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Christianity and the Roman Empire. Chapter 9, section 2. The Rise of Christianity. Romans conquer Judaea in 63 B.C. Resentment against Rome builds. Herod begins to govern Judaea in 37 B.C.
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Christianity and the Roman Empire Chapter 9, section 2
The Rise of Christianity • Romans conquer Judaea in 63 B.C. Resentment against Rome builds. Herod begins to govern Judaea in 37 B.C. • Jesus is born in the Judaean town of Bethlehem. He grows up in Nazareth, becomes a carpenter, and begins teaching at the age of 30. • Jesus teaches that there is only one true God who is loving and forgiving; and promised that people who believe in Him and His teachings will have everlasting life.
The Rise of Christianity • “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words. They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial taxto Caesar or not?’ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought Him a denarius, and He asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then He said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.” -Matthew 22: 15-22
The Rise of Christianity • Some fear Jesus’ teachings and complain to the Romans that Jesus is teaching that God is greater than the emperor. • Fearing He will lead an armed revolt against the government, the Roman governor condemns Jesus to death. • Jesus is crucified. According to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead and spoke to His disciples, telling them to spread His teachings. He also appeared to over 500 people.
The Spread of Christianity • Paul has a vision that Jesus speaks to him. He decided to travel to spread the word of Jesus. His epistles, or letters, help turn the Christian faith into an organized religion. • By A.D. 100, Christians were gathering in Alexandria, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, and Rome. • Poor city dwellers welcomed the message as “good news.”
The Spread of Christianity • Outsiders of the Christian faith were known as “pagans” • For worship, Christians prayed and sang; sometimes they read from scriptures (such as the Torah) and often interpreted Paul’s letters. • Two rites/holy acts: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Rome’s Reaction to Christianity • Christian’s lack of worship for the emperor, and refusal of responsibilities such as serving in the army and refusing to worship Roman gods, led Roman officials to view Christians as enemies of the empire. • Nero begins an official campaign against the Christians in A.D. 64. • A fire left much of the city in ruins. • Nero blamed the Christians and arrests and executes them, including Paul. • Christians were martyred for their faith—some forced to fight wild animals in the Colosseum, others soaked in oil and burned to death.
Rome’s Reaction to Christianity • Christian’s suffer severe persecution under Nero, Domitian, Marcus Aurelius, Decius, and Valerian. • Christianity continues to spread despite the efforts of Diocletian, the Roman Emperor, to stop it. • Christians are viewed as martyrs by the Romans. • Eventually, we will see that the Roman emperor Constantine will make big changes concerning the Roman Empire and Christianity.
