Christianity

1. Christianity -Judea (the Holy Lands) became under the rule of the Roman Empire and was ruled by Roman governors like Pontius Pilate (26 – 36 AD. The Romans called the land, Palestine. -The Jews eventually launched an uprising in 66 AD. -The Romans crushed the revolt and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. All that remains today is the Wailing Wall. Dead Sea Scrolls

2. Life and Teachings of Jesus -Jesus was born of the virgin, Mary, in Bethlehem in Judea 2 or 3 BC. -After working as a carpenter, he traveled Judea preaching love for his fellow humans, and practicing miracles. -When he reached Jerusalem for Passover, he was greeted by huge crowds, hoping that he would lead a rebellion against the Romans. -When they realized he had no intention of this and declared himself God himself, they turned against him. -He was betrayed by Judas, one of his disciples, he was charged with treason and crucified by the Romans.

3. The Travels of Paul -Word spread that Jesus had been seen alive after his crucifixion, and small Christian communities emerged. -Paul (born Saul) was an educated Jew originally opposed to Christians; but met Jesus on the road to Damascus that converted him to Christianity. -He then traveled the Roman world arguing that Jesus was the Son of God who had died to forgive the sins of humanity. -He traveled over 8,000 miles preaching and was put to death in 65 AD. As a result of his work, large numbers of Christian communities emerged.

4. The Appeal of Christianity -Christianity spread because it was a dynamic, aggressively proselytizing religion offering salvation. -Simplicity: Its demand of absolute allegiance to one god and rejection of all other beliefs offered permanent values in a time of confusion. -Equality: It stressed the value of every soul, and common humanity, regardless of class or national background, and was a universal religion that all could join. -Hope: It was a compelling vision missing in other traditional religions of the time, as well as some sects of Judaism. While other religions stressed an afterlife, the courage of the Christian martyrs gave their beliefs credibility.

5. The Further Appeal of Christianity -Christianity satisfied the universal need to belong to a community. Older close-knit social structures were long gone. The Roman empire was filled with rootless and displaced individuals with few links to traditional communities. -Persecution only strengthened the bonds of the early Christian church. -The church gave communities social stability. It took care of the sick, widowed, and orphaned, and gave a sense of self-respect to the poor.

6. Persecution of the Christians -Christianity was seen as a subversive threat to Rome. They were traitors to the state religion of Rome. Christian martyrs in the Roman Coliseum -Christians refused to join the Roman army and condemned other religions. -Persecutions took place during the first four centuries of the Empire. -The bloodiest persecutions were under Nero (54-68 AD) and Diocletian (285-305 AD). Christian martyrs died rather than sacrifice to pagan gods. -Eventually the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, and it became the state religion of Rome early in the 4thcentury.

7. Council of Nicaea -In 313 AD, Constantine ordered that Christianity would be tolerated throughout the Roman empire (Edict of Milan). -He invited all of the leading Christian thinkers of the time to assemble at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) to formally recognize Christianity and to compile a list of formal doctrines for all to believe. -By the reign of Theodosius I (379-395 AD), pagans were being persecuted by Christians. -Eventually the roles were completely reversed when a Christian mob murdered the female philosopher Hypatia at Alexandria in 415 AD, urged on by an archbishop of the church.

8. The Nicaean and Apostle’s Creed -These creeds are lists of beliefs shared by all Christians regardless of denomination established in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. 1) We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. 2) We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. 3) We believe Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and was made a man and that he was fully god and fully man. 4) We believe that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, that he suffered, died, and was buried and that he rose again (was resurrected) on the third day. Thus providing victory over death. 5) We believe that he went up into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again (advent) to judge the living and the dead and there shall be no end to his Kingdom.

9. More Creed 6) We believe in the Holy Ghost who together with the Father and Son is to be adored and glorified (the Trinity). 7) We believe the church was given two sacraments (sacred practices) by God which we must follow: Baptism and the Lord’s Table. We believe that Jesus’ blood on the cross was shed for the atonement (forgiveness) of sins; that His death was a substitute for mankind so that mankind could be reconciled to God even in his sin. Thus his substitutionary death provided salvation to all who believe and repent. 9) We believe that the Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments) is God’s Holy Word given to mankind for instruction and guidance.

10. Question to Answer for Christians If you are a Christian, how would you answer the following question? Which branch of Christianity do you belong to? Catholic Protestant Orthodox Other _________________________

11. Catholic Church -The Catholic Church is headquartered in Rome at the Vatican and ruled by the Pope (Latin for father). His office is officially called the Bishop of Rome. -The Catholic Church believes that eternal life is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ and obey the sacraments established by the church. -The Catholic Church believes that sinful man must confess his sins to a priest who then delivers a sentence of penance. Mankind due to his sinful nature cannot reach God through prayer but have his prayers interceded by a saint of the church such as Mary the mother of God. Pope Benedict XVI

12. The Catholic Church -Catholic church services are called a mass. -Many Catholic churches are called cathedrals especially those in Europeand are brilliantly decorated inside. -The Catholic Bible contains the Apocrypha between the Old and New Testaments. -The Catholic Church teaches seven sacraments that must be observed. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

13. The Seven Catholic Sacraments 1) Baptism. Catholics baptize infants as well as adults by pouring water three times on the head. Catholics believe that baptism frees them from their sins and incorporates them into the body of Christ. 2) Confirmation. The grace that is given in baptism is strengthened and deepened by the laying on of hands by the priest for young adults who understand the significance of salvation. 3) Eucharist. The partaking of the bread and wine, also known as Holy Communion. Catholics believe in transubstantiation, meaning that once the priest blesses the bread and wine, it literally becomes the body and blood of Christ. Catholics partake in the Eucharist at every mass and most other services including funerals and weddings.

14. 4) Reconciliation. This is spiritual healing for a person who has distanced himself from God as a result of sins committed. It involves four steps: 1. Feeling remorse. 2. Confession to a priest. 3. Absolution (taking away the sin). 4. Penance (making amends). 5) Extreme Unction. Also known as the Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites. This is given only to those in danger of dying where absolution of sins is given and the Eucharist is administered if possible. 6) Holy Orders. This is the ordination (process of setting apart a person to perform certain duties) of church officers including Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and Priests giving them authority over the lay people of the church.

15. Holy Matrimony 7) Holy Matrimony. This is a sign of the love Christ has for the Church. Marriage in the Catholic faith once entered into and consummated cannot be dissolved (no divorce). -Catholics condemn abortion and any artificial means of birth control. Thus Catholic couples often have many children.

16. Orthodox Churches -Orthodox churches were originally part of the Roman Catholic Church but branched out to the East. -Orthodox churches today are either the Greek Orthodox or Russian Orthodox variety. -Orthodox churches are similar to the Catholic church in beliefs and practices. However, they are more independent because they have no central headquarters or pope.

17. The Protestant Reformation -In the Middle Ages, the Catholic church had become corrupt and powerful. The Bible was hand written on scrolls in Latin, masses were preached in Latin, which was not the common language of the people. The church was in the business of selling indulgences (money given to the church to get deceased loved ones out of purgatory) and asking money for people to get blessings from contact with relics. -Martin Luther, a German monk, despised these practices and posted his 95 Theses (protests) on the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517 AD. -Luther declared that faith alone in Christ alone was all that was needed for salvation and that the Bible was the only authority for a Christian. A Christian had the right to interpret Scripture and did not need a priest to interpret it for him.

18. Results of the Reformation -Luther turned the Christian world upside down. Violence between Catholics and Protestants occurred in Europe for centuries after the Reformation and still occurs today. -Such violence resulted in the settling of America in the 1600s. People came for religious freedom due to persecution experienced back in Europe. -Another result was the eventual reform of the Catholic church, removing such practices of selling indulgences and visiting relics. -Luther’s insistence on each person’s right to interpret Scripture led to the development of many different denominations of Protestant churches today.

19. Protestant Denominations

20. Why Protestant Denominations? -Each denomination branched off from Luther’s original Protestant Church due to differences of opinion on practices and doctrines of the church. For Example: -Days of worship: Sabbath or Sunday (Lord’s Day) Seventh Day Adventists -Baptism: Method (sprinkling, pouring, or immersion) (adults or infants) Baptists -Losing salvation: Wesleyan, Methodist -Communion: (juice or wine) (leavened or unleavened bread) (symbolism) How often? -Free Will vs Sovereignty: (Calvinism) Dutch Reformed – Reformed Churches of America – Christian Reformed

21. Hypatia Creed Denomination Resurrection Advent Trinity Sacrament Baptism Communion Eucharist Atonement Reconciliation Repentance Vatican Pope Benedict XVI Intercession Mass Cathedral Confirmation Transubstantiation Absolution Penance Extreme Unction Ordination Consummation Reformation Martin Luther Indulgences Relics Purgatory Wittenberg Reform Immersion Sovereignty Vocabulary List Judea Pontius Pilate Virgin Mary Disciples Crucifixion Paul Conversion Proselytize Allegiance Martyr Credibility Persecution Subversive Nero Pagan Constantine Edict of Milan Council of Nicaea Doctrine