1. Rise of Christianity in Rome

2. The Teachings of Jesus Jesus born in Bethlehem in Judea
He was both a Jew and Roman citizen
He was baptized by John the Baptist

3. Jesus’ Message
By age 30, he began preaching publicly and for 3 years he:
Preached
Taught
Did good works
Performed miracles
Contained many ideas of Judaism such as: Monotheism and the 10 Commandments
He emphasized God’s personal relationship with each human being.

5. Jesus’ Message
Stressed importance of love for God, neighbors, enemies and even their own selves.
He gathered 12 disciples or pupils
Main source of information about Jesus comes from the Gospels – the first 4 books of the New Testament of the Bible
Gospels written by one or more of the apostles (disciples).

6. Jesus’ Death
The people called him the Messiah which means king savior.
This worried the Roman and Jewish leaders, Pontius Pilate a Roman governor arrested Jesus.
Sentenced to be crucified or nailed to a cross.

7. Resurrection
According to Gospels he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven
One of the first apostles, Peter, spread the teachings of Jesus throughout Palestine and Syria

8. Apostles spread Christianity
Jesus had disciples, or followers
Apostles spread his teachings around the Mediterranean.
Pax Romana helped spread Christianity
Most important apostle was Paul, whose letters are the oldest (e.g. Corinthians)

9. New Testament
The apostles’ letters and writings became the New Testament of the Bible
Old Testament (Torah)
New Testament
Christian Bible

10. Jewish Rebellion
The Jews eventually rebelled against control of Romans
About half million Jews died trying to break free from Roman control.
This caused a Diaspora – when mass Jews were driven from their homeland in Jerusalem into exile.

11. John The Baptist
John The Baptist was beheaded by Herod. (Matthew 14:1-12) (see Herod The Great and The Herods)
Stephen
The account of Stephen is very well documented in the Bible (Acts chapters 6 and 7). He is generally regarded as the first Christian martyr.
It has been estimated that about 2,000 Christians, along with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), also suffered martyrdom during the great persecution that arose after Stephen (Acts 8:1).
James, the brother of John
James was "put to death with the sword" by King Herod (Acts 12:2)
Philip
Reportedly suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was severely flogged, imprisoned, and later crucified.
Matthew
The former tax collector, he was killed with a halberd (a pike fitted with an ax head) in Nadabah.
James
Stoned and clubbed to death in Jerusalem.
Matthias
He was stoned, then beheaded at Jerusalem.
Andrew, the brother of Peter
He was crucified on an X-shaped cross, two ends of which were in the ground. Hence the origin of the term, "St. Andrew's Cross".
Mark
Mark was reportedly torn to pieces by a mob in Alexandria after he told them that their god, a statue carved from stone, was worthless (see Images and Idols).
Peter
Peter was reportedly crucified, upside down, during the reign of Emperor Nero.
Paul
Beheaded, or torn to pieces by wild animals in the arena, during the time of Nero. See On The Road To Damascus, Paul In Athens, Paul In Rome, Paul's First Missionary Journey, Paul's Journey To Rome, Paul's Second Missionary Journey and Paul's Third Missionary Journey.
Jude
The brother of James, often called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa.
Bartholomew
Tortured and crucified in India.
Thomas
Thomas was reportedly killed with a spear in India.
Luke
Luke was the author of the Gospel which is called by his name, and also probably the Book Of Acts. One account states that he died of old age, while another says that he was hanged in an olive tree in Greece.
Simon the Zealot
He traveled widely, and is believed to have been crucified in what is today Britain.
John
John took care of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ (not the mother of God), after the Crucifixion (John 19:26-27). He went on to write the Book of Revelation while a prisoner on Patmos. He may be the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

12. Persecution of the Christians
Christians would not worship Roman Gods = viewed as opposition to Roman rule
Some Romans blamed bad economic conditions on Christians
When a disastrous fire occurred in Rome, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians and ordered them to be persecuted.
Thousands were exiled, imprisoned, crucified, burned or killed by animals in circus arenas

13. A World Religion
Christianity has become the world’s most prevalent religion:
1. Embraced all people
2. Offers hope to the powerless
3. Appealed to people who were uncomfortable with the extravagances of imperial Rome
4. Offered a personal relationship with a loving God
5. New beliefs
Son of God
Eternal life--promised life after death.

14. Jesus the Jew Link

15. Jewish Diaspora- scatter, disperse
In 66 AD, the Jews in Israel rebelled against Rome
To end the rebellion, Romans stormed Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and exiled the Jews who scattered around the Roman Empire

16. Persecution
The Romans were suspicious of the Christians because they didn’t worship Roman gods
Thousands were crucified, burned, or forced to fight in the Coliseum

17. Martyrs
Early Christians who died for their beliefs are called martyrs.
Other Christians saw them as an example of strong faith.

18. Christianity grows- Map page 171
Reasons for the popularity of Christianity
Embraced everyone
Gave hope
Promised an afterlife
Personal relationship with God

19. Emperor Constantine In 312 AD….. Finish the sentence
In 313, he issued the Edict of Milan which said Christians could worship in the Roman Empire
Constantine video: #2 2:30

20. The Holy Trinity Father (God) Holy Ghost Son (Jesus)
(after Resurrection)

21. Christianity grows- Map page 171
Reasons for the popularity of Christianity
Embraced everyone
Gave hope
Promised an afterlife
Personal relationship with God

22. The Church- Christians gave their religion a structure
First pope comes from the Apostle Peter (“The Rock”)
Bishops
Priests
“The people”

23. St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

24. The Spread of Christianity