RISE OF CHRISTIANITY From odd Jewish sect to Major World Religion

6 AD  Augustus turns Judah into the Roman province of Judea – Jews were treaty cruelly…strengthening the desire for the messiah.

30-33AD  Jesus travels through Galilee and Judea preaching… and gaining followers.  Jesus preached that the end was near and for repentance but God was loving and would forgive them.  The disciples (followers) of Jesus referred to him as Rabbi (Jewish teacher), and thought of him as the messiah… Other Jews did not…

33AD  The Roman governor Pontius Pilate (Pilatus) had Jesus arrested and crucified, the death of criminals.  Claiming resurrection by his followers, they began preaching that he was the Son of God. Jesus of Nazareth became Jesus Christos (Christ) (messiah in Greek).

 A sect (Roman opinion) emerges in Judaism – Christianity.  Small communal groups of Christians (49AD - Antioch) began forming churches for worship fellowship and instruction.  A Roman named Saul begins a persecution of Christians, converts, changes his name to Paul, and begins to “spread the word.”  Peter, one of the original disciples of Jesus, helps establish a church in Rome, Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, Gaul, and Spain.

66 AD & 70 AD  Jews Rebel against Roman rule and overpower the small army in Jerusalem.  Romans retake Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and kill thousands of Jews.

312 AD  Roman general Constantine leads armies into battle with the “symbol of God” on their shields.  Constantine is made emperor of Rome (Western Empire), and protector of Christianity.

392 AD  Under the emperor Theodosius, Christianity is made the official religion of the Roman Empire, banning other forms of worship.

398 AD  Augustine writes “Confessions”, describing his conversion to Christianity.  By Augustine’s time the Church had a definite structure, no longer small communities…  Parishes – Local gatherings led by priests  Diocese – Several parishes combined, overseen by a bishop; the larger the city – the more powerful the bishop.  Patriarchs – The bishops of the 5 leading cities if the time – Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

400s AD  the bishop of Rome began claiming authority over the other bishops, he was addressed as papa (pope today).  The pope was recognized as the leader in the Latin-speaking Western Roman Empire, but not by Greek- speaking Eastern Romans.  The western church will become the Roman Catholic Church, and the eastern church will become the Eastern Orthodox Church.

What is Orthodoxy?  Incarnation  Atonement  Trinity  Inerrancy of Scriptures

Distinctive Roman Catholic beliefs  the special authority of the pope,  the ability of saints to intercede on behalf of believers,  the concept of Purgatory as a place of afterlife purification before entering Heaven,  the doctrine of transubstantiation - that is, that the bread used in the Eucharist becomes the true body of Christ when blessed by a priest.

Distinctive Eastern Orthodox beliefs  The equal authority of church tradition and Scripture  Discouragement of individuals interpreting the Bible apart from tradition  The perpetual virginity of Mary  Prayer for the dead  Baptism of infants without reference to individual responsibility and faith  The possibility of receiving salvation after death  The possibility of losing salvation

1517 Protestant Reformation  The authority of Scripture: sola scriptura (Scripture alone)  the basis of salvation: Sola Gratia (Grace alone)  the means of salvation: Sola Fide (Faith alone)  the merit of salvation: Solus Christus (Christ alone)

31 Flavors of Christianity

IssueCatholicismMormonismJehovah's WitnessesChristianity Specific Church Leader on earth The Pope The Prophet Watchtower Organization none (except, of course, Jesus) Source of TheologyBible and TraditionBible and additional Scripture Bible and Watchtower Organization Bible Sample of non-biblical teachings Purgatory, Penance, Indulgences, praying to Mary, her assumption. Many gods, god from another world, goddess mother, you can become a god. Jesus is Michael the Archangel. No blood transfusions, no hell, 144,000 go to heaven If it isn't taught here, I don't believe it. Method of SalvationFaith, grace, baptism, works Grace through Faith True Church Their church organization is one true church All who are saved by grace through faith are in the true church Claim of AuthorityApostolic Succession Being the faithful servantIn Jesus alone AssetsGreat Wealth and Power Wealth, not much powerTreasures in heaven Goddess-like figure Mary has godlike abilities: able to hear and answer all prayers of all people all the time, intercede with God. Goddess Mother who has populated this world with spirits who inhabit human bodies Not Applicable Images of God, or Jesus, or Mary, etc. Used in worship in churches Used in temples and headquarters Not Applicable