1. Ch. 14 Birth of Christianity
6th Grade Social Studies

2. Origins of Christianity
Lesson 1
Origins of Christianity

3. Jewish Roots Judah (Judea) conquered by Romans 63 B.C.
Messiah – Jewish writings state an earthly ruler will be sent by God to rescue the Jews.
Believed will be descendent of King David

4. Life of Jesus
Lived by Jewish laws, BUT taught ideas and practices that seemed to put Him at odds with Jewish leaders
GOSPELS – four accounts written after Jesus’ death by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, four chapters of the New Testament.
Gospels say Jesus was born in Bethlehem
Raised in Nazareth by Mary & Joseph, a carpenter
Christians celebrate His birth on Christmas

5. Jesus’ Followers As a young man, Jesus traveled and taught
Gospels say He performed miracles, such as curing people
Disciples – 12 men who were Jesus’ closest followers:
Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, Simon, Thaddaeus, Judas Iscariot, James (son of Alphaeus)

6. The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus preached justice, compassion, coming of God’s kingdom
Delivered teachings in PARABLES – stories with morals
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount included Beatitudes (blessings)
Asked people to love and pray for enemies; to live simply (humbly)
Some Jewish leaders were angered by Jesus’ teachings
Upset that some followers claimed Jesus was the Messiah

7. Death of Jesus
The claim that Jesus was the Messiah was a threat to Roman rulers
Power (authority) of Roman rulers was questioned
Followers called Jesus “king” when he came to Jerusalem
During Passover, Jesus criticized running of Jerusalem Temple
Jewish leaders appointed by Rome arrested Jesus
Turned Him over to Romans for punishment

8. Story of Resurrection
Jesus was executed by Roman governor Pontius Pilate
Executed by crucifixion – hanging on a cross until suffocation
Buried in a tomb with stone blocking the entrance
Gospels say that the third day after death, followers went to the tomb
Tomb was empty; some followers say Jesus walked and talked with them

9. Resurrection of Jesus
Account of resurrection proved to followers that Jesus was divine
RESURRECTION – return to life
Followers believed Jesus gave life to create a new world
In the new world sin and death are defeated
Christians believe crucifixion was on Good Friday.

10. Lesson 2
The Early Christians

11. Jesus’ Disciples The Early Church
Jesus’ first disciples were Jews, who felt He fulfilled Messiah prophecies
Early church stressed sharing property, meals; practicing charity
All members were equal; appealed to women, slaves
Disciples wanted to spread Jesus’ message, convert others

12. Conflict Arises Jews divided world into Jews and GENTILES – non-Jews
Early church members disagreed whether or not to convert Gentiles
Some thought Gentile converts should observe the Torah
Roman leaders ignored Christians at first
They and Christians considered Christianity a sect of Judaism
Jewish leaders did not

13. The Conversion of Saul The Road to Damacus
Saul, who was born a Jew, became an early leader of the Christian church
In the beginning, Saul opposed the church. Later, he wrote how his faith changed
He was on a road to Damascus pursuing runaway converts (Christians)
He had a sudden conversion and came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.
(Blinded by light and God spoke to him)

14. Saul Becomes a Believer
Saul joined church in Damascus. He began to convert Gentiles
Saul was born in Tarsus in Asia Minor, a city with Greek influences
Cultural, political background helped him to convert nonbelievers
Had Roman citizenship, could travel freely, knew Jewish law
Used Roman name – PAUL – when traveling
became a MISSIONARY – person who spreads faith by converting others

15. Paul’s Journeys Spread Christianity The Journeys
Pax Romana and good roads aided Paul in his travels
Paul made four missionary journeys; each took several years

16. Changes to Christianity
Paul and others altered Christianity to make conversion easier
Paul felt Gentile conversion to Judaism was unnecessary
Christianity became separate from Judaism
Became more appealing to Gentiles, spread throughout the empire

17. The Letters Paul started many new churches and wrote letters to them
Letters explained Christian beliefs
Became part of the New Testament’s EPISTLES - letters
Paul wrote that Christianity removes barriers between people
Jew, Greek, slave, man, woman are “all one in Christ Jesus”

18. Paul’s Death
Paul was accused of bringing Gentiles into temple in Jerusalem
Taken into custody, imprisoned for 2 years
He demanded to be tried before Caesar in Rome
Arrived in Rome in A.D. 60 and was held under house arrest
Paul probably died in Rome, possibly after being persecuted by Nero
PERSECUTED – opposed or harassed

19. The Legacy of Paul
Most influential of early apostles, or messengers of Jesus
Journeys, letters helped spread the church to nations of the world

20. Lesson 3
Rome and Christianity

21. Rome’s Policy Toward Other Religions
A Christian Threat
Romans allowed other religions
Romans alarmed by Gentiles becoming Christian
Some Gentiles said they didn’t have to worship the emperor
Appeal of Christianity to women, slaves was troubling (Why?)
Christians talked of a Lord who would have a kingdom which threatened them

22. The Roman Persecutions
Nero blamed Christians for huge fire in Rome in A.D. 64
Many Christians were tortured and killed
Some Christians hid to escape persecution
Hid in catacombs – underground cemeteries with secret passages

23. Why did the Romans feel threatened by Christianity?
Minderbender
Why did the Romans feel threatened by Christianity?

24. The Conversion of Constantine
The Cross as Sign
Constantine became Roman emperor in A.D. 306
He allowed persecution of Christians
During battle for leadership in 312, Constantine prayed for help
Said he saw a cross in the sky and predicted victory
Had troops put crosses on shield and battle flags
Constantine was victorious

25. Legalization of Christianity
Constantine ended persecution of Christians
Edict of Milan made Christianity a legal religion in empire
Constantine built churches, made Sunday a holy day
Constantine not baptized – formally converted – unit end of his life

26. Christianity Changes Rome
Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion in 380
Closed pagan temples eleven years later

27. What did the Edict of Milan decree?
Mindbender
What did the Edict of Milan decree?

28. Beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church
The Structure of the Church
Priest, deacons obeyed BISHOPS – local church leaders
Roman Catholics believe the apostle Peter was Rome’s first bishop
Much later, Rome’s bishop became the POPE – the most important bishop
This began the Roman Catholic church; CATHOLIC means “universal”

29. Beliefs and Practices
Early writers, church fathers, developed CREED – statement of beliefs
TRINITY – union of Father, Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit in one God
North African church father, Augustine, felt God was everywhere
Church created SACRAMENTS – religious rites such as baptism, communion
Christian men formed monasteries; became bishops, priests, deacons
Christianity became powerful and wealthy religion