Chapter 6 Section 3 Notes

509 B.C. 264 B.C. 218 B.C. 44 B.C. A.D. 284 A.D. 476 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 B.C. – A.D CHAPTER Time Line 500 B.C.A.D. 500 HOME Rome becomes a republic. In the Second Punic War, Hannibal invades Italy. Diocletian, who will divide the Roman Empire, becomes emperor. The First Punic War with Carthage begins. Conspirators kill Julius Caesar. Western Roman Empire falls with the ouster of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus.

Intro:

Why Christianity became a widespread religion

A. Embraced all people

B. Gave hope

C. Appealed to those that hated Rome

D. Offered a personal relationship with a LOVING God

E. Promised eternal life after death

I. Jews Come Under Roman Rule

A. Around 63 B.C. Domino Effect was reaching Judea

B. Rome Took control of Judea in 6 A.D.

C. Rome gives control of local church to Jewish court called Sanhedrin

D. Two factions of Jews

1. Zealots that hated Rome and wanted to rebel

2. Another group believing that the Messiah (Savior)(Appointed One) would soon restore the kingdom for the Jews

II. The Life and Teachings of Jesus

A. Jesus born in Bethlehem northern Judea

B. Raised in village of Nazareth and baptized by John the Baptist

C. At age 30 he began preaching

1. Monotheism

2. Ten Commandments

3. God’s personal relationship

4. Love God, neighbors, enemies

5. Eternal kingdom after death

D. Taught 12 men called Disciples called Apostles later when Paul is added

E. Main source of information about Jesus came from the Gospels

1. First four books of the New Testament

F. Danger to Rome

1. Attracted large crowds

G. Many believed him to be the Messiah

H. Jesus’ Death

1. Growing popularity concerned Roman legions

2. Growing popularity concerned Jewish religious leaders out of job

3. Charged with blasphemy

4. Herod religious leader of Judea

5. Pontius Pilate Roman Governor of Judea S TIBERIEVM.. [PO]NTIVS PILATVS [PRA]ECTVS IVDA[EA]E

6. Barabbas 1. Barab a s Barabbasberăb´es[Aram.,=son of the father], bandit held in jail at the time of Jesus' arrest. Pontius Pilate, who, according to the Gospels, annually released a prisoner at Passover, offered to release Jesus, but the people demanded his death and Barabbas' delivery....

7. Nailed to cross – crucifixion

8. According to Gospels 3 days later was not in sealed tomb and seen living by his followers

a. Jesus ascended into heaven

9. Became known as Jesus Christ

a. Christos Greek word for messiah or savior

III. Christianity Spreads through the Empire

A. Jesus first followers were only Jews

B. Paul

1. Saul was from Tarsus

2. Traveling from Damascus he met a blinding light

a. Saul, Saul why doest thou persecute me

b. Changed his life

3. Taught to Gentiles or non Jews believed religion was for everybody

4. Wrote several Epistles

a. Ephesians

b. Romans

c. Thessalonians

d. Galatians

e. Corinthians

5. Was beheaded by Nero in 64 A.D.

6. Advantages he had

a. Pax Romana

b. Road system

c. Common language

IV. Jewish Rebellion

A. In 66 Zealots rebelled against Rome

B. In 70 Rome destroyed The Temple and the west wall or the Whaling Wall is all that is left today

C. In 73 the Jewish fortress near Masada fell

D. In 132 the Jews were dispersed in the Diaspora

E. Nero burned Rome in 64 and blamed it on Jew, Christians, and Plebeians

1. Put to death

a. Crucified

b. Burned

c. Fed to the lions

F. Peter and Paul were put to death in 64

V. A World Religion

A. Religious structure

1. Monks and Nuns

2. Priest

3. Bishops- city

a. First Bishop was Peter all others trace their roots to him

4. Archbishops – several cities

5. Popes – Rome eventually

a. First Pope was Peter Caravaggio. The Crucifixion of St. Peter

B. Constantine accepts Christianity in 313

Constantine prays to God before a major battle at Milvian Bridge

2. Sees cross in sky and has Christian symbol painted on soldiers shields

3. In 313 Constantine issues the Edict of Milan which made Christianity the official religion of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)

Emperor Constantine I

4. Emperor Theodosius in 380 makes Christianity the official religion of the entire Roman Empire

Theodosius

C. Discord and Harmony

1. All people not accepting the basic teachings of the Church were charged with Heresy

2. In 325 Constantine has the religious leaders record the teachings in The Nicene Creed

3. Another father of the Church was Augustine who wrote The City of God