Christianity was spread through the Roman Empire by the early followers of Jesus. Although saints Peter and Paul are said to have established the church in Rome, most of the early Christian communities were in the east: Alexandria in Egypt, as well as Antioch and Jerusalem. Christianity gained adherents among both Jews and non-Jews, bringing them together with a message of unity before God. Because Christianity was so diffuse, and also illegal and therefore kept underground, it is hard to speak of a united “Christianity” in this period. A more accurate statement might be that there were “Christianities,” that is, various forms of Christianity, with different takes on the religion and its message. Gnostics, Montanists, Docetists, and others, debated about the true nature of Christ, salvation, and the life of a Christian. Still, several important Christian writers, called Fathers of the Church—men such as Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, and Clement of Rome—helped define, in a broad sense, the doctrines of Christianity as they would be recognized in the future. Their writings also helped sway people to adopt Christianity. They were mostly opposed by the Roman authorities, who sought to suppress Christianity.
Union Flag (1606–1801), in which are combined the white-on-blue Cross of St. Andrew (for Scotland) and the red-on-white Cross of St. George (for England). The Union Jack is the most important of all British flags and is flown by representatives of the United Kingdom all the world over.
Luther was excommunicated practically immediately, then the German princes tried to get him to recant so he could be allowed back into the church. <span />
