Page 35 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

The Time Had Fully Come

man could concentrate on the important aspects of living” (21). The
empire provided a skillful compromise between unity and diversity.

BRITAIN
GERMANY

GAUL
Atlantic Ocean
DALMATIA
ITALY THRACIA Black Sea
Rome MACEDONIA
SPAIN EPIRUS BITHYNIA ARMENIA
ACHAIA CAPPADOCIA
ASIA ASSYRIA
GALATIA
CILICIA MESOPOTAMIA
NUMIDIA SYRIA
MAURITANIA Mediterranean Sea
JUDEA
CYRENE ARABIA
EGYPT
AFRICA
ROMAN EMPIRE Nile Red
Sea

Figure 2.1—The Roman Empire

Caesar Augustus initiated the policy of bestowing Roman citizenship
on all free-born subjects in the empire. This ideal—a universal Roman
citizenship—prepared the way for the coming of the message of Christ and
a church in which all people are citizens in a heavenly kingdom, whether
Jew or Gentile. Secular unity prepared the way for the advancement of
the kingdom of God on earth. Above the national gods there was a higher
spiritual unity—a universal God. This concept will be explored later in
more detail.

Transportation and Travel
In the ancient world of small city states and tribes, travel was
restricted. However, with the relative peace and unity established by
the Roman Empire came a new freedom for people to move from land
to land. The Romans provided a network of roads and Roman soldiers
provided security for travel. A common saying during this period of
history indicated that “all roads lead to Rome.” Qualben notes: “In the
forum at Rome, Caesar Augustus had erected a golden milestone. From
there went out five main highways which with their many branches
connected Rome to all parts of the empire” (6). This made it much easier

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