1. Rise and Spread of Christianity

2. MAIN IDEAS
Christianity built upon the Jewish belief in one God and the concept of a Messiah.
The disciples of Jesus came to believe that he was the Messiah.
According to the Gospels, Jesus was executed but rose from the dead. Christians believe that this makes freedom from sin and death possible for everyone.

3. Christianity emerged at a time of widespread unrest in the Roman province of Judaea (Palestine).
Christianity is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
Christ comes from the Greek word “christos” which means “messiah” or “anointed one”

4. Christianity’s Jewish Roots

5. Roman Judea

6. Looking for a Messiah
Christianity grew from Judaism and ideas of Jesus—a Jewish teacher
Romans conquered Jewish kingdom of Judah (Judea) in 63 B.C.
Jewish kings had to be approved by Rome
Many Jews sought freedom from foreign rulers
Sacred writings promised a Messiah who would free them
Some believed the ruler would be descended from King David

7. The Life of Jesus

8. Birth and Early Life
There are few written historical accounts of Christianity's early history. What we know comes from the writings of disciples (followers)
Writings are called Gospels (good news) Gospels—accounts of Jesus’ life by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Along with other writings, they make up New Testament

9. Gospels say Jesus was born in Bethlehem
raised in Nazareth by Mary and by Joseph, a carpenter
Christians later celebrated his birth on Christmas

10. The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus preached justice, compassion, coming of God’s kingdom
delivered teachings in parables—stories with morals
asked people to love and pray for enemies; to live simply, humbly
Some Jewish leaders angered by Jesus’ teachings
were upset that some followers claimed Jesus was the Messiah

11. The Death of Jesus

12. Arrest and Trial
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

13. The Story of the Resurrection
Jesus was executed by Roman governor Pontius Pilate
executed by crucifixion—hanging on cross until suffocated
buried in tomb with stone blocking entrance
Gospels say that the third day after death, followers went to tomb
tomb was empty; some followers say Jesus walked, talked with them
Account of resurrection proved to followers that Jesus was divine
Resurrection—return to life
Followers believed Jesus gave life to create new world
in new world sin and death are defeated
Christians believe crucifixion was on Good Friday
Resurrection was on Easter Sunday

14. The Resurrection
The apostles belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus was the foundation of a church to promote his teachings.
The message of the apostle Peter’s first sermon was that Jesus had died and risen to be with Yahweh and that baptism marked the adherence of those who accepted his resurrection.

15. What event made Jesus’ followers believe their leader was divine?
REVIEW QUESTION
What event made Jesus’ followers believe their leader was divine?

16. 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.

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

18. St. Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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

28. “In this sign, conquer”

29. 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

30. 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.

31. 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

32. 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

33. The Spread of Christianity by 600