Early Christianity

Judaism at time of Jesus Recap of Jewish history Kingdom period (David & Solomon) – approx. 1000 BC Nebuchadnezzar destroys Temple of Solomon; exile to Babylon – 587 BC Cyrus the Great lets Jews return to Israel; Ezra brings back the Torah – 538 BC Hellenization under Seleucids (f. 323 BC) => Macabean revolt (167 BC) => Hasmonean kingdom (f.140 BC) Rome gains control in 63 BC Second temple destroyed by Titus in A.D. 70 Time of dissatisfaction with traditional temple priesthood and ritualistic approach to religion (like Buddha in India) Many different sects all competing with one another Sadducees – elite group; focused on rituals of temple and rule of high priests; wiling to coorperate with Romans Pharisees – average people; strict observers of rules for Jewish living; opposed to Roman rule Essenes – small monastic group; rejected authority of high priests; celibate Zealots – militaristic group who wanted to force the Romans out of Judea Teachers/leaders like Jesus and John the Baptist were part of this environment Jesus’ teaches closely match Hillel – famous Rabbi who dies in 10 BC – and so is part of Jewish tradition of the time "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation” ”Whoever destroys a soul, it is as if he destroyed an entire world; whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved an entire world. Internal Jewish “family” arguments Jews in Roman Empire: recognized religion – not required to worship Roman gods/emperor Jewish tax after destruction of second temple Later, Christians said there were not Jews which meant they didn’t have to pay the tax (but then there were not a legal religion)

Apostolic Period Disciple (follower) vs. Apostle (a person who goes out to spread the teachings) Apostolic Period (Age) – approx. A.D. 30 to 100; from death of Jesus to death of John the Apostle The apostles went out from Jerusalem to spread the teachings of Jesus; one even went to India (St. Thomas) All were killed (martyred) except John Great deal of diversity in how the apostles interpreted teachings of Jesus Jewish Christians – under James: saw themselves as Jewish reformers; Jesus as messiah but not as a deity Pauline Christians – under Paul; combined Jewish ideas with elements of pagan religions; Jesus as god-man Gnostic Christians and other groups MESSIAH – literally means “anointed one” i.e. someone consecrated with holy oil; Jewish idea was a king from line of David returning to reestablish kingdom; later more broadly as a leader to bring an era of peace and plenty – end of history

New Testament Written over time, by different people Traditionally, it was thought that the New Testament was written during this apostolic period (A.D. 50-100)

Simon Peter  Peter the Apostle Fisherman and follower of Jesus One of the original apostles Originally, the apostles were devout Jews; saw Christianity as a sect of Judaism They only preaches to other Jews (mostly in the Diaspora, i.e. outside of Judeah) To be Christian, you had to be a Jew and follow Jewish laws, e.g. circumcision and dietary laws Peter was supposedly the first to convert a non-Jew (he converted Cornelius – a Roman military officer) – major turning point! GENTILE: non-Jew Eventually he was crucified in Rome by order of Nero (legend says he was crucified upside down)

Saul of Tarsus  Paul the Apostle Paul the Apostle – one of the most influential of the early Christian missionaries Started out as Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and strongly opposed to followers of Jesus Believed to have been a Roman citizen While on his way to Damascus to take charge of a group of Christians and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment, he was struck blind by resurrected Jesus who sent down a powerful beam of light After three days, his sight was restored, and he began to preach that Jesus was the Jewish messiah and son of God He traveled all over the eastern Roman empire, converting mostly gentiles He accepted that you could be a Christian without following all the Jewish traditions like circumcision and dietary laws; making Christianity a universal religion rather than a religion of the Jews Presumed beheaded in Rome by order of Nero in A.D. 64 or 67 (Roman citizens were not crucified!)

Journeys of Paul the Apostle

Important Cities * * * * * * * * * Germany Atlantic Ocean Black Sea Britain Germany Atlantic Ocean Gaul Dacia Black Sea Constantinople Italy Adriatic Sea Macedonia * * Spain Greece Aegean Sea Asia Minor Antioch Rome Tyrrhenian Sea Ionian Sea * * * * Carthage Syria Sicily Athens Corinth * Ephesus Mediterranean Sea (Mare Nostrum) Jerusalem Africa Judea * Alexandria * Egypt Red Sea

Early Christian Symbols Chi-Rho – first two letters of Christ in Greek (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ or Christos) – was used by early Christian Fish – word for fish in Greek was ІΧΘΥΣ which are the letters for the words Jesus Christ Son God Savior Anchor – symbolizes safety and hope Others – peacock, dove, good shephard, etc.

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