1. The Rise of Christianity
Unit 1 Section 11
TYWL: How do religions influence political power and create cultural unity in European Regions?
I can: identify how all religions are similar. I can trace & give examples of how beliefs influence actions.

2. Question of the Day 5
Which geographic features determined the location of the early civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India?
1)oceans and coastlines
2) rivers and valleys
3) fertile soils and plains
4) rainy seasons and forests

3. Religious Diversity in the Early Empire
Conquered Judea, excused the monotheistic Jews from worshiping the Roman gods. A.D. 66 many Jews left.
Romans mistrusted Christians  refused to make sacrifices.
Romans persecuted the Christians.
Christians became martyrs.
Zealots refused to live under Roman control.

4. The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus(born 4 B.C.) in Bethlehem, descendent of King David of Israel.
Grew up in Nazareth
worshiped God & followed Jewish law.
recruited 12 of his disciples (apostles, means a person sent forth) to help with his mission.

5. Mercy & sympathy for the poor & helpless
Some of Jesus’ teachings were rooted in Judaism: (info. about Jesus comes from the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John)
Belief in one God
Ten Commandments
Mercy & sympathy for the poor & helpless
Obedience to the laws of Moses

6. Jesus also preached new beliefs:
Called Son of God
Salvation & eternal life through belief in him.
God’s love & taught need for justice, morality, & service to others.
Betrayed by one of his disciples & arrested by the Romans.
Tried & condemned to death by crucifixion.

7. Spread of Christianity
At first, the apostles and disciples preached only in Judea.
Disciples began to preach in Jewish communities throughout the Roman world.
Jews who accepted the beliefs of Jesus became the 1st Christians.

8. The Early Christian Church
Paul spread Christianity beyond the Jewish communities.
The unity of the Roman Empire helped Christianity to spread.
Persecution of Christians ended under the emperor Constantine A.D. 313.
Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
The Early Christian Church
Early Christian communities shared a common faith.