Sociologist Rodney Stark has written a brilliant book, The Rise of Christianity, in which he describes how Christianity arose from a small group … to become the dominant force of the Roman Empire in such a short time. He presents factors that would have contributed to this great movement towards Christ. He shows that there were two great epidemics during those first few centuries. If those who were affected were cared for, there was a good chance they would survive. But often when a member of the family contracted the disease, the other family members left that person uncared for and left their homes for places not affected by the disease.

The Christians, however, did not do this …. The Christians [cared for their own family members and] also cared for those who were left behind by [their] family members. Stark points out that the willingness to suffer in order to care for the sick had a part to play in large numbers of people in the Roman Empire turning to Christ.

Evangelicals today are a despised group who are considered hopelessly out of step with today's … pluralistic attitude toward religion …. Because of their evangelistic activity the early Christians too were despised and persecuted. But they bore the persecution with such radiant power that their response served as a great attraction to people.