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Paul of Tarsus (now southern Turkey) was Jewish and converted to Christianity within a year or two of the Crucifixion, while on the road to Damascus (now located in Syria), and afterward spread the Good News far and wide within the Roman empire.  He was both a prolific writer and scholar, and a prodigious missionary who traveled on three great missions throughout the Roman empire before being executed by a beheading in Rome in A.D. 62 (as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be scourged or crucified).  Many of Paul's letters are included in the New Testament, and often quoted to this day.  (For example, in Paul's letter to the Romans, he condemns homosexuality.<ref>Romans 1:27.</ref>)  Peter, who was not a Roman citizen, likewise spread the faith before being crucified in Rome, by his choice upside down out of the utmost respect for Jesus's own Crucifixion.

Paul of Tarsus (now southern Turkey) was Jewish and converted to Christianity within a year or two of the Crucifixion, while on the road to Damascus (now located in Syria), and afterward spread the Good News far and wide within the Roman empire.  He was both a prolific writer and scholar, and a prodigious missionary who traveled on three great missions throughout the Roman empire before being executed by a beheading in Rome in A.D. 62 (as a Roman citizen, Paul could not be scourged or crucified).  Many of Paul's letters are included in the New Testament, and often quoted to this day.  (For example, in Paul's letter to the Romans, he condemns homosexuality.<ref>Romans 1:27.</ref>)  Peter, who was not a Roman citizen, likewise spread the faith before being crucified in Rome, by his choice upside down out of the utmost respect for Jesus's own Crucifixion.

Many misconceptions about early Christians persist.  Americans are often taught that all the disciples were ignorant fishermen who could not read or write.  That is untrue, as several communicated by letter while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.  The concept of Christian love then had a profound, positive on the world.

One misconception about early Christians is the claim that they could not read or write.  But several several early Christians wrote letters while held in jail by Roman authorities.  Moreover, many of the insights and truths revealed in the Gospels by the Apostles could only have been understood and taught by people of tremendous intelligence and faith.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each.<ref>''See'' Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.</ref>  The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt now, although Islam has become the dominant religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th.

Mark founded a church in Egypt under the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, first converting Alexandrian Jews such as Theophilus and also converting many native Egyptians who were neither Greek nor Jewish.  It was for Theophilus and the Egyptian community that Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, addressing Theophilus in the beginning of each.<ref>''See'' Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1.</ref>  The local language in Egypt was Coptic, and translations of the Gospels into that language have been discovered which date from the first half of the second century.  Coptic Christianity remains in Egypt now, although Islam has become the dominant religion there.  Some cite the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria as aiding the rise to dominance of Islam there.  Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas each year on January 7th.

The Apostle Thomas, known as the "Doubting Thomas" traveled as far as India and established a Christian community that continues to thrive now, although that country is still majority Hindu.   

The Apostle Thomas, known as the "Doubting Thomas" traveled as far as India and established a small Christian community that continues to thrive.   

Christianity differs from other major religions in its peaceful evangelism, spreading its truths through freedom of speech.  Christianity is unlike non-evangelical religions, such as Judaism and Hinduism, and Christianity also differs from Islam in the manner in which force is used.

Christianity is unique in its peaceful evangelism, spreading its truths through freedom of speech.

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