1. The Rise of Christianity
Chapter 13
The Rise of Christianity

2. Lesson 1: Early Christianity
Chapter 13
Lesson 1: Early Christianity
Bell Ringer
Turn to page Complete questions number 1, 2, and 3 of the Step Into the Place activity.

3. Guiding Question How did the Jews respond to Roman rule?
Judaism and Rome
Romans allowed Judaism to be practiced throughout the empire
Jews are kept under very strict rules and harsh punishment
Hoped God would send a savior to restore kingdom of Israel

4. Control by Romans 63 BC - Rome took over Judah
Allowed Jewish kings to rule
AD 4 – Augustus names it Judaea, province of Rome
Replaced Jewish king with Roman governor
Tightly controlled by Roman empire
Jews disagreed about how to deal with Romans
Some fled, some cooperated, some wanted to rebel

5. Jewish Revolts AD 66 - Zealots rebelled against Romans
Romans defeated them, destroyed their temple, killed thousands
AD 70 – 1,000 Jewish rebels control a fortress called Masada
Held off 15,000 Romans for two years
AD 73 – Romans overtake the fortress
Find only 7 survivors

6. Jewish Revolts (continued)
AD 132 – Jews organize another rebellion
Romans defeat them, force all Jews out of Jerusalem
They declare no Jew can return to the city
Jews establish communities elsewhere
Ad 700 – Jews have settled from central Asia to Spain
Would later spread throughout Europe and Americas
Kept their faith alive through practice and study

7. Guiding Question Why was the life/death of Jesus of Nazareth important to his followers?
A Jew named Jesus grew up in Nazareth, Galilee
AD 30 – traveled around preaching religious ideas
12 followers (disciples) followed him

8. What Was the Message of Jesus
Jesus preached that God would come to rule the world
Urged people to give up selfishness
He said that God created all people
To love God and each other, not just follow his rules
Preached using parables
Used events from everyday life to help them understand
Said God is loving and forgiving

9. How did Christianity Begin?
Stories of Jesus spread quickly
Many believed he was the savior, Most Jews disagreed
Romans feared his popularity and message, he was a threat
Jews were fed up with high taxes and strict rules
Romans were angry they resisted
AD 33 – Jesus travels to Jerusalem during Passover
Excited crowds welcomed him as their savior
Jesus and disciples celebrate with the Last Supper

10. Betrayal of Jesus
One of his closest friends betrayed him to the Roman governor
Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death
He was crucified and died
His followers mourned his death
Christians believe he was resurrected and appeared to his disciples
Mary Magdalene was the first to see him
This belief led to the birth of Christianity

11. Guiding Question How did early Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire?
Who were the Apostles?
Early leaders who spread Jesus’ message were called apostles
Began in Judaea and Galilee, traveled around the Mediterranean
Those who followed became known as Christians, called him Jesus Christ
Greek word Christos, “the anointed one”
Churches were formed for worship and teachings
Studied Hebrew Bible and early Christian Writings

12. Early Christian Leaders
Apostles were important to the spread of Christianity
Peter – helped set up a church in Rome (the Vatican)
Paul – well educated Roman citizen who tried to stop Christianity
Heard the voice of Jesus in Damascus, converted to Christianity
Travelled throughout Med. and set up many churches
What are Basic Christian Beliefs?
Christians believed in one God
Jesus was the Son of God
People gained salvation by accepting Christianity
Saved from sin, allowed to enter Heaven
Christian Trinity
Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
Pax Romana allowed Christianity to spread

13. Chapter 13 Lesson 2: The Early Church Bell Ringer Why were the apostles important to early Christianity?

14. Guiding Question How did Christianity change over time?
Christianity and the Empire
Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean
The Roman Empire contributed to its growth
Christianity Spreads
Roman controlled areas were peaceful
Roads allowed Christians to travel easier
Most people spoke the same languages (Latin or Greek)

15. Christianity Spreads (Continued)
Christianity provided comfort to people during difficult times
It gave the promise of a better life after death
Christians lived in communities where they cared for one another
Why Did Romans Mistreat Christians?
Some Romans were afraid of the growing Christian population
Romans expected people to worship the Emperor as a god
Christians criticized the Roman religion
Only God should be worshipped
Would not serve in the army
AD 64 – Nero blames Christians for starting a fire that destroyed most of Rome
Christianity was outlawed
Romans arrested/harmed Christians
Some became martyrs

16. The Empire Accepts Christianity
Early AD 300s – Diocletian tries to destroy the Christians
They had grown to strong and he failed
AD 312 – Constantine has a vision before a major battle
Sees a cross and the words “In this sign you will conquer”
Soldiers painted crosses on their shields and win the battle
Constantine becomes a supporter of Christianity
AD 313 – Edict of Milan
Allowed all religions in the empire
Gave money and built churches for the Christians
AD 392 – Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Empire

17. Guiding Question How did early Christians organize their church and explain their beliefs?
Organizing the Church
Christians began practicing different forms of Christianity after the time of the apostles
Christian leaders wrote down beliefs to ensure one form of Christianity
Church Leadership
The Roman Empire was used as the model for organizing the church
Ruled by a hierarchy
Clergy, Laity
Women could not serve as church officials

18. Church Leadership (Continued)
AD 300 – Individual churches were led by priests
Led services and activities
Bishops supervised dioceses, Bishops explained beliefs
Bishops in charge of large regions were called archbishops
Top 5 were in charge of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
Known as patriarchs
Bishops met to define teachings of the Church
Wanted Christians to practice the same beliefs
Accepted teachings were doctrine, not accepted were heresies

19. What Writings Shaped Christianity?
Leaders preserved stories about Jesus and the apostles
AD 300 – Popular accounts of Jesus’ teachings were the writings of four apostles
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
These were known as gospel
The gospels and writings of other leaders became the New Testament
Christian Bible is made up of both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament
The Bishop of Rome
The Bishop of Rome claimed power over the other bishops
AD 600 – people began calling him the pope
Latin churches as a group became known as the Roman Catholic Church
Greek speaking Christians rejected the pope’s power and created the Eastern Orthodox Church