Chapter 4, Lesson 2 The Early Church It Matters Because: The Roman Empire’s system of roads, shared languages, and stability made it easier for Christianity to spread.

I. Christianity and the Roman Empire A.Christianity spread in the Roman Empire because: 1. Pax Romana and roads made travel throughout Empire relatively safe 2. Most people in Roman Empire spoke either Latin or Greek 3. Message of Christianity was message of hope, love, and acceptance 4. Communities of Christians cared for one another and provided for each others’ needs

B. Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire 1. Arrested, tortured, executed 2. Many Christians in the Empire were martyred (killed for their beliefs) 3. Emperor Nero outlawed Christianity C. Christians viewed as dangerous because: 1. refused to worship the Emperor 2. refused to participate in festivals for Roman gods 3. refused to serve in military because they opposed violence 4. people believed they were mystical and responsible for many natural disasters, including a fire that destroyed much of Rome in A.D. 64 I. Christianity and the Roman Empire

D. In spite of mistreatment, Christianity spread quickly 1. message of hope for all people 2. acceptance of all classes of people 3. supportive communities E. In early 300s, Diocletian attempts last great persecution of Christianity

A.In 312, Constantine accepted Christianity after a dream the night before going to battle 1. Had a vision of a cross and heard the words “In this sign you will conquer” 2. Constantine’s men painted the cross on their shields and won the battle 3. Constantine believed Christian God had awarded him victory 4. Constantine accepts Christianity II. Constantine and Christianity

B. In 313, Constantine issued Edict of Milan, allowing all religions, including Christianity, to practice in the Roman Empire C. Constantine used position as Emperor to promote Christianity 1. Gave government aid to Christians 2. Built Christian churches in Rome and Jerusalem D. In 392, Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Empire II. Constantine and Christianity

III. Organizing the Church A.Early church was spread out across the Empire 1. Each independent community began to practice Christianity differently 2. Early Christian leaders tried to make beliefs and traditions clear by writing them down 3. Doctrine - Accepted beliefs and traditions of the church B. Early church structure was a hierarchy, based on makeup of the Roman Empire 1. Hierarchy – organization with different levels of authority

IV. The Bishop of Rome A. Five Patriarchs were at top of the hierarchy 1. Title given to archbishops of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem 2. “Patriarch” literally means “great father” B. As church grew, Bishop of Rome claimed authority over other church leaders 1. Claimed authority through disciple Peter, who founded the church in Rome C. By 600, Bishop of Rome became known as the Pope 1. From Latin word meaning “Father” 2. Churches in Western Empire accepted Pope as head of the Church 3. Eastern Empire churches refused to recognize authority of Bishop of Rome

V. Roman Catholic vs. Eastern Orthodox A. Roman Catholic 1. Western Roman Empire 2. Latin-speaking 3. Accepted Pope as church authority B. Eastern Orthodox 1. Byzantine Empire 2. Greek-speaking 3. Rejected Pope as church authority 4. Also known as Greek Orthodox and Byzantine Church