The [[Gospels]] and [[Acts]] in the [[New Testament]] describe some of the most significant early Christians. Of particular importance were the women and [[12 Apostles|disciples]] who met [[Jesus]] after he had risen from the dead and so passed the [[gospel]] onto the world. The events of [[Acts 2]] describe how the [[Apostle Peter]] gave an instrumental speech in the formation of the early church. A few years later, the [[Apostle Paul]] was an instrumental in taking the gospel to [[Gentile]]s (non-Jews) who were pagans.
In the following generations great persecution occurred against Christians throughout many parts of the Roman Empire and a number of Christians such as [[Polycarp]] stood firm in their faith acting as strong witnesses for Christ. It has been said that their blood was the seed of the church.