The position that early Christianity was a "religion of the lower classes" is certainly outdated. However, the extent to which members of the social elite turned to the new faith remains hotly contested. A broad consensus in research argues against the assumption that there were already members of the leading classes, such as the ordo senatorius or a local ordo decurionum, among the early Christians. However, the sources do provide indications of senators or local officials among the Christians of the 1st century. In particular, this work dedicates detailed studies to three individuals: Sergius Paullus, proconsul of Cyprus; Dionysios, a member of the Athenian Areopagus; and Erastus, "city treasurer" in Corinth. If they are plausible candidates for Christian members of the ordo in the 1st century, one would then have to question the motives for their conversion to the faith.