A highly readable survey of the birth and growth of the Christian faith in the first-century world, this book offers insight into the various cultures that shaped the world when Jesus was born. It traces the life and ministry of Christ and examines how the faith spread. Topics includes: the New Testament Canon, extra-biblical sources for New Testament history, how ancient dates are fixed, Old Testament and other roots of the faith, and ministry outreaches of the early church. Includes bibliography and scripture indexes.