1. The Early Christians & The New Faith
Romans followed a number of religions and also allowed a great deal of freedom to other religions.
Jews and Christians began to disagree on religious grounds, and Christianity slowly became a separate religion.
Jews and early Christians shared the same basic beliefs, but differed on the idea of the messiah.
At first, Christians concentrated on trying to convert other Jews.
After serious debate, the early Christians decided to preach Christianity to the Gentiles.

2. Christianity might have remained a purely Jewish sect had it not been for Saul of Tarsus

3. St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

4. Paul of Tarsus a Jewish Roman citizen
converted to Christianity and took the name Paul
made three long journeys throughout Asia Minor and along the coast of the Aegean to spread Christianity and establish Christian communities.

5. The Works of Paul
Paul's Roman citizenship, the good roads, and listeners open to new ideas helped Paul spread Christianity in the Greek-speaking world.
Emphasized that Christianity was not just a sect of Judaism

6. The Works of Paul
Taught that Jesus, by his death and resurrection, had fulfilled the prophecy of Judaism and initiated a new age.
Taught that Jesus was the son of God, the giver of a new law, and preached that Jesus’ teachings were open to all

7. The Works of Paul Made a significant break with Judaism
Seek converts
According to tradition, while in Rome, Paul preached and taught for two years before being executed.

8. Rome's Early Response
At first the Romans paid little attention to the Christians.
Some Romans were quite suspicious of Christians, and Nero blamed them for starting a major fire that destroyed much of Rome.
Although by A.D. 100 there was a law condemning admitted Christians to death, it was seldom enforced.

9. PERSECUTION Great persecutions of Christians began in 3rd century AD
Christian intolerance of pagan beliefs bred powerful retaliatory hatred of Christians
Accused Christians of cannibalism, atheism, and of being haters of mankind
Charged with being sneaky and with dishonoring the emperor
Also blamed with all the evils that afflicted the state

10. The Attack on Christianity
In A.D. 250 Emperor Decius ordered the execution of all Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods.
Up until A.D. 311, Christians suffered two more waves of persecution under two different emperors.
Roman mobs destroyed Christian churches and sacred books. Christians were fired from jobs, forced to leave the army, attacked, and killed.

11. REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
In the end, the persecutions did not succeed in eliminating Christianity
Too many Christians protected each other
Persecutions also created martyrs who inspired others
Came to an end with death of Galerius and then Constantine officially protected them
Constantine credited with being the first Christian emperor
Constantine

12. Constantine In Hoc Signo Vinces
Leading his army into battle when he saw a blazing cross in the sky.
Beneath were the words:
In Hoc Signo Vinces

13. “In this sign, conquer”

14. Constantine
Placed himself and his army under the protection of the Christian God
After his victory, he declared himself a Christian and supported Christianity throughout the empire.
Baptized on his deathbed in A.D. 337

15. Constantine and the growth of Christianity
issues the Edict of Milan allowing for religious toleration
made it legal for Christians to worship, gave money to the church, and became involved with church decision-making.
gave Christianity the support of the Roman authorities, but also combined religion and government.

16. VICTORY
Theodosius became emperor in 379 AD and proclaimed Christianity to be the official religion of the state
Christians immediately begin to persecute pagans
Destroyed temples or converted them into churches
Church firmed up its organization and settled disputes with powerful intellectual strength

17. How did the Roman Empire help spread Christianity?
During Pax Romana, missionaries traveled safely
Roman Roads helped to spread quickly
Constantine converted
Constantine built churches in Rome and Jerusalem
Religious freedom
Christianity becomes official religion of the Roman Empire

18. The Spread of Christianity by 600