Christianity

The Roots of Christianity Christianity was based on the life and teachings of the Jew, Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity was rooted in Jewish ideas and traditions Many Jews living in Judea believed that a new leader would appear among the Jews. The Jews would call this new leader the Messiah, which means “anointed one” in Hebrew. Jews believed that the Messiah would be chosen by God to lead them, however, no one knew when the Messiah would come. Christianity was based on the life and teachings of the Jew, Jesus of Nazareth. Christianity was rooted in Jewish ideas and traditions Many Jews living in Judea believed that a new leader would appear among the Jews. The Jews would call this new leader the Messiah, which means “anointed one” in Hebrew. Jews believed that the Messiah would be chosen by God to lead them, however, no one knew when the Messiah would come.

The Holy Book of Christianity The Bible- the holy book of Christianity The Bible is made up of two parts –Old Testament- largely the same as the Hebrew holy book –New Testament- account of the life and teachings of Jesus and the early history of Christianity The Bible- the holy book of Christianity The Bible is made up of two parts –Old Testament- largely the same as the Hebrew holy book –New Testament- account of the life and teachings of Jesus and the early history of Christianity

The Gospels Some of Jesus’ followers wrote accounts of his life and teachings. These accounts are called the Gospels. Four Gospels are found in the New Testament –They were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Both historians and religious scholars depend on the Gospels for information about Jesus’ life Some of Jesus’ followers wrote accounts of his life and teachings. These accounts are called the Gospels. Four Gospels are found in the New Testament –They were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Both historians and religious scholars depend on the Gospels for information about Jesus’ life

The Birth of Jesus According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem at the end of the 1st century B.C. In our dating system, his birth marks the shift from BC to AD. Jesus’ mother was married to a carpenter named Joseph. However, Christians believe that God, not Joseph was Jesus’ father. As Jesus grew up, he studied the laws and teachings of Judaism. By the age of 30, Jesus began to travel and teach, spreading his message among the Jewish people. These early followers later became the first Christians. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem at the end of the 1st century B.C. In our dating system, his birth marks the shift from BC to AD. Jesus’ mother was married to a carpenter named Joseph. However, Christians believe that God, not Joseph was Jesus’ father. As Jesus grew up, he studied the laws and teachings of Judaism. By the age of 30, Jesus began to travel and teach, spreading his message among the Jewish people. These early followers later became the first Christians.

Acts and Teachings Many people began following Jesus after they saw him perform miracles. A miracle is an event that cannot normally be performed by a human. Examples: –Healing of the injured or sick –Fed an entire crowd of people with only a few loaves of bread and fish Many people began following Jesus after they saw him perform miracles. A miracle is an event that cannot normally be performed by a human. Examples: –Healing of the injured or sick –Fed an entire crowd of people with only a few loaves of bread and fish

Acts and Teachings cont. The miracles that Jesus performed drew followers to believe that he was the son of God. One way Jesus taught his followers was through parables, stories that teach religious lessons about how to live life. These parables simplified complicated ideas and were related to people’s everyday lives. The miracles that Jesus performed drew followers to believe that he was the son of God. One way Jesus taught his followers was through parables, stories that teach religious lessons about how to live life. These parables simplified complicated ideas and were related to people’s everyday lives.

Jesus’s Message Jesus emphasized two rules: love God and love other people (even your enemies). Another important theme in Jesus’ teachings was salvation- the rescue of people from sin. –People who were saved from sin would enter the Kingdom of God when they died. Jesus emphasized two rules: love God and love other people (even your enemies). Another important theme in Jesus’ teachings was salvation- the rescue of people from sin. –People who were saved from sin would enter the Kingdom of God when they died.

Jesus’ Followers The Disciples were 12 men whom Jesus chose to receive special teaching. During his lifetime, they were among his closest followers and knew him very well. Jesus frequently sent the Disciples to spread his teachings. The Disciples were 12 men whom Jesus chose to receive special teaching. During his lifetime, they were among his closest followers and knew him very well. Jesus frequently sent the Disciples to spread his teachings.

The Crucifixion Jesus’ teaching not only drew many followers, but it challenged the authority of political and religious leaders, as well. Roman authorities arrested Jesus and he was tried and executed. He was killed by crucifixion- a type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross. Jesus’ teaching not only drew many followers, but it challenged the authority of political and religious leaders, as well. Roman authorities arrested Jesus and he was tried and executed. He was killed by crucifixion- a type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross.

The Resurrection Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead and vanished from his tomb three days after he was crucified. Jesus’ rise from the dead is referred to as the Resurrection. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead and vanished from his tomb three days after he was crucified. Jesus’ rise from the dead is referred to as the Resurrection.

The Spread of Christianity After the Resurrection, Christians believe that Jesus appeared to several of his disciples (followers) and gave them instructions about how to pass on his teachings. Forty days later, he rose up into heaven. Christians believe that the Resurrection was a sign that Jesus was the Messiah and the son of God. Some people began calling him Jesus Christ. It is from this word that the words “Christian” and “Christianity” eventually developed. After the Resurrection, Christians believe that Jesus appeared to several of his disciples (followers) and gave them instructions about how to pass on his teachings. Forty days later, he rose up into heaven. Christians believe that the Resurrection was a sign that Jesus was the Messiah and the son of God. Some people began calling him Jesus Christ. It is from this word that the words “Christian” and “Christianity” eventually developed.

Spread of Christianity (cont.) Jesus’s followers traveled throughout the Roman Empire telling about Jesus and his teachings. Two followers were very important in spreading Christianity. –St. Peter became the leader of Jesus’s followers after his death. He is considered the first Pope. –St. Paul traveled throughout the Mediterranean area. He wrote letters that became a part of the Christian Bible. Jesus’s followers traveled throughout the Roman Empire telling about Jesus and his teachings. Two followers were very important in spreading Christianity. –St. Peter became the leader of Jesus’s followers after his death. He is considered the first Pope. –St. Paul traveled throughout the Mediterranean area. He wrote letters that became a part of the Christian Bible.