1. Notebook Table of Contents Left Hand Side 25 Parables Right Hand Side Christianity2/29

2. Christianity HOW DID CHRISTIANITY ORIGINATE AND SPREAD?

3. Judea  After Alexander’s death, Judea, came under the control of the Seleucids.  The Maccabean revolt freed Judea from outside control with the Hasmonean dynasty ruling (140-63 BCE).  The Romans then conquered Judea and Herod became a client king of Rome  His three sons ruled after his death, but ultimately Herod sent a military governor to govern called a prefect.  Jews had different responses to Roman rule, but many longed for the Messiah — the anointed one—who would restore freedom to Judea.

4. Jesus  What we know of Jesus comes from the Gospels, accounts of Jesus’ life written by his followers called disciples  4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John  Gospel means ‘good news’  Written about 30-70 after Jesus’ death from an oral tradition  John the Baptist prepares the nation for a new exodus or deliverance  Jesus is described primarily as a teacher and healer.

5. Jesus in the Synagogue Again he entered the synagogue and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them in anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.  Mark 3:1-6

6.  Galilee  Healing is a sign of the kingdom of God,  The kingdom is where God’s will is done  The greatest commandment  The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Conflict with the leaders

7. Jesus’ Death  Jesus’ ministry culminates in Jerusalem, where he cleanses the temple—a sign of its corruption  The leaders fear Jesus is a threat to the nation, so have him tried as a threat to Rome—King of the Jews.  Jesus is executed by the Romans as all rebels were—crucifixion.

8. Paul  The disciples speak of Jesus’ resurrection —raised from the dead—a sign that God has vindicated Jesus.  Paul a persecutor of this community becomes a disciple.  Paul spreads the gospel of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles—non Jews—setting up new communities called churches.

9. Constantine  Persecution. Romans were content with other faiths as long as they were loyal to Caesar. Christians declared their loyalty to another king—the Messiah or Christ.  Tertullian--The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.  313 CE Constantine permits Christians to practice freely

10. The Nicene Creed  I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.  Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

11. Christian Worship  Scripture  Prayer  Sacraments  Baptism  Communion  Calendar  Sunday  Year  Advent  Christmas  Epiphany  Lent  Holy Week  Easter  Pentecost