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American soldiers in World Wars I and II would carry copies of the Gospel of John with them as they journeyed to faraway battles.  This single book has done more to shape human thought and behavior than any other work.  America's First Amendment right of free speech is based on ministers preaching of the "Word" of God as described at the beginning of the Gospel of John.

American soldiers in World Wars I and II would carry copies of the Gospel of John with them as they journeyed to faraway battles.  This single book has done more to shape human thought and behavior than any other work.  America's First Amendment right of free speech is based on ministers preaching of the "Word" of God as described at the beginning of the Gospel of John.

Archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem confirm, to the dismay of skeptics, many references in the Gospels about Jesus's work.  The Pool of Bethesda has been discovered (John 5:1f).  The Pavement has been found (John 19:13).  The setting of Jacob's well has been discovered (John 4).  Because Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, it would have been impossible for a writer after A.D. 70 to make up any of these details.  

Archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem confirm, to the dismay of skeptics, the truth of many references in the Gospels about Jesus's work.  The Pool of Bethesda has been discovered (John 5:1f).  The Pavement has been found (John 19:13).  The setting of Jacob's well has been discovered (John 4).  Because Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, it would have been impossible for a writer after A.D. 70 afterward unfamiliar with these locations to be able to refer to these specific locations.

Paul of Taurus (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).  Several 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 to Jesus's own Crucifixion.

Paul of Taurus (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.  This is plainly false, 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.

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.

Christianity was taken by the early Christians as far and wide as possible.  The religious celebrations consisted of a communal meal, called "communion" today but given the Greek name for "love feat" then: "agape".  This reenacted the Last Supper of Christ as described in the Gospels.  The concept of Christian love has had a profound, positive on the world.

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 Christian community that continues to thrive now, although the country is still majority Hindu.   

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 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.