted Ways

So, when did Christianity officially break from Judaism? It wasn't a clean, single event. More like a painful, gradual divorce over several decades. Arguments raged:

• Do Gentile converts need to become Jewish first? (Circumcision? Kosher food?) The big council in Jerusalem (around 50 AD, Acts 15) said "No" to requiring full conversion, siding with Paul.
• Was Jesus the Messiah? Mainstream Judaism increasingly said "No."
• The Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD: This catastrophic event, when Romans crushed a Jewish revolt and destroyed Jerusalem's Temple, was pivotal. Judaism had to radically reinvent itself without its central sanctuary. The Jesus-following movement, which increasingly saw Jesus himself as the ultimate Temple and sacrifice, was already on a different path. Leadership shifted away from Jerusalem. By the end of the 1st century, the split was pretty much complete. Christians were worshipping separately, reading their own scriptures (Old Testament plus new writings about Jesus), and facing Roman suspicion not as a Jewish subgroup, but as their own "superstition."

It wasn't happy. Think family feud on a cosmic scale, with centuries of painful history to follow.

Surviving and Defining: The Crucial First Centuries

Okay, it’s spreading, but how did this fledgling movement survive Roman hostility and define itself? The first few hundred years were critical – and brutal.

Persecution: Romans generally tolerated religions, but Christians were trouble. Why? They refused to worship the emperor as a god (treason!), met secretly (suspicious!), were accused of wild rumors (cannibalism from misunderstood communion talk!), and seemed to reject the old gods (atheists!). Persecution flared up sporadically but intensely under emperors like Nero (who famously blamed Christians for Rome's fire), Domitian, and later Decius and Diocletian. Martyrdom stories became powerful inspiration within the church. It’s sobering to read accounts of ordinary people choosing death over renouncing Christ. Makes you think about conviction.

Defending the Faith (& Defining Doctrine): As the faith spread, tricky questions popped up. How could Jesus be both God and man? What's the Trinity? How does the Old Testament relate? Intellectuals within the church, called Apologists (like Justin Martyr) defended Christianity against pagan critics. Later, Church Fathers (like Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, Augustine) wrestled with heresies threatening to split the church. Major controversies included:

• Gnosticism: Claimed secret knowledge; saw physical world as evil, denying Jesus' true humanity. Felt elitist and detached from the gritty reality of the Gospels.
• Arianism: Argued Jesus was a created being, not fully God. This sparked the massive Council of Nicaea (325 AD) called by Constantine, which produced the Nicene Creed affirming Jesus as "true God from true God." The debates were fierce, sometimes physical!

These arguments weren't just academic hair-splitting. They were about the core identity of the faith: who is Jesus, and what did he accomplish? Getting it wrong meant, in their view, losing the gospel itself. The pressure was immense.

The Emperor Changes Everything: Constantine and Christendom

This is maybe the most shocking turn. After centuries of being outlawed, persecuted, and marginalized... Christianity gets adopted by the Emperor himself. Constantine the Great, before the Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 AD), reportedly saw a vision of the Chi-Rho symbol (☧, representing Christ) and heard "In this sign, conquer." He won, credited Christ, and issued the Edict of Milan (313 AD), granting religious toleration. Later emperors (especially Theodosius I) made Christianity the official state religion.

This was a double-edged sword.

• The Good: Persecution stopped instantly. Churches flourished. Resources poured in. The Emperor supported huge church-building projects (like the original St. Peter's in Rome, Hagia Sophia in Constantinople). Christianity moved from catacombs to cathedrals. Theologians had imperial backing for councils to settle disputes (like Nicaea).
• The Not-So-Good: Mass conversions (often superficial) diluted commitment. Politics and power corrupted church leadership. The church became entangled with the state apparatus. Persecution flipped – now pagans and heretics faced suppression. The simplicity of the early communities felt long gone. Sometimes I think Constantine's conversion might have been the best and worst thing to happen simultaneously.

So, where do christianity come from politically? It became intertwined with imperial power, shaping its structure (bishops gaining secular authority), its reach (now backed by the state), and sadly, sometimes its spirit. The seeds of the medieval Catholic Church and the Byzantine Orthodox Church were planted firmly in this era.

Cementing the Foundation: The Bible Comes Together

One huge question people asking "where do christianity come from" have is: where did the Bible come from? It wasn't handed down complete. The early church had the Jewish scriptures (the Old Testament, read through the lens of Christ). Gradually, writings about Jesus and letters from apostles gained authority.

How did they decide what was "Scripture"? Several factors:

• Apostolic Origin/Connection: Was it written by an apostle (Matthew, John, Paul, Peter) or someone close to them (Mark linked to Peter, Luke linked to Paul)?
• Orthodox Teaching: Did it align with the core message passed down from the beginning?
• Widespread Use: Was it read and valued across major church communities?

It took centuries. Disputes happened (was Hebrews by Paul? Should Revelation be included?). Key moments:

• Marcion (mid-2nd c.) tried to ditch the Old Testament and most New Testament writings; the church responded by clarifying the canon.
• Church Fathers like Irenaeus argued for the four Gospels.
• The Muratorian Fragment (late 2nd c.) lists most NT books.
• Debates continued on books like Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude, Revelation.
• Athanasius' Festal Letter (367 AD) lists the 27 books we know as the New Testament.
• Councils like Carthage (397 AD) ratified similar lists.

It wasn't a top-down decree by a single council early on, but a process guided by the Holy Spirit within the living community of faith, recognizing what had already proven authoritative. The Old Testament canon was also solidified during this period by Jewish scholars at Jamnia (c. 90 AD), largely adopted by Christians.

Your Burning Questions Answered: Where Does Christianity Come From? FAQ

People searching about where christianity come from usually have specific follow-ups. Here are the common ones I've wrestled with myself:

Was Jesus trying to start a new religion?

Honestly? Probably not in the way we think of distinct religions today. Jesus was a devout Jew speaking to Jews. His mission was within Judaism – announcing God's kingdom, calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness. He saw himself fulfilling Jewish hopes. The early church saw itself as the renewed Israel. The separation into Christianity happened gradually after his death and resurrection, mainly because the wider Jewish community rejected the claim that Jesus was the Messiah/Risen Lord, and because the Gentile mission took center stage. It was an outcome shaped by events, not necessarily Jesus' initial intent for a new institutional structure.

Did Christianity steal from pagan religions?

This pops up a lot online. Short answer: No, not in its core doctrines. Claims that Jesus is just a copy of Osiris, Mithras, or Dionysus are based on outdated scholarship or serious misunderstandings. The timing is usually off (the supposed parallels often come *after* Christianity was established), and the supposed similarities (like dying and rising gods) are usually superficial or misrepresented when you look at the actual pagan myths. Christianity arose in a specific Jewish context, rooted in Jewish concepts of Messiah, monotheism, and resurrection (which was unique). Did later Christians sometimes adopt pagan festival dates (like Christmas near Saturnalia) or artistic motifs? Sure, as contextualization. But the core story of Jesus – his life, death, resurrection, and claims – is unique and rooted in 1st-century Palestine.

Why did Rome adopt Christianity?

Constantine's personal conversion experience was key. But why did it stick and become official? Several practical reasons:

• Unifying Force: The empire was vast and fractured. Christianity offered a single, powerful unifying belief system and moral code.
• Organizational Structure: The church already had a robust network of bishops across cities – a ready-made administrative structure Constantine could potentially leverage.
• Growing Popularity: Despite persecution, Christianity had spread widely across all classes. Adopting it became politically astute.
• Shift in Religious Climate: Paganism was declining; people were seeking more personal, ethical religions. Christianity offered answers about life, death, and purpose.

Theodosius I made it the *only* legal religion because he genuinely believed it was true and wanted to suppress paganism entirely.

What were the earliest Christian beliefs?

Based on the earliest sources (like Paul's undisputed letters written 20-30 years after Jesus), the bedrock beliefs were shockingly simple compared to later complexities:

1. Jesus was the Messiah (Christ) promised to Israel.
2. He was crucified for human sins.
3. God raised him bodily from the dead (Resurrection).
4. He was exalted to God's right hand as Lord.
5. He would return soon to judge and establish God's kingdom fully.
6. Salvation (forgiveness, new life, future resurrection) comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
7. Baptism marked entry into the community.
8. Communion ("Lord's Supper") remembered Jesus' death and anticipated his return.

Everything else – detailed Trinitarian theology, complex views of atonement, church hierarchy – developed over time as they wrestled with Scripture and faced challenges.

What are the earliest sources for Christianity?

Want to get close to where christianity come from? Go to the earliest writings:

• Paul's Letters: Especially the undisputed ones (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon). Written 50s-60s AD – closest to the events. Raw theology and church issues.
• Mark's Gospel: Generally considered the first gospel written, around 65-70 AD. Fast-paced, emphasizes Jesus' suffering and identity as Son of God.
• Q Source (hypothetical): Material common to Matthew and Luke but not in Mark. Believed to be an early collection of Jesus' sayings.
• Early Creeds/Formulas: Passages Paul quotes that were already established confessions (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - "Christ died...was buried...rose...appeared"; Philippians 2:6-11 - Christ Hymn). These predate Paul's letters.
• Acts of the Apostles: Written by Luke, probably early 80s AD? Chronicles the early church from Jerusalem to Paul's ministry.

Non-Christian sources like Tacitus (Annals, early 2nd c.), Josephus (Antiquities, late 1st c. - though the famous "Testimonium Flavianum" is disputed), Pliny the Younger (Letter about Christians to Trajan, c. 112 AD) provide brief but valuable external confirmation of early Christian existence and beliefs.

The Journey Continues: From Then to Now

Understanding where do christianity come from isn't just ancient history. That messy birth in Judea, transformed by Paul, defined through persecution and debate, and ultimately adopted by Rome, set trajectories that echo today:

• Major Branches: The Great Schism (1054) split Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) Christianity. The Protestant Reformation (16th century) further diversified the landscape.
• Global Spread: From its Middle Eastern roots, Christianity spread throughout Europe, then via exploration and mission to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It’s now the world's largest religion, though declining in its historical Western heartlands.
• Enduring Questions: The core struggles of the early church – interpreting scripture, defining Jesus' nature, living faithfully in a complex world, the relationship between faith and power – are still live issues in every denomination.

So, where do christianity come from? It came from the life, death, and resurrection of a Jewish teacher in Roman-occupied Palestine. It came from the explosive faith of his first followers. It came from the radical inclusion preached by a former persecutor. It came from the courage of martyrs and the fierce debates of theologians. It came from the unlikely patronage of an emperor. It’s a story of profound spiritual conviction colliding with raw human history, politics, and culture. It’s a story that continues to shape billions of lives and the world itself. Digging into it never gets old, at least not for me. It reminds you that big things often have messy, surprising, and deeply human beginnings.