Introduction:
The term "Italians" refers to the inhabitants of Italy, a region with significant historical and biblical relevance. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention "Italians" as a distinct group, it does reference Italy and its people in various contexts, particularly in the New Testament. Italy, known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity during the early church era.

Biblical References to Italy and Its People:
1. Italy in the New Testament:
Italy is mentioned directly in the New Testament, primarily in the context of the Apostle Paul's journeys. In Acts 18:2, we read about Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. This passage highlights the movement of people from Italy and their involvement in the early Christian community.

2. Paul's Journey to Rome:
The Apostle Paul's journey to Rome is a significant event recorded in the Book of Acts. In Acts 27:1, it is noted, "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment." This journey underscores Italy's importance as a destination for early Christian missions and the spread of the Gospel.

3. The Italian Cohort:
In Acts 10:1, we encounter Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort. "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment." Cornelius is a pivotal figure as he is considered the first Gentile convert to Christianity, marking a significant expansion of the early church beyond Jewish communities.

Cultural and Historical Context:
Italy, during the time of the New Testament, was under Roman rule and was the heart of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire's extensive network of roads and cities facilitated the spread of Christianity. Rome, the capital, became a central hub for early Christian activity and was home to a diverse population, including Jews and Gentiles, who played a role in the early church's growth.

The Role of Rome in Early Christianity:
Rome's significance in early Christianity cannot be overstated. It was the destination of Paul's final journey, where he was eventually martyred. The Epistle to the Romans, one of Paul's most theologically profound letters, was addressed to the believers in Rome, indicating the presence of a well-established Christian community there. Romans 1:7 states, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Legacy and Influence:
The influence of Italy and its people on Christianity continued beyond the biblical era. Rome became a central seat of Christian authority, eventually leading to the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church. The legacy of early Italian Christians, such as those mentioned in the New Testament, laid the groundwork for the enduring Christian presence in Italy and throughout the world.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not specifically mention "Italians" as a distinct ethnic group, the references to Italy, Rome, and its people highlight the region's significant role in the early Christian church. The movement of individuals like Aquila and Priscilla, the conversion of Cornelius, and Paul's missionary journeys underscore Italy's importance in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of Christian communities.

Letter Xcii. To the Italians and Gauls.
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Letter XCII. To the Italians
and Gauls. 1. To our right godly and holy brethren ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xcii to the italians.htm

Valentinus' Explanation of the Birth of Jesus; Twofold Doctrine on ...
... Chapter XXX."Valentinus' Explanation of the Birth of Jesus; Twofold Doctrine on
the Nature of Jesus' Body; Opinion of the Italians, that Is, Heracleon and ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxx valentinus explanation of the.htm

Chronological Table
... 526. While using his influence as Theodoric's magister officiorum' for the purity
of the government and the welfare of the Italians, Boethius was charged with ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/chronological table.htm

ii.
... impulse from without. The Germans did not benefit intellectually in any
way by their contact with the Italians. The conquered have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/ii.htm

Melted by Kindness
... He was the object, not undeservedly, of the execration and suspicion of his countrymen.
Italians did not love Italians who took service under Austria. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/melted by kindness.htm

Literature of Church History.
... Her best historians are either Italians, and ultramontane in spirit, or Frenchmen,
mostly on the side of the more liberal but less consistent Gallicanism. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 7 literature of church.htm

Importance of the Anniversaries Connected with the Years 1894-1897 ...
... But this Canterbury church may have been built by the Italians. Again, there
is very unmistakable and interesting Roman work at St. ...
/.../lecture i importance of the.htm

Early Christianity in Other Parts of These Islands. --Ninian in ...
... Augustine came to Kent. The Italians appear to have blamed the British Church
for its want of missionary zeal. But that only applied ...
/.../lecture iii early christianity in.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... successfully. Barbarians were gradually settling within the Empire. The emperors
themselves were no longer Romans or Italians. Provincials ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Old Faiths and the New
... harbours. The population consisted of Greeks, Jews, Italians, and a mixed
multitude; it was excitable, pleasure loving, and mercurial. ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study viii the old faiths.htm

Italians (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Italians (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 13:24 Greet all of
your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you. (WEB). ...
/i/italians.htm - 6k

Italian (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Italy. 3. (n.) The language used in Italy, or
by the Italians. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ITALIAN BAND. i-tal'-yan. ...
/i/italian.htm - 7k

Leaders (167 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Hebrews 13:24 Greet all of your leaders and all the
saints. The Italians greet you. (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/leaders.htm - 35k

Italic (1 Occurrence)

/i/italic.htm - 7k

Italy (4 Occurrences)
... The Oenotrians are represented as having assumed the name of Italians (Itali) from
a legendary ruler Italus (Dionysius, i.12, 35; Vergil, Aen. i.533). ...
/i/italy.htm - 10k

Do (21637 Occurrences)
... It is the first of the seven syllables used by the Italians as manes of musical
tones, and replaced, for the sake of euphony, the syllable Ut, applied to the ...
/d/do.htm - 8k

Crete (7 Occurrences)
... The excavations of Mr. Evans at Knossos and of the Italians at Phastos (near Fair
Havens) prove that Crete was a center of Mediterranean civilization in an ...
/c/crete.htm - 19k

Greet (46 Occurrences)
... Amen. (WEB KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Hebrews 13:24 Greet all of your leaders and
all the saints. The Italians greet you. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/greet.htm - 19k

Saints (117 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Hebrews 13:24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The
Italians greet you. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/saints.htm - 39k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... The economic changes of the past century have brought in Greeks, Italians and other
foreigners to the large towns; but all these only amount to an eightieth of ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

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