51 The Jewish persecution of Christians in Rome becomes
so disruptive that the Jews are expelled from the city
57 Paul's Letter to the Romans
60 b.
Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor. "He was a man of long ago
and the disciple of one 'John' and a companion of Polycarp," according to
Irenaeus
64
Emperor Nero blames the fire that destroys much of Rome on the
Christians. He persecutes the church ruthlessly, and uses Christians as
candles to light his garden. It is likely that both Peter and Paul were
executed during this persecution
65 Peter and Paul executed
68 The end of Nero's reign
69 b.
Polycarp, in Smyrna. He was a strong defender of the faith in Asia Minor
combating the Marcionites and the Valentinians. Irenaeus reported that
Polycarp had communication with John the Apostle and 'others who had
seen the Lord'
81
Domitian becomes Emperor. As Emperor, he persecuted both Jews and
Christians
98
Trajan becomes Emperor. Trajan's policy was
not to seek Christians out, but if they were brought before the authorities
they were to be punished, usually executed, for being Christians
By the end of the first century it is possible to
document congregations in almost every city that Paul visited on his three
missionary journeys. There are also a few churches in Egypt and along the
coast of Northern Africa
