The history of the development of Christianity dates of course form the departure of Jesus from the world. But in Paul, this history has a new beginning; from this point we are able to trace it not only in its external features, but also in its inner connection. F.C. Baur traces the rise and development of Christianity through the first three centuries.
“the need of deliverance from the deep-felt schism within, and of atonement with an unknown God.” (Page 8)
“The Acts passes over the occurrence at Antioch with a resolute silence, which shows clearly enough how far what was remembered of the subject was from harmonising with the reconciling tendency of this work.” (Page 55)
“The universalism of Christianity is essentially nothing but that universal form of consciousness at which the development of mankind had arrived at the time when Christianity appeared.” (Page 5)
“But what is it in Christianity that gives it its absolute character?” (Page 6)
“Thus the universalism of Christianity necessarily presupposes the universalism of the Roman empire” (Page 4)