Christianity Basic Tenets

The Rise of Christianity

Romans conquered Palestine in 63 BC

*Jews were tolerated and excused from worshiping roman gods

Jews absorbed Greek influence creating rifts in the religion

Ancient Scriptures

Ancient Jewish scriptures told of a Messiah who would be a savior to their people.

Many Jews thought that this meant the savior would lead a rebellion against the Romans.

Jesus, the founder of Christianity

Called himself the Son of God

Said his mission was to bring spiritual salvation and eternal life to anyone who would believe in him.

Our history comes from the Gospels. • Written by four of his followers

The Good News

The life of the Messiah, Jesus, is told in the four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Unlike many Jews believed, Jesus did not come to lead a revolution.

He came to love his enemies.“Anyone who believes in my name and

repents of his sins will receive eternal life.”

Was Jesus Dangerous?

*Jewish priests and Roman leaders considered Jesus dangerous to their leadership

*Romans considered Jesus a revolutionary

He was tried and crucified

They became jealous of the great crowds that followed Him and believed in Him, and finally decided to get rid of Him by having Him killed.

Crucifixion is a method of execution in which the victim is nailed or tied—usually to a large wooden cross (Lat. crux) and left to hang there until dead.

Simply binding the victim's limbs to the cross with rope is thought to have been the most common method; nailing the victim to the cross was reserved for especially serious cases.

There can be several contributing causes of death by crucifixion: physical shock, dehydration, exhaustion, asphyxiation due to collapse of chest muscles, and loss of blood.

Death could come in hours or days, depending on exact methods, the prisoner's health and environmental circumstances.

Raised from the Dead!

After Jesus died and was buried in a tomb Christians believe that he came back to life 3 days later.

His followers say they saw him aliveChristians believe after a couple of weeks

he rose into heaven and gave the Holy Spirit to all of his followers.

A new religion had begun…but it took time to spread the story

Spread of Christianity

Jesus talked to his disciples telling them to spread his word (Peter main disciples to help spread)Those who spread his message are know as Apostles

Paul from Asia Minor

*Christians were persecuted and became Martyrs

Greek ideas from Plato and the Stoics moderated the Christian church which many Romans liked

Christianity the official of the Roman Empire

Theodosius the Great346-395

*After the empire fell, The Church preserved,

adapted and spread Greco-Roman

civilization

Religious Text

Bible Composed of the Old & New

Testament Old Testament is everything

historically before the birth of Jesus and some corresponds with Judaism(example: First 5 books of the old testament are also found in the Torah)

New Testament is the about the birth and mission of Jesus and those who lived after furthering his mission

Practices

Church Attend on Sundays and special occasions

Prayer Pray to God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, some also pray to saints Some fast on occasion for cleansing, special prayer

Holidays Christmas- Celebrate birth of Jesus( Dec. 25th)

Easter- Celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead (usually end of March beginning April)

Afterlife

Heaven: Those who are “saved” meaning accept Jesus as the son of God will be joined with God in Heaven

Hell: Those who do not believe in Jesus and that he is the son of God will have eternal separation from God. This is referred to as Hell in the Bible.