The term "early church" refers to the period in Christian history immediately following Jesus' death and resurrection, up until around 313 AD when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians freedom to practice their religion. During this time, the early Christian community was small but rapidly growing, and it faced many challenges as it sought to establish itself within a largely hostile Roman Empire. The "early church" is often associated with the development of Christian doctrine, the writing of the New Testament, and the establishment of the first churches and communities.