Please note that the following is taken from a book published in 1840 which was written from a Presbyterian perspective. Therefore some of this might be outdated but nevertheless I hope this is of some benefit to Christians.
Excerpted from Chapter 1 of James Wharey Church History (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board Of Publication, 1840) with very slight modifications.
1. State of the world in the beginning of the Christian era
The coming of Christ, about the end of four thousand years from the creation, is said to be "in the fullness of time;" by which we may understand, that in the providence of God, there was a particular preparation and fitness in the state of the world at that time for his coming. At the birth of Christ, the Roman Empire was extended over almost the whole of the then known world; it was in its meridian glory, and stood firm upon its "legs of iron." (Dan 2:33) The arts and sciences had arrived at their greatest height in the heathen world, and philosophy had exerted all its powers. But in a religious point of view, the whole world was in a most deplorable condition.
Among the Jews, indeed, the worship of the true God was maintained, but in a very corrupt state. They taught for doctrines the commandments of men, and were devoted to the mere forms and externals of religion, while the spirit and morality of it were almost wholly neglected. They were divided into three principal sects among themselves; the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. The Pharisees were the most numerous and popular sect, who prided themselves on their punctilious observance of the external forms and ceremonies of religion. They added many things to the Law of Moses, upon the authority of their doctors, which additions were called the traditions of the elders. But their religion was little more than a hypocritical pretence. The Sadducees were a kind of sceptics of that day. They denied the existence of angels, and of a future state; rejected traditions, and received the five books of Moses as of superior authority to the other Scriptures; and appear to have regarded religion as a mere matter of state policy. Many of the wealthy, and of those who occupied high stations, belonged to this sect. The Essenes were a kind of monastic order, who retired from society, and spent their time in solitude and devotion. We read also of the Herodians; but these it is probable, were not so properly a religious sect, as a political party. They were the favourers of Herod the Great, and of that government which he exercised under the authority of the Romans. The state of the Jewish church called loudly for a reformation.
In the heathen world, the knowledge of the true God was almost wholly lost. The most wretched polytheism and idolatry everywhere prevailed. The discovery was completely made, and the practical truth fully developed, that "the world by wisdom knew not God." It seems to be the policy of God's government, to permit man to try his own strength first; and to afford extraordinary aid, when every other means has failed. Man's extremity is God's opportunity. Thus it is, he exalts his own almighty power, and "hides pride from man."
A general expectation existed, not only among the Jews, but throughout the East, founded upon the predictions of the Jewish prophets, that a very extraordinary personage should arise in Judea, about this time, who should establish a kingdom over the whole world. Hence the alarm of Herod, when it was said that Christ was "born king of the Jews;" and the consequent murder of the children of Bethlehem. Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus, speak very expressly of this expectation as being very general throughout the East; and as being founded on predictions contained in the sacred books. Virgil plainly alludes to this expectation; and uses almost the very language of some of the prophets respecting the Messiah, in his fourth Eclogue, inscribed Pollio. The general acquaintance with the Greek language that then existed throughout the East, in consequence of the conquests of Alexander the Great; and the previous translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into that language by the direction of Ptolemy Philadelphia, were no doubt designed, in the providence of God to prepare the way of the Lord, and to facilitate the spread of the gospel. That state of general peace which existed throughout the Roman Empire under the prosperous reign of Augustus Caesar, was peculiarly fitted for the advent of the Prince of Peace.
(To be continued)
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