Christianity’s Establishment and Rise

The Greatest Extent of the Roman Empire – 14 CE

 The official state religion of the Roman Empire focused on the worship of a number of different gods and goddesses  Jupiter (chief god), Juno (wife of chief god), Minerva (goddess of wisdom), Mars (god of war)  In addition, emperors were often officially made gods by the Roman Senate  Believed proper ritual by state priests brought them into a right relationship with the gods RELIGION IN ROME

 A right relationship guaranteed peace and prosperity  Romans believed their success proved that the gods looked with favor on them  Romans were often tolerant to other religions  Even adopted some local gods  Roman conquest of eastern Mediterranean territories brought in numerous new religions RELIGION IN ROME Minerva Cicero: We have overcome all the nations of the world because we have realized that the world is directed and governed by the gods.”

 BCE 63: Rome conquers Judaea and installs a pro Roman Jewish Governor (Herod)  When Herod Dies his sons fight for control of Judaea, the Romans eventually come in to bring peace to the region  Roman leaders allowed Jews to practice religion as long as they paid tribute, maintained civic order JUDAISM IN THE ROMAN WORLD

Reactions to Roman Rule Judaism had different branches, varying ideas on cooperation with Romans Zealots called on fellow Jews to drive Romans from Judaea, reestablish Kingdom of Israel Messianic Prophecies After revolt in 130s, all Jews banned from Jerusalem Not all Jews willing to take up arms; others waited coming of Messiah— spiritual leader prophesied to restore ancient kingdom, bring peace to world Zealots Zealots formed pockets of resistance against Romans of Judaea After mass uprising AD 66–70, Romans sacked Jerusalem, killed thousands of Jews, destroyed Second Temple Judaism in The Roman World

 AD 6: The area of Judaea became a Roman province under the rule of a procurator  Jews were divided into 3 main groups: 1.Sadducees: favored cooperation with the Romans 2.Essenes: awaited for a Messiah to save Israel from oppression and bring world peace 3.Zealots: advocated violent overthrow of the Romans In CE 66—led a revolt  Was crushed by the Romans four years later and the Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed JUDAISM IN THE ROMAN WORLD

Against this background, a spiritual leader named Jesus of Nazareth emerged, teaching people to prepare for God’s Judgment Day. Nearly all knowledge of Jesus comes from Gospels—first four books of New Testament New Testament and books of Hebrew Bible make up today’s Christian Bible Jesus born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem Learned carpentry, studied writings of Jewish prophets Life Jesus preached message of renewal and warning Gathered group of disciples Created excitement by performing miracles of healing; defending poor, oppressed Instructed people to repent of sins, seek God’s forgiveness Must love God above all, love others as much as self Preaching Jesus of Nazareth

 Judean authorities saw Jesus as a potential revolutionary  They did not want another disastrous revolt against Rome  Therefore, a Jewish court turned him over to Romans  Procurator Pontius Pilate ordered his execution by crucifixion. -Crucifixion is a form of execution in which a person is either tied or nailed to a wooden cross and left to die. CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

 Christianity’s Expansion  Christianity becomes a powerful force and appeals to people because of these reasons:  embraces all people  gives hope to the powerless  appeals to those repelled by extravagance of Roman life  offers a personal relationship with God  promises eternal life after death CHRISTIANITY EXPANDS

 Paul of Tarsus: also preached in Jesus’ name  Helped to spread Christianity throughout Asia Minor and along the shores of the Aegean Sea  Mostly spread orally, but also written  Paul’s epistles outlined Christian beliefs  These writings became known as the Gospels  Most writings from CE CHRISTIANITY EXPANDS Paul of Tarsus

 The Gospels formed the core of the New Testament  At first, Romans paid little attention to Christianity  Thought of as just another sect of Judaism  Romans became more concerned as Christians began to refuse to worship the state gods and emperors  Saw this as an act of treason—punishable by death  Christians thought they would be risking their own salvation by worshipping ‘false gods’ PERSECUTION OF EARLY CHRISTIANS

Results As Christianity spread through Roman world, some local officials feared Christians conspiring against them; arrested, killed many Christians Those killed seen by Christians as martyrs, people who die for their faith Imperial Approval Spread of Christianity hastened by conversion of emperor Constantine AD 313, Constantine made Christianity legal within empire, Edict of Milan By late 300s, polytheism gradually disappeared from empire Threat Christians persecuted at local level, but large-scale persecution rare during first two centuries after Jesus’s life Christians won’t worship the Roman gods or the emperor. They are considered enemies of the State. Large-scale persecution by Romans grew as rulers saw Christianity as threat Persecution of Early Christians

 Nero: Roman emperor from CE  He blamed Christians for a fire that destroyed much of Rome  Many Christians were ordered to die cruelly PERSECUTION OF EARLY CHRISTIANS

 Roman emperor Diocletian led the last large Christian persecution during beginning of 4 th century  Even he admitted in records that Christianity was too strong to get rid of by force  Constantine: became the first Christian emperor  Edict of Milan (CE 313): Constantine proclaimed official tolerance of Christianity  Theodosius the Great: adopted Christianity as official state religion of Rome In 390 CE ACCEPTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY

The Spread of Christianity

 First Council of Nicaea- Was called by Constantine in 325 CE, and resulted in the first codified Christian doctrine; as well as the first version of Cannon laws.  Bishops took more control of church communities  Clergy: took on a larger role in the church CHRISTIANITY BECOMES MORE COMPLEX

Patriarchs did not recognize the popes’ supremacy claims at first, but over time popes gained more influence within the Christian Church. By about 100, priests who were trained in these ceremonies became prominent within Christianity. The authority of the priests was based on the authority Jesus gave the Apostles. This spiritual authority distinguished the priests from the general congregation of the church. Church expanded, developed administrative structure Bishop oversaw church affairs, had authority over other priests 300s, heads of oldest congregations, patriarchs, had authority over other bishops Administrative Structure Christianity becomes more Complex Many believed Peter founded Roman Church, was first bishop Later bishops of Rome, popes, Peter’s spiritual heirs Gospel of Matthew: Jesus gives Peter keys to kingdom of heaven Therefore future popes inherit keys Peter the Apostle

19 CHRISTIANITY BECOMES MORE COMPLEX The Christian Clergy Bishop Pope/Patriarch Diocese Priest + Community Diocese Priest + Community Diocese Priest + Community