o Despite the literary portrayal in the apocryphal Acts of
the Apostles, there is no real historical evidence of mass
conversions based on public preaching or wonder-working.o Growth in numbers more likely came about through a process
of social networking. Studies have shown that contemporary
cults tend to find converts among those who have family
members or friends already in the cult, and that paradigm
seems applicable to the nascent Christian movements, as well.o A further factor was simple childbirth. Christians had solid
families, and unlike their pagan neighbors, strictly forbade
abortion and child exposure; thus, they were successful in
multiplying in the most obvious fashion available.o Based on an estimated total population in the Roman Empire
of 60 million and a baseline starting population of Christians
in the year 40 of about 1,000, by 300, the Christian population
was probably more than 6 million.• There are indications, as well, that Christians were finding their
way into higher social ranks.
o In the years 177–180, the philosopher Celsus, in his attack on
Christianity called The True Word, called the movement one of
wool workers, cobblers, laborers, slaves, and women.o But in the year 270, Porphyry, another philosophical critic of
Christianity, spoke of noblewomen in the Christian religion,
and by 300, we see Christians counted among magistrates,
provincial governors, and chamberlains in the imperial court.Growth in Administration
• A consequence of this expansion and growth in numbers was the
pressing need for greater organization.
o A more explicit and elaborate authority structure at the local
level was needed to coordinate tasks and administration.
Organizing the assembly (its meeting place and times),