The ecclesiastical situation of the first generation Roman Christians

摘要

Forming pan of a trilogy about the first generation Roman Christians,?this anicle concentrates on the ecclesiastical aspect. From some scattered and relatively small groups, the numbers of Roman Christians?increased markedly in the second half of the first century. According to?Romans 16, Jewish Christians played a significant role in the initial?period, although Gentile Christians were in the majority. Friction?between these groups may have been a problem, but was not Paul's main?concern. The Gentile Christians were mainly from a foreign background. Thus the first Christian community had a strongly cosmopolitan?character. The plurality of house-churches was mainly due to practical?factors, but social differentiation might have played a role. Meetings?most probably took place in the ordinary rented apanments of insulae.?Romans 16 renders a vivid picture of the leadership activities of?Christian women and of Paul's enlightened position in this regard.