The Origins of Christianity

For all the changes and adaptations Christianity has brought into its history, it all must begin with Jesus: Who was he? What do we know?

The word in the Bible translated as ‘repentance” is the Greek word “Metanoia” which means to “turn around.”

Jesus was against the “holiness code.” The parables of Jesus teach that our usual way of perceiving things is not God’s way of perceiving things.

It seems that Jesus was one of those rare teachers who lived what he taught.

The Early Jesus Movement His followers taught that three days after the death of Jesus he appeared before them alive and well.

Pentecost After Pentecost the disciples of Jesus, formerly confused and afraid, became full of faith and courage, to the point of willingness to become martyrs.

Paul Paul made the message of Jesus universal. You did not have to become a Jewish convert first in order to be a Christian.

Paul’s Journey’s Paul came preaching a message of love and hope that included all people, slaves and free, men and women, Jew and Gentile.

The New Testament The Gospels are proclamations of the “Good News” about Jesus. They are built on the memories and oral traditions of those who knew Jesus.

Christianity in the Roman World Some time shortly after the year 70, Gentile Christians were asked to leave the synagogue and Christianity became a separate religion.

Greek Philosophy: Plato Plato’s vision of two worlds gave philosophical expression to an important Christian teaching about how the Holy Spirit could influence people.

Mithraism was one of the early challenges to Christianity as were other groups such as the Gnostic Christians.

Constantine Constantine believed that he would come to rule the Roman Empire through the sign of Jesus.

Most Christians still believe the essentials of the Nicene Creed.