A rise in the Classical Period Even though Christianity developed later than many other religions, and caught on slowly, its ideas were very popular. Some people were disagreeing with Judaism, and therefore reformed their ideas to fit with those of Christianity. Paul of Tarsus (5 c. e. - 67 c. e) was considered the most important religious leader in the developing and spreading of Christian beliefs. For Paul to prove that Christianity is for all people, he wrote letters and epistles. The appeal of Paul's letters to the Romans helped spread Christianity by setting a universal foundation to different communities all over Europe. The letters Paul wrote later became part of the New Testament of the Bible. Some people did accept Jesus as the Messiah, but others did not. Believers in Judaism were revolting against Jesus and his beliefs. The Roman government took Jesus into their control and Pontius Pilate demanded his crucifixion. However, a number of devoted followers were able to spread the story of Jesus. They pronounced that Jesus had overcome death, been resurrected and rose into Heaven. Of these followers the most important was Paul of Tarsus. Paul of Tarsus was on one occasion Jewish, but converted to Christianity. His strong will and ability to stand up for what he believed in led him to first have the courage to convert himself into Christianity, and to encourage others to do the same. He preached to a number of Jews and gentiles throughout Europe and Asia. Paul's writings caught the attention and popularity of so many people, mainly Romans, because they were profound, in depth teachings, and words that were new and unfamiliar to many. The writings that Paul wrote accentuated the idea of Christianity being a religion for all people. In many of Paul's ideas, one main concept was that of the introduction of Greco-Roman ideas, with the inclusion of Roman law. Of his writings, the letter from Paul to the Romans was the building block of the spread of Christianity.
