Rise and Spread of ChristianityRise and Spread of Christianity

MAIN IDEASMAIN IDEAS

Christianity built upon the Jewish belief in Christianity built upon the Jewish belief in one God and the concept of a Messiah.one God and the concept of a Messiah.

The disciples of Jesus came to believe that The disciples of Jesus came to believe that he was the Messiah.he was the Messiah.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was According to the Gospels, Jesus was executed but rose from the dead. Christians executed but rose from the dead. Christians believe that this makes freedom from sin believe that this makes freedom from sin and death possible for everyone.and death possible for everyone.

Christianity emerged at a time of Christianity emerged at a time of widespread unrest in the Roman widespread unrest in the Roman province of Judaea (Palestine). province of Judaea (Palestine).

Christianity is based on the life and Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazarethteachings of Jesus of Nazareth

Christ comes from the Greek word Christ comes from the Greek word “christos” which means “messiah” “christos” which means “messiah” or “anointed one”or “anointed one”

Christianity’s Jewish RootsChristianity’s Jewish Roots

Roman JudeaRoman Judea

Looking for a MessiahLooking for a Messiah

Christianity grew from Judaism and ideas of Christianity grew from Judaism and ideas of JesusJesus—a Jewish teacher—a Jewish teacher

Romans conquered Jewish kingdom of Judah Romans conquered Jewish kingdom of Judah (Judea) in 63 B.C.(Judea) in 63 B.C.– Jewish kings had to be approved by RomeJewish kings had to be approved by Rome

Many Jews sought freedom from foreign rulersMany Jews sought freedom from foreign rulers Sacred writings promised a Messiah who would Sacred writings promised a Messiah who would

free themfree them– Some believed the ruler would be descended from King Some believed the ruler would be descended from King

DavidDavid

The Life of JesusThe Life of Jesus

Birth and Early LifeBirth and Early Life There are few written historical accounts of

Christianity's early history. What we know comes from the writings of disciples (followers)

Writings are called Gospels (good news) Gospels—accounts of Jesus’ life by Matthew, Gospels—accounts of Jesus’ life by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (these are the first four Mark, Luke, John (these are the first four books of the Christian Bible)books of the Christian Bible)

Along with other writings, they make up New Along with other writings, they make up New TestamentTestament

Gospels say Jesus was born in Gospels say Jesus was born in BethlehemBethlehem

–raised in Nazareth by Mary and by raised in Nazareth by Mary and by Joseph, a carpenterJoseph, a carpenter

Christians later celebrated his birth on Christians later celebrated his birth on ChristmasChristmas

The Teachings of JesusThe Teachings of Jesus

Jesus preached justice, compassion, Jesus preached justice, compassion, coming of God’s kingdomcoming of God’s kingdom– delivered teachings in delivered teachings in parablesparables—stories with —stories with

moralsmorals– asked people to love and pray for enemies; to asked people to love and pray for enemies; to

live simply, humblylive simply, humbly Some Jewish leaders angered by Jesus’ Some Jewish leaders angered by Jesus’

teachingsteachings– were upset that some followers claimed Jesus were upset that some followers claimed Jesus

was the Messiahwas the Messiah

The Death of JesusThe Death of Jesus

Arrest and TrialArrest and Trial The claim that Jesus was the Messiah was a The claim that Jesus was the Messiah was a

threat to Roman rulersthreat to Roman rulers– power, authority of Roman rulers was questionedpower, authority of Roman rulers was questioned– followers called Jesus “king” when he came to followers called Jesus “king” when he came to

JerusalemJerusalem

During Passover, Jesus criticized running of During Passover, Jesus criticized running of Jerusalem TempleJerusalem Temple– Jewish leaders appointed by Rome arrested JesusJewish leaders appointed by Rome arrested Jesus– turned him over to Romans for punishmentturned him over to Romans for punishment

The Story of the ResurrectionThe Story of the Resurrection Jesus was executed by Roman governor Pontius PilateJesus was executed by Roman governor Pontius Pilate

– executed by crucifixion—hanging on cross until executed by crucifixion—hanging on cross until suffocatedsuffocated

– buried in tomb with stone blocking entranceburied in tomb with stone blocking entrance Gospels say that the third day after death, followers went Gospels say that the third day after death, followers went

to tombto tomb– tomb was empty; some followers say Jesus walked, tomb was empty; some followers say Jesus walked,

talked with themtalked with them Account of resurrection proved to followers that Jesus was Account of resurrection proved to followers that Jesus was

divinedivine– Resurrection—Resurrection—return to lifereturn to life– Followers believed Jesus gave life to create new worldFollowers believed Jesus gave life to create new world– in new world sin and death are defeatedin new world sin and death are defeated

Christians believe crucifixion was on Good FridayChristians believe crucifixion was on Good Friday– Resurrection was on Easter SundayResurrection was on Easter Sunday

The ResurrectionThe Resurrection

The apostles belief in the physical The apostles belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus was the foundation of resurrection of Jesus was the foundation of a church to promote his teachings.a church to promote his teachings.

The message of the apostle Peter’s first The message of the apostle Peter’s first sermon was that Jesus had died and risen sermon was that Jesus had died and risen to be with Yahweh and that baptism marked to be with Yahweh and that baptism marked the adherence of those who accepted his the adherence of those who accepted his resurrection.resurrection.

REVIEW QUESTIONREVIEW QUESTION

What event made Jesus’ What event made Jesus’ followers believe their leader followers believe their leader was divine?was divine?

The belief in the physical The belief in the physical resurrection of Jesusresurrection of Jesus

The Early Christians & The New The Early Christians & The New FaithFaith

Romans followed a number of religions and also Romans followed a number of religions and also allowed a great deal of freedom to other religions. allowed a great deal of freedom to other religions.

Jews and Christians began to disagree on religious Jews and Christians began to disagree on religious grounds, and Christianity slowly became a separate grounds, and Christianity slowly became a separate religion. religion.

Jews and early Christians shared the same basic Jews and early Christians shared the same basic beliefs, but differed on the idea of the messiah. beliefs, but differed on the idea of the messiah.

At first, Christians concentrated on trying to convert At first, Christians concentrated on trying to convert other Jews. other Jews.

After serious debate, the early Christians decided to After serious debate, the early Christians decided to preach Christianity to the Gentiles. preach Christianity to the Gentiles.

Christianity might have remained Christianity might have remained a purely Jewish sect had it not a purely Jewish sect had it not been for Saul of Tarsusbeen for Saul of Tarsus

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul of TarsusPaul of Tarsus a Jewish Roman citizen a Jewish Roman citizen Spent time persecuting Christians, including Spent time persecuting Christians, including

executing them.executing them. Converted to Christianity and took the name Converted to Christianity and took the name

PaulPaul He made three long journeys throughout Asia He made three long journeys throughout Asia

Minor and along the coast of the Aegean to Minor and along the coast of the Aegean to spread Christianity and establish Christian spread Christianity and establish Christian communities. communities.

The Works of PaulThe Works of Paul

Paul's Roman citizenship, the good roads, Paul's Roman citizenship, the good roads, and listeners open to new ideas helped Paul and listeners open to new ideas helped Paul spread Christianity in the Greek-speaking spread Christianity in the Greek-speaking world. world.

Emphasized that Christianity was not just a Emphasized that Christianity was not just a sect of Judaismsect of Judaism

The Works of PaulThe Works of Paul

Taught that Jesus, by his death and Taught that Jesus, by his death and resurrection, had fulfilled the prophecy of resurrection, had fulfilled the prophecy of Judaism and initiated a new age.Judaism and initiated a new age.

Taught that Jesus was the son of God, the Taught that Jesus was the son of God, the giver of a new law, and preached that Jesus’ giver of a new law, and preached that Jesus’ teachings were open to allteachings were open to all

The Works of PaulThe Works of Paul Made a significant break with JudaismMade a significant break with Judaism

– Seek convertsSeek converts

According to tradition, while in Rome, Paul According to tradition, while in Rome, Paul preached and taught for two years before being preached and taught for two years before being executed.executed.

He wrote most of the New Testament in the He wrote most of the New Testament in the form of epistles; formal letters he wrote to the form of epistles; formal letters he wrote to the churches he helped establish such as his churches he helped establish such as his letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Ephesians, and ColossiansPhilippians, Ephesians, and Colossians

Rome's Early ResponseRome's Early Response

At first the Romans paid little attention to the At first the Romans paid little attention to the Christians. Christians.

Some Romans were quite suspicious of Some Romans were quite suspicious of Christians, and Nero blamed them for starting a Christians, and Nero blamed them for starting a major fire that destroyed much of Rome. major fire that destroyed much of Rome.

Although by A.D. 100 there was a law Although by A.D. 100 there was a law condemning admitted Christians to death, it condemning admitted Christians to death, it was seldom enforced. was seldom enforced.

PERSECUTIONPERSECUTION Great persecutions of Great persecutions of

Christians began in 3Christians began in 3rdrd century century ADAD

Christian intolerance of pagan Christian intolerance of pagan beliefs bred powerful retaliatory beliefs bred powerful retaliatory hatred of Christianshatred of Christians– Accused Christians of Accused Christians of

cannibalism, atheism, and of cannibalism, atheism, and of being haters of mankindbeing haters of mankind

– Charged with being sneaky Charged with being sneaky and with dishonoring the and with dishonoring the emperoremperor

– Also blamed with all the evils Also blamed with all the evils that afflicted the statethat afflicted the state

The Attack on ChristianityThe Attack on Christianity

In A.D. 250 Emperor Decius ordered the In A.D. 250 Emperor Decius ordered the execution of all Christians who refused to execution of all Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods. worship the Roman gods.

Up until A.D. 311, Christians suffered two more Up until A.D. 311, Christians suffered two more waves of persecution under two different waves of persecution under two different emperors. emperors.

Roman mobs destroyed Christian churches and Roman mobs destroyed Christian churches and sacred books. Christians were fired from jobs, sacred books. Christians were fired from jobs, forced to leave the army, attacked, and killed. forced to leave the army, attacked, and killed.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNEREVERSAL OF FORTUNE

In the end, the persecutions did In the end, the persecutions did not succeed in eliminating not succeed in eliminating ChristianityChristianity– Too many Christians protected Too many Christians protected

each othereach other– Persecutions also created martyrs Persecutions also created martyrs

who inspired otherswho inspired others Came to an end with death of Came to an end with death of

Galerius and then Constantine Galerius and then Constantine officially protected themofficially protected them

Constantine credited with Constantine credited with being the first Christian being the first Christian emperoremperor

Constantine

ConstantineConstantine Leading his army into battle when he Leading his army into battle when he

saw a blazing cross in the sky.saw a blazing cross in the sky. Beneath were the words:Beneath were the words:

In Hoc Signo VincesIn Hoc Signo Vinces

““In this sign, In this sign, conquer”conquer”

ConstantineConstantine Placed himself and his army under the Placed himself and his army under the

protection of the Christian Godprotection of the Christian God After his victory, he declared himself a After his victory, he declared himself a

Christian and supported Christianity Christian and supported Christianity throughout the empire.throughout the empire.

Baptized on his deathbed in A.D. 337Baptized on his deathbed in A.D. 337

Constantine and the growth of Constantine and the growth of ChristianityChristianity

Issues the Edict of Milan allowing for religious Issues the Edict of Milan allowing for religious tolerationtoleration

Made it legal for Christians to worship, gave Made it legal for Christians to worship, gave money to the church, and became involved with money to the church, and became involved with church decision-making. church decision-making.

Gave Christianity the support of the Roman Gave Christianity the support of the Roman authorities, but also combined religion and authorities, but also combined religion and government. government.

Christianity Becomes Official in RomeChristianity Becomes Official in Rome Theodosius became Theodosius became

emperor in 379 AD and emperor in 379 AD and proclaimed Christianity proclaimed Christianity to be the official religion to be the official religion of the stateof the state– Christians immediately Christians immediately

begin to persecute pagansbegin to persecute pagans Destroyed temples or Destroyed temples or

converted them into converted them into churcheschurches

Church firmed up its Church firmed up its organization and settled organization and settled disputes with powerful disputes with powerful intellectual strengthintellectual strength

How did the Roman Empire help How did the Roman Empire help spread Christianity?spread Christianity?

During Pax Romana, missionaries traveled safelyDuring Pax Romana, missionaries traveled safely Roman Roads helped to spread quicklyRoman Roads helped to spread quickly Constantine convertedConstantine converted Constantine built churches in Rome and Constantine built churches in Rome and

JerusalemJerusalem Religious freedomReligious freedom Christianity becomes official religion of the Roman Christianity becomes official religion of the Roman

EmpireEmpire

The Spread of Christianity by 600

The Spread of Christianity by 600

Judeo-Christian TraditionJudeo-Christian Tradition

Judaism and Christianity are two different Judaism and Christianity are two different religions, but they both read and believe in religions, but they both read and believe in the “Old Testament”.the “Old Testament”.

Together, the set of morals are called a Together, the set of morals are called a “Judeo-Christian” tradition. “Judeo-Christian” tradition.

Most western countries have laws based Most western countries have laws based upon this tradition.upon this tradition.