How Many 1st Century Christians?

24k

Just wondering if anyone has done any research regarding the estimated number of Christians around during the 1st and 2nd centuries. It seems that there would have been well over 144,000. If so, there certainly would not have been any remaining spots to fill during the 20th century. Of course, the bible doesn't seem to set a number limit on those going to heaven. Just curious for your thoughts.

stillajwexelder

Never done the research but you know there were loasd of thriving congregations in Pauls time --- acts says about 5000 became Christians in 1 day -- if you do the math -- allowing for the fact that huge numbers were martyred by Nero and other Romans I estimate 250, 000 -- now in the late 1800s all JWs were supposed ly annointed and by 1935 I think the numers were around 40,000 -- so I can not see how 144,000 can possibly be a literal number -- but then these days I do not believe any crap put out by the WTBTS

willyloman

The Watchtower has done this research, although they haven't published it in about 50 years, not since they wrote about hundreds of thousands of Christians being put to death in the first century and then got a question from readers (at one time, those Questions really were FROM readers) challenging their math. Their reply: Well, many of them must have been unfaithful because we haven't reached the magic 144K yet. Uh huh. Faith unto death, just not faithful enough. Anyway, don't have the CD handy so someone else will have to post the particulars.

Mysterious

Jan 15, 1952 Watchtower Questions from Readers

According to the article "Hated for His Name" in the September 1, 1951, Watchtower, hundreds of thousands of Christians died in the "ten persecutions" starting in Nero?s time, 144,000 dying in Egypt alone during one of the persecutions. How can this be harmonized with the Scriptural limitation of 144,000 placed on the number being in Christ?s body, and which position was the only one open to Christians during those centuries??J.A., Dominican Republic.
The article did not class with any finality the individuals that died during these persecutions, but spoke of the results in a general way. Note that a key qualification was made in the case referred to in the question: "In the province of Egypt alone, 144,000 such professed Christians died by violence in the course of this persecution, in addition to another 700,000 who died as a result of fatigues encountered in banishment or under enforced public works." The victims are identified as "professed Christians", not Christians in fact. Many of those persons might have been caught in the wave of persecution, but may never have actually preached the truth or followed in Jesus? footsteps, being only professed Christians. They knew the world they lived in was rotten and they were listening to the message of the Christians and willing to die for it even though not in line for the high calling in Christ Jesus. Many professed Christians today might be willing to die for their faith, but still not be Jesus? footstep followers and meeting the Scriptural requirements for such.

Faraon

Many professed Christians today might be willing to die for their faith, but still not be Jesus? footstep followers and meeting the Scriptural requirements for such.

Such as not joining the YMCA, having chandeliers in their showcase, selling Watchtower magazines, shunning everyone not conforming, thinking about which house to occupy after Armaggeddon, not go to college, not take any blood fractions not approved by the Krooklyn Publishing House, believing that it is better to illnesses than to take a vaccine, change your name from Bible Student to Jehovah's Witness, go to 5 meetings per week, take a family study, personal study with WT materials only, join team sports with only JWs, buy four-door cars only, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseaum.

See, it's simple.

All you have to do is give your free will, your money, your health, your sanity, and life to ~~Jesus~~ The Watchtower Bible and Tract Corporation

Satanus

Rodney Stark, in 'the rise of christianity', page 7 published this chart:

Christian Growth Projected at 40% per Decade
Year Number of christians Percent of Population
40 1,000 0.0017
50 1,400 0.023
100 7,530 0.0126
150 40,496 0.07
200 217,795 0.36
250 1,171,356 1.9
300 6,299,832 10.5
350 33,882,008 56.5
Based on an estimated population of 60 million.
This is a very encouraging finding, since it is exceedingly close to the average growth rate of 43 per cent per decade that the mormon church has maintained over the past century.

His research in the christian growth field is extensive, blowing the wt pie right out of the sky.

SS

peacefulpete

I just ran across a figure of less than 100,000 by the mid 2nd century. Christian sects were very small and little appeal to the general public until it was supported by the State. I'll try to find the reference tomorrow.