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Christianity and the Roman Empire

In this lesson, students will identify characteristics of the Christian religion and the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Christianity

Jesus of Nazareth

Emperor Constantine

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The Romanshad conqueredthe Jews. TheJewish people

believed that theirGod would send

them a greatKing or Messiah to

lead them topolitical freedom.

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Some Jewsbelieved that

Jesus of Nazarethwas the Messiah.

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Jesus

• Jesus was a carpenter.

• At the age of 30, he began preaching.

• He preached that God loved all people equally and that his followers should love even their enemies.

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His followers believed that Jesusperformed miracleslike raising the deadand healing the sick.

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Trouble with the Government

• After three years of preaching, Jesus’ popularity frightened some Jewish leaders.

• It was rumored that Jesus’ followers would rebel against the Roman authorities.

• Such a rebellion would cause suffering and hardship among the conquered people.

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Rebelling against the Romans wouldonly cause hardship and suffering.

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One of Jesus’ followers,Judas, betrayed Jesus.

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The Crucifixion

• Jesus was betrayed, crucified, and died.

• His followers believed that he rose on the third day after his death.

• His followers believed that Jesus was resurrected.

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The Romans crucified Jesus.

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Cultural Diffusion and Christianity

• After Jesus’ crucifixion, his followers spread his teachings.

• Paul brought Jesus’ teachings to the Gentiles or non-Jewish people.

• Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire.

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Paul brought Christianity tothe Gentiles.

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Emperor Constantine

• Initially, the Romans persecuted and even killed Christians.

• However, over time, even some of the Roman elite became Christians.

• Emperor Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.

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Questions for Reflection:• Who was Jesus of Nazareth and what did

he preach?• Why were some government officials

concerned about Jesus?• What did the Romans do to Jesus?• Define resurrection.• What happened to Christianity after the

death of Jesus?• Who was Constantine and why was he a

significant Roman Emperor?