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The Rise of Christianity

The Rise of Christianity. World History I Heritage High School Mr. Irwin. Essential Questions. How did Christianity build on Jewish beliefs? Who was Jesus and what did he do? What did Jesus’ disciples do after his death?

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The Rise of Christianity

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  1. The Rise of Christianity World History I Heritage High School Mr. Irwin

  2. Essential Questions • How did Christianity build on Jewish beliefs? • Who was Jesus and what did he do? • What did Jesus’ disciples do after his death? • What was Rome’s attitude towards Christianity in its early stages and how did it change?

  3. Christianity’s Jewish Roots • Rome had conquered the Jewish kingdom of Judea in 63 B.C.E. • Where is Judea? • Many Jews hated being under Roman rule and sought out ways to secure freedom from foreign rulers • Sacred Jewish writings promised a Messiah who come and free them

  4. Life of Jesus • Gospels – accounts of Jesus’ life written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John • 1st four books of the New Testament • Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth • Father, Joseph, was a carpenter • Not much known about life before preaching • Celebrate birthday as Christmas

  5. Teachings of Jesus • Preached justice, compassion, coming of God’s kingdom • Delivered teachings using parables: stories with morals • Sermon on the Mount became most famous • Asked people to love and pray for enemies • To live simply and humbly • “Love thy neighbor” • Had 12 disciples as his followers • Some Jewish leaders angered by his teachings • Also upset that some called him the Messiah

  6. Review Questions: What did some Jews believe the Messiah would do? What form did Jesus’ teachings often take?

  7. Jesus – A Threat to Rome? • Claim that Jesus was Messiah was direct threat to Roman rule • Power and authority of Roman rulers came into question • During Passover, Jesus had criticized the running of a temple • Jewish leaders appointed by Rome arrested Jesus and turned him over to the Romans for punishment

  8. Death of Jesus • Brought to trial before Pontius Pilate • Called for execution by crucifixion: hanging on a cross until suffocated • Buried in tomb, but on the third day some followers claim that he had risen from the dead • Resurrection: return to life • Account of this proved to followers that he was divine • Followers believed Jesus gave his life to create new world • In this new world, sin and death are defeated

  9. The Early Christians • First disciples were Jews, also known as apostles • Wanted to spread Jesus’ message and convert others • Early church stressed sharing property, meals, and practicing charity • All members were equal including women • This greatly appealed to women, slaves, and the poor • Romans leaders ignored Christians at first

  10. Spread of Christianity • Christianity becomes separate from Judaism and starts to attract many Gentiles (non-Jews) • One of the first missionary (a person who spreads faith by converting others) was Paul • Had Roman citizenship • PaxRomanaand the Roman roads aided in his travels

  11. Paul’s Influence • Started many new churches • Wrote letters to the churches explaining Christian beliefs • These letters became part of New Testament as Epistles • Wrote that Christianity removed barriers between people • Jews, Greeks, slaves, man, woman are “all one in Christ Jesus” • Eventually persecuted (opposed or harassed) by Roman emperor Nero and died in Rome

  12. A Christian Threat to Rome? • Romans did allow other religions in empire • But became alarmed at rate of Gentiles becoming Christians • Some said didn’t have to worship emperor • Appeal of women, slaves, and the poor also alarming • Thought God’s kingdom implied an end of the Roman Empire • Started persecuting Christians • Some hid in catacombs (underground cemeteries with secret passages) • Many Christians died at hands of Romans

  13. Constantine • Constantine became emperor in 306 C.E. • At first allowed persecutions of Christians • During battle for leadership in 312 C.E., Constantine prayed for help • Said he saw cross in sky and prediction of win • Had soldiers put crosses on shields and battle flags • Constantine won the battle that day

  14. Legalization and Adoption of Christianity • Constantine ended persecutions • Edict of Milan (312 C.E.) made Christianity a legal religion within the Roman Empire • Constantine had churches built, and made Sunday a holy day • Didn’t formally convert to Christianity until he was on his death bed • Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire in 380

  15. Structure of the Church • Priests and deacons run local parishes • Obeyed bishops: local church leaders • Christian church was all Roman Catholic until the 1500s • Much later, Rome’s bishop becomes pope: the most important bishop • Created sacraments – religious rites like baptism and communion

  16. Power of the Church • Christianity becomes very wealthy and powerful • The Church became the source of moral authority • Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to empire • Aides in the decline of the Roman Empire

  17. Essential Questions: Take a few moments and answer these questions. • How did Christianity build on Jewish beliefs? • Who was Jesus and what did he do? • What did Jesus’ disciples do after his death? • What was Rome’s attitude towards Christianity in its early stages and how did it change?

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