Through its geographical expansion, Catholics had a major influence on the spread of Christianity. The first-century of Christianity was described as a “spiritual explosion” and the second and third centuries was said to have “provided the channel for this power” (Shelley 27). The period in which Catholic Christianity went forth it “laid plans and shaped the character of the Christian faith for generations to come; it also allowed Christianity to come to terms with time (Shelley 27). “It was a spiritual vision, a conviction that all Christians should be in one body” (Shelley 27). “Catholic Christianity was simply a development of Jesus’ plans and Paul’s efforts” (Shelley 28). The spread of Christianity happened so rapidly because of the preaching
