1. Chapter 13.2
The Early Church

2. SPI 6.68
6.68 Describe the origins and central features of Christianity. (C, G, H, P) · monotheism · the belief in Jesus as the Messiah and God’s Son · the concept of resurrection · the concept of salvation · belief in the Old and New Testaments · the lives, teachings and contributions of Jesus and Paul · the relationship of early Christians to officials of the Roman Empire

3. Christianity and the Empire
Many people in the Mediterranean world became Christians

4. Christianity Spreads
Factors that contributed to Christianity Spreading
1. well-constructed roads
allowed people to travel from on region to another
2. attractive message
Roman religion required people to honor emperor and the state
Christianity gave people hope that even if life was bad on Earth, there was a promise of a better lif
3. provided its followers with security
Christian communities took responsibility for the needs of others

6. Why Did Romans Mistreat Christians?
1. Felt Christians were a threat to empire
2. Romans worshipped emperor as a god
3. Christians only worshipped God
4. Christians did not support warfare as a
way to solve problems
5. Refused to serve in army

7. Why Did Romans Mistreat Christians?
Romans blames Christians for causing natural disasters
Nero said Christians started the fire that burned Rome
Christianity was outlawed
Christians became martyrs- someone who would rather die than give up their beliefs

8. Despite mistreatment, Christianity continued to grow

9. The Empire Accepts Christianity
Diocletian carried out last great persecution of Christianity
Constantine becomes a supporter of Christianity

10. Edict of Milan
Decree that allowed all religions to be practiced in the empire, including Christianity
Constantine and his mother, Helena built Christian Churches in Rome and Jerusalem

11. Theodosius
Emperor Theodosius banned Greek and Roman religions and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire

12. Organizing the Church
As the number of more Christians grew, the church had to become more organized

13. Church Doctrine
Bishops met in councils to define the teachings of the Church
Wanted to make sure that Christians practiced the same beliefs
Decisions they reached at these councils were accepted as doctrine-official church teachings
Ideas the bishops rejected were heresies-teachings that did not support the Christian faith

14. What Writings Shaped Christianity?
Church leaders preserved stories about Jesus and the writings of the apostles
Christians believe the four apostles of Jesus wrote Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

15. Gospel Each account of Jesus’ life was called a gospel- or “good news”
Christians combined the gospels with writings of other Christian leaders and Paul to create the New Testament

16. New Testament
New Testament was added to the Greek version of the Jewish sacred writings to form the Christian Bible

17. The Bishop of Rome Bishop of Rome claimed power over other bishops
People began to call the Bishop of Rome the pope
Latin churches became Roman Catholic Church
Greek-speaking Christians became the Eastern Orthodox Church