Rise and Spread of Christianity

1. Rise and Spread of Christianity

2. Religion in the Roman Empire • Religion in Rome was polytheistic & based upon the Greek gods • people were not very emotional about their religion • Many different religions were practiced in the empire • mostly tolerant of other religions • expected everyone who lived in the empire to respect the Roman gods as a sign of loyalty

3. Religion in the Roman Empire • In 63 B.C., the Romans conquered the Hebrew kingdom of Judea • allowed “Romanized Jews” to govern Judea • Hebrews were monotheistic & many refused to pay respect • Began to resist Roman rule • Believed that God would send the Messiah to restore the kingdom to the Jews

4. Jesus • Born between 6-4 B.C. in Bethlehem • City in Judea • Hebrew (Jewish upbringing) • Age 30: • Began preaching to villagers, used parables • short stories with simple moral lessons to communicate his ideas • Recruited 12 apostles to help him spread his ideas • Some Jews in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus, many of the priests felt he threatened their leadership • Roman authorities felt Jesus would lead the Jews in a revolt against their rule

5. The Teaching of Jesus • Jesus’ teachings • preached a religion based on the Jewish belief in one god (monotheism) • He was God’s son & that God would rid the world of evil • God is love, mercy and forgiveness towards others, & eternal life in heaven for those who repent their sins • Much of his good works on the Ten Commandments • Jesus’ message of eternal life in heaven appealed to many people, especially the poor

6. Death of Jesus • Roman leaders feared Jesus’ growing popularity • Many Hebrews in Judea did not accept the idea that Jesus was a Messiah • Accused him of blasphemy • Betrayed by one of his disciples • In 29 A.D., Jesus was arrested for defying Roman authority & was crucified • person was bound to a cross and left to die • Rumors then spread that Jesus had not died • Risen from death and commanded his disciples to spread his teachings • Afterwards the disciples reported he ascended into heaven

7. Christianity Spreads • Disciples preach the messages of Jesus throughout the Roman world • Peter established first Christian church in Rome itself • Paul played the most influential role in spreading Christianity • Spread Christianity throughout the Mediterranean • Letters became part of the New Testament in the Bible • The Apostles molded Jesus’ teachings based upon the idea that Jesus was God’s son & that he died for man’s sins

8. Christianity Spreads • Christianity spread quickly due to roads, numerous trade routes, & common language throughout the Roman Empire • Romans were not tolerant towards Christians because: • Refused to honor the emperor with sacrifices • Refused to worship Roman gods to protect the state • Used as scapegoats • Blamed for social and economic problems • Many Christians became martyrs- or people who suffer or die for their beliefs • Many were crucified, exiled, or executed during gladiator events

9. Early Christian Church • Emperor Constantine Converts to Christianity • Issued the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313. • The Edict granted freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman empire • 325 CE Council of Nicea • Constantine and church bishops • purpose of defining the nature of God for all of Christianity • Eliminating confusion, controversy, and contention within the church. • Affirmed the deity and eternality of Jesus Christ and defined the relationship between the Father and the Son as “of one substance.” • Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit • Brought together accepted texts which fit into established definitions • Created the Bible • In 395 A.D., Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire