St Paul defines the Christian idea of membership by borrowing the concept of corporate personality from Roman law : we are ‘members in Christ’. The church is the Bride of Christ, and has defined itself from the outset as katholike – universal. In brief, Christianity offers a membership which is available to all, which promises a new life, and which is not bound by the laws of ancestors. In this, of course, it is like other cults of ancient trading and seafaring people, with many of which (notably the cult of Mithras) Christianity was in conflict during its early years.