In the crucible of the ancient world in which it was born, Christianity should not have survived into the modern era, much less flourished and spread across the world. When you consider that the foundation of Christianity rests on the teachings of a man from a minor civilization conquered on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, it is astonishing to see the fruit produced by such a small seed. After the death of Jesus of Nazareth, his apostles took over the ministry and administration of the emerging religion based on the teachings of Jesus. While Jesus was alive, his teaching and ministry did not leave the confines of Roman territory inhabited by the Jews; however, after his death, the apostles took Christianity to the confines of the Roman Empire and beyond. As Christianity spread and its influence expanded, the leaders of Rome began to take notice. By the end of the first century, Christianity became the preferred religion of Roman citizens because it presented a more attractive doctrine with which the common man could identify. However, it was not until Emperor Constantine signed the Edict of Milan (313 AD) that religious tolerance became obligatory and Christianity received a reprieve from persecutors. Christianity was under attack almost from the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Jewish leaders felt threatened by the tendency of Jesus' followers to increasingly reject the dogmatic rituals and practices that constituted Judaism. Ultimately, the Jewish leaders, the Sadducees, were able to convince the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, that Jesus' teachings amounted to sedition and that he posed a threat to Roman rule. The Sadducees did not know it at the time, but Jesus' teachings had already taken... middle of paper ......l unrest in the empire, his policies which protected and unified the Christian religion opened the gateway to unprecedented growth and stability for Christianity throughout the Western world. Less than half a century after Constantine's reign, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire (380 AD) and promulgated policies aimed at dismantling pagan Roman institutions and places of worship. With the support of an empire, Christianity was able to explode in size, power, and influence. As Rome finally began to decline, Christianity expanded its position and established itself as a political and economic power in its own right. From its humble beginnings on the desert shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee, Christianity has adapted and become one of the most powerful religions in the world today.