According to Latourette conditions in the Greco-Roman empire favored the spread of faith ,they did not necessarily mean that Christianity would be the religion to triumph (Latouret1953;19) this implies that the competitors existed besides Judaism to which several of the competitors existed with an upper hand ,there existed religions ,cults which were maintained by the state these include gods of Rome and these cities of the empire (www.reaingacts .com)this phenomenon existed inform of Emperor worship and each of these cults existed before the formation of the Empire and the had a strong belief and were more dependent upon the favor of its gods. Prominently too existed mystery religions side by side with the cultic worship, these had a different nature of worship to the Emperor
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Etymologically the word mystery is derived from a Greek word [myein]which meant to close relating to the nature of the religious practices in the mystery religions which were secretive ,it meant to close lips and eyes( Merkelbach)the origins of these religions can be traced back to the early centuries of the Greek history originating in tribal gatherings which were practiced by primitive societies and its members are initiated into it these mystery religions constituted faith practices which scholars argue that they had direct impact to the shaping of Christian sacramental gatherings. According to Latourette mystery religions chiefly rose in Egypt Persia Syria Anatolia and all their beliefs and rites formulations were centered upon the savior who died and rose. (Latourette 1953:19)
Indications of the mystery religions that existed which resembles the Christian religious beliefs formulations to note existed in mythical narrations, the myth of Zeus the bull and Dionysus who was the promised savior of the world, the Dionysian myth signified the sacrament of the Eucharist, it relates that Zeus killed a bull and ate its flesh he drank its blood and
Etymologically the word mystery is derived from a Greek word [myein]which meant to close relating to the nature of the religious practices in the mystery religions which were secretive ,it meant to close lips and eyes( Merkelbach)the origins of these religions can be traced back to the early centuries of the Greek history originating in tribal gatherings which were practiced by primitive societies and its members are initiated into it these mystery religions constituted faith practices which scholars argue that they had direct impact to the shaping of Christian sacramental gatherings. According to Latourette mystery religions chiefly rose in Egypt Persia Syria Anatolia and all their beliefs and rites formulations were centered upon the savior who died and rose. (Latourette 1953:19)
Indications of the mystery religions that existed which resembles the Christian religious beliefs formulations to note existed in mythical narrations, the myth of Zeus the bull and Dionysus who was the promised savior of the world, the Dionysian myth signified the sacrament of the Eucharist, it relates that Zeus killed a bull and ate its flesh he drank its blood and