Roots of Christianity

What do we know about Christianity?

With the person next to you, brainstorm a list of things you already know about Christianity.

6 BC: Rome conquers Israel

Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem, a city in Israel▪ Mary is pregnant with a child although Joseph

was not the father▪ An angel appeared to tell them that her child,

Jesus, was the messiah and would save the Jewish people.

Jesus of Nazarath

As a boy and young man, Jesus showed interest in religion.

He began to teach that salvation is possible for all people. People must worship God (called

Jehovah or just God) and lead good lives.

Primary source page 169

Teachings

Jesus preached to many people who were outcasts (think of the untouchables in the caste system) Prostitutes Lepers

Very appealing for people seeking hope

Crucifixion Jesus’

teachings were unpopular with many Jews and Romans

They put him on trial as a criminal and had him crucified, or nailed to a cross until he died.

Resurrection

Christians believe that after he died, he was resurrected, or rose from the grave before going to heaven.

The Holy Trinity

Father (God)

Son(Jesus)

Holy Ghost(after

Resurrection)

Salvation

Christians believe that God sacrificed Jesus, his son, so other people could be saved.

Therefore, it was Jesus’ destiny to die an agonizing death on the cross. Christians who have faith in Jesus and

God go to heaven when they die.

Apostles spread Christianity

Jesus had apostles, or followers

Spread his teachings

Pax Romana helped spread Christianity

Most important apostle was Paul, whose letters are the oldest (e.g. Corinthians)

New Testament

The apostles’ letters and writings became the New Testament of the Bible

Old Testame

nt (Torah)

New Testame

nt

Christian Bible

Crucifixtion

New Testament

Ten Commandments

messiah

Jesus

Jewish Diaspora- scatter, disperse

In 66 AD, the Jews in Israel rebelled against Rome

To end the rebellion, Romans stormed Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and exiled the Jews who scattered around the Roman Empire

Persecution

The Romans were suspicious of the Christians because they didn’t worship Roman gods

Thousands were crucified, burned, or forced to fight in the Coliseum

Martyrs

Early Christians who died for their beliefs are called martyrs.

Other Christians saw them as an example of strong faith.

Christianity grows- Map page 171

Reasons for the

popularity of

Christianity

Embraced

everyone

Gave hope

Promised an

afterlife

Personal relationsh

ip with God

Emperor Constantine

In 312 AD….. Finish the sentence

In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan which said Christians could worship in the Roman Empire

Constantine video: #2 2:30

Christianity becomes Rome’s official Religion

In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity Rome’s official religion

The Church- Christians gave their religion a structure

First pope comes from the Apostle Peter (“The Rock”)

Bisho

psPriests

“The people”

The Church

Settled disagreements about religion As center of empire, Rome made

sense to be center of Church

The Church in Europe

Loyalty to the Church became more important than the Roman Empire

The Church became the main unifying and moral force of Europe