Christianity Basic Tenets

1. Christianity Basic Tenets

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.”

6. Was Jesus Dangerous? *Jewish priests and Roman leaders considered Jesus dangerous to their leadership 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. *Romans considered Jesus a revolutionary He was tried and crucified

7. 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.

8. 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 alive • Christians 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

9. 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 Greek ideas from Plato and the Stoics moderated the Christian church which many Romans liked Paul from Asia Minor *Christians were persecuted and became Martyrs

10. Christianity the official of the Roman Empire *After the empire fell, The Church preserved, adapted and spread Greco-Roman civilization Theodosius the Great 346-395

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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.