1 Origins of Christianity Jesus’ followers spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, bringing it in conflict with Roman polytheism and eventually changing Western civilization Christianity’s origins – Had its roots in Judaism – Is led by Jesus, proclaimed as the son of God and Messiah (Savior) – Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of the Roman Empire

2 Beliefs, Traditions, Customs - Christianity Christians are monotheists Jesus is the Son & incarnation of God Christians believe in life after death The New Testament, meaning “New Covenant,” contains accounts of the life and teachings (sayings) of Jesus and the writings of early Christians Christian doctrine is established by early church councils

3 Beliefs, Traditions, Customs - Christianity Most information about Jesus is from the Gospels, or Good News, the first four books of Bible’s New Testament Christianity is led by Jesus, proclaimed as the son of God and Messiah (Savior) – Followers of Christ are called Christians

4 Beliefs, Traditions, Customs - Christianity Christians are monotheists – Christians believe in one God, most of the world’s people practice polytheism – Jews and Christians share belief in one God Jesus is Son & incarnation of God – Jesus is God’s only Son – Jesus is God incarnate (God in human flesh) – Although both Jews and Christians believe in one God, only Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God – Jesus’ “mission” was to save people from their sin and reconcile them to God The Star of David (left) is a symbol for Jews while the cross (right) is a symbol for Christians

5 The New Testament, meaning “New Covenant,” contains accounts of the life and teachings (sayings) of Jesus and the writings of early Christians Beliefs, Traditions, Customs - Christianity

6 Spread of Christianity (6h) Popularity of Christian message aided its spread Death of early Christian martyrs inspired others Apostles (Christian missionaries), including Paul, spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire

7 Spread of Christianity (6h) Popularity of Christian message aided its spread – Christianity based on Christ’s love and death on a Roman cross to pay for the sin’s of mankind – Promised eternal life for all who believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior – Very appealing to Jewish converts and Gentiles Death of early Christian martyrs inspired others – Believers willingly died for their faith – Inspired others to become followers of Jesus – Christianity spreads quickly throughout Roman world

8 Apostles (Christian missionaries), including Paul, spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire – Apostle Paul -- a prolific New Testament writer – After Paul’s conversion to Christianity he began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God who died for the sins of all people, not just Jews – Paul traveled and preached throughout the Eastern Mediterranean including Rome – Excellent Roman Roads & common languages, Greek and Latin, aided Christianity's spread “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:4 Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

9 Spread of Christianity (6h) Spread was slowed as a result of the persecution by Roman authorities Many Emperors persecuted Christians – Christians refused to worship Roman gods Rome continued to exile, imprison or kill Christians for not worshipping Roman gods Christians were also crucified, burned or killed by wild animals in the circus arenas In A.D. 64, the Roman Emperor Nero ordered the persecution of Christians From the perspective of a typical Roman emperor, Christianity threatened to lay waste to traditional Roman values and practices, to sabotage the very basis for Roman power, to pervert what was Rome.

10 Spread of Christianity (6h) Emperor Constantine adopted and legalized Christianity – In A.D. 313, Constantine ordered the end of the persecution of Christians and in the Edict of Milan, he declared Christianity one of the religions approved by the emperor – In 380, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the Empire’s official religion Emperor Constantine, A.D. 285? – 337, became a defender of the Christian faith Theodosius

11 Impact of Church of Rome in Late Roman Empire (6i) As the Roman Empire declined in the West, the Church of Rome grew in importance, followers, and influence

12 As the Roman Empire declined in the West, the Church in Rome grew in importance, followers & influence In the third century A.D., the Roman Empire faced – Economic decline and inflation; loss of trade; less gold and silver from conquered territories; and falling agricultural harvests – Growing military weakness due to threats from invaders; a collapse of discipline and loyalty; and use of poorly paid mercenaries – Political instability as people didn’t care about the empire’s fate – Poor leadership as emperors fought for power & civil wars erupted The administration of the Roman Empire eventually evolves into separate Eastern and Western halves – This division, and the reforms of key emperors, prolonged the empire for about 200 more years

13 The church became a source of moral authority Loyalty to the church became more important than loyalty to the emperor The church became main unifying force of Western Europe – As the Roman Empire declined, the church expanded its influence and power – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal – Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity the official religion of Rome; church influence & power grow more