He descended into hell

 

According to Greek mythology, only two mortals had descended into the underworld realm of the dead and returned to the world of the living. Both were demi-gods.

Theseus was a son of Poseidon, god of the sea. Among the many adventures of Theseus were his six labours, in which he defeated six villainous bandits, one at each of the six entrances to the underworld. Theseus joined his friend Pirithous in his attempt to abduct Persephone, the wife of Hades, god of the underworld. However, they failed in their quest, remaining trapped.

Heracles was a son of Zeus, God of the sky. Among his many adventures were the twelve tasks. Driven mad by Hera, who vented her anger towards her husband at his illegitimate children, Heracles murdered his own wife and children. Restored to his right mind, he sought out the pythonic Oracle at Delphi to discover how he could atone for his sins. Unknown to him, the Oracle spoke only as directed by Hera, who determined that his penance would be to serve king Eurystheus for ten years and perform any task the king required of him. The king initially set Heracles ten tasks, later adding a further two, the last of which was to capture Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the underworld, and present him before Eurystheus. While on this quest, Heracles found his cousin, and Persephone was persuaded to grant him clemency (though Pirithous remained captive). Hades was persuaded to let his nephew borrow his dog, on the condition that Cerberus was returned unharmed.

In Acts 16, Luke, the biographer of Jesus and historian of the early church, describes Jesus as the one who is victorious over the Greek monsters, gods, and heroes. But he does not defeat them through heroic labours — even if the church told the story of Jesus dying, descending to the realm of the dead, preaching there, (harrowing hell) and returning to the world of the living on the third day.

Jesus is victorious over both the giant serpent Python and the god Apollo through Paul noticing the girl whom others saw only as child labour to be exploited, and freeing her with just an authoritative word.

Jesus is victorious over the monstrous dog Cerberus and the god Hades (along with Theseus and Heracles, and Poseidon and Zeus) through Paul expressing compassion towards the man tasked with denying him his freedom.

This is dynamite.

It is radically different from the way in which Greek gods and mortals see, and treat, one another.

This is how the church grew exponentially over the following three centuries.

Through care.