Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.Sample Book Insights: #1 The church was never disconnected from the world around it. The first Christians were first-century Jews, and it was as such that they heard and received the message. Then the faith spread, first among other Jews, and eventually among Gentiles both within and beyond the borders of the Roman Empire.#2 Palestine has always been a land of strife and suffering. It was invaded and conquered by Alexander the Great in the fourth century BCE, and its inhabitants were repeatedly subjugated by different empires over the following centuries.#3 The conquests of Alexander sought to spread Greek civilization, but many Jews saw in it a threat to their faith in the One God. In the history of Palestine from the time of Alexander’s conquest to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, we can see the constant struggle between Hellenizing pressures and Jewish faithfulness.#4 The Romans justified their imperial conquests by claiming that they were bringing civilization to the world. They built new cities and temples, and placed all of them under Roman rule and guidance. They were very tolerant of the religion and customs of conquered people.