Abstract
Forming pan of a trilogy about the first generation Roman Christians, this anicle concentrates on the ecclesiastical aspect. From some scattered and relatively small groups, the numbers of Roman Christians increased markedly in the second half of the first century. According to Romans 16, Jewish Christians played a significant role in the initial period, although Gentile Christians were in the majority. Friction between these groups may have been a problem, but was not Paul's main concern. The Gentile Christians were mainly from a foreign background. Thus the first Christian community had a strongly cosmopolitan character. The plurality of house-churches was mainly due to practical factors, but social differentiation might have played a role. Meetings most probably took place in the ordinary rented apanments of insulae. Romans 16 renders a vivid picture of the leadership activities of Christian women and of Paul's enlightened position in this regard.
Highlights
This article links up with two others which are submitted for publication elsewhere
Forming pan of a trilogy about the first generation Roman Christians, this anicle concentrates on the ecclesiastical aspect
According to Romans 16, Jewish Christians played a significant role in the initial period, Gentile Christians were in the majority
Summary
This article links up with two others which are submitted for publication elsewhere. The ~~e motivates inter alia why I have become convinced that Romans 16 could be used as a source for research regarding the first Christian community in Rome (Du Toit 1997a), and the other one dealing mainly with the origins and social circumstances of the Christians to whom Paul wrote his letter (Du Toit 1997b). The ecclesiastical situation of these Christians deserves special attention. It seems to be a fitting theme to honour a long-standing friend and colleague of ours to whom the church of Jesus Christ, and the contribution we as New Testament scholars should make in this regard, always has been a priority
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