The Apostles' message most certainly was revolutionary, both theologically and politically.

Theologically because it defied the Sadducees' anti-resurrection dogma and openly portrayed the Man Jesus as divine; and politically because it's major theme, "Jesus is Lord," meant that of necessity, Caesar is not. The Romans could have been content to "tolerate" Christianity along with Judaism and the worship of the Hellenistic gods and such, except for the Christian claim of exclusivity.

"Yeah sure we can add your Jesus to our pantheon, but you must still worship Caesar as Lord."

The Christian answer must be that Jesus is Lord exclusively and there is no other.

The term "Lord" wasn't being used by either the Romans or the Christians in the ordinary sense of having civil or domestic authority, but as divinely supreme, having all authority and all power in heaven and earth.

Of course the Sadducees were politically motivated! Christian theology threatened the uneasy peace between the Jews and their occupying Roman rulers, who allowed the Jews to have a temple and to maintain their priestly function and it's limited political power in the Judean area.

-R