Review Questions

Review Questions • 1. What is the Torah ? • 2. What Kingdom did the Jews establish ? • 3. What code of ethics do Jews & Christians follow ? • 4. How did Ancient Israel fall ?

#2 - AIM: What is Christianity?6.3

Ancient Rome

Origins of Christianity 6.3 • Originally a sect of Judaism • Believe that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah • Messiah – savior chosen by God to restore the Kingdom of Israel (occupied by the Roman Empire) • Appeal – message of equality

Origins of Christianity (6.3) • Birth of Jesus Christ led to rise of Christianity • believe the Virgin Mary told by Angel Gabriel she would conceive a child - the Son of God. • Christians - Believe Jesus was the Messiah • There is a Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, (Jesus), God the Holy Spirit.

Christmas Route

Life of Jesus Christ • Born in Bethlehem, Raised in Nazareth • Age 30 begins preaching monotheism • used Parables (short stories with simple moral lesson) • Does good works, reportedly performs miracles • Water into wine, walked on water – greatest miracle raising Lazarus from the dead. • Stresses personal relationship with God, love for friends and enemies • Preached the existence of an eternal kingdom for sinner who repent (Heaven) • Appeal – ignores wealth & status… poor

And behold, a lawyer stood saying "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Christ healing the blind man. Painting (16th century), El Greco.

Life of Jesus Christ • Apostles – Jesus’ pupils or disciples • spread message of Jesus through Roman Empire – there were12 • Believed to have written some of the Gospels, the 1st four books of the New Testament • Threat? To Who?

Becomes the “Christ” • Christos - Greek word for “savior” • Christianity - derived from “Christ” • Christians celebrate Easter as the most important religious holiday – “The Resurrection of Jesus

The Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, gave the crowd the choice to free a notorious criminal, Barabbas, or Jesus. The crowd chose Barabbas. Pilate asked, “then what am I to do with Jesus, the so-called Messiah?” The crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” Pilate washed his hands declaring, “I am innocent of the blood of this just man, the responsibility is yours. The whole people said in reply, “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” Matthew 27: 15-26

Growth of Christianity • The original 12 were know as Apostles spread Christianity • The disciples or followers of Jesus spread the new religion • Catholics believe there have lived holy men and women whose lives embody Christ’s teachings. These people have performed miracles. • When they are canonized they are known as Saints

Growth of Christianity • A later disciple, Paul widely traveled. Preached Jesus’ message during Pax Romana - unprecedented time of peace in Rome

Paul’s Teachings • Wrote influential letters, called Epistles, to believers. • Stressed Jesus was the Son of God • Christianity should accept all converts which helped to spread Christianity

Christian Persecution – After Pax Romana • Romans exile, imprison, or execute Christians for refusing to worship Roman deities

Diaspora • [66 AD] Band of Jews rebel against Roman Empire • [70 AD] Romans destroy the temple complex - half million Jews are killed in this rebellion • Diaspora: Jews are driven from homeland into exile – Jewish state will not exist for 1800 yrs. • From Greek word for “dispersal”

[313 AD] Edict of Milan • Constantine ended persecution of the Christians. • As Emperor of Rome, Constantine declared Christianity to be approved by state • Later, Emperor Theodosius claimed in 380 AD Christianity the official religion of the state

Constantine and Red Crosses • Saw a cross before a battle. • He had his soldiers paint red crosses on their shields • The purpose of the Crosses was to recognize Christianity as a legally recognized and honored religion

Roman Emperor Constantine Has A Vision of a Fiery Cross and Converts to Christianity Around 330 A.D

Review Questions • . Followers of Christianity accept ____________ as the Messiah. • 2. The Emperor who accepted Christianity was called _______________. • 3. The Law that made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire was called __________. • 4. Most holy religious holiday that represents the resurrection of Jesus. _________________

Review Questions