1. the rise of christianity

2. the beginnings of Christianity
To keep peace, the Romans allowed people in the provinces to practice their different religions, as long as the people continued to honor the gods of Rome and the “divine spirit” of the emperor.

3. jews and the roman empire
1. In Roman times, most Jews lived in Judaea, which became a Roman province in A.D. 6.
2. At first Jews were not required to honor the Roman gods.
3. In A.D. 66-A.D. 70 the Jews revolted against Rome
4. A.D. 66- A.D. 70 Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the second temple except for the western wall.

4. Western Wailing Wall.

5. jews and the roman empire
5. With the destruction of the Second Temple, the priests role was weakened.
6. Priests lose power to Rabbis
Rabbis – scholars who interpreted the scriptures and Jewish law.
7. Jews revolt again in A.D. 135 and were banned from Jerusalem by the Emperor Hadrian.

6. jews and the roman empire
8. Rise of Christianity founded by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
9. The teachings of Jesus begins around A.D. 27. He performed miracles, defended the poor, and gained many followers.

7. Jesus of nazareth Jesus preached message of renewal and warning
Gathered group of disciples
Created excitement by performing miracles of healing; defending poor, oppressed
Instructed people to repent of sins, seek God’s forgiveness
Must love God above all, love others as much as self

8. The TEachings of Jesus
10. The teachings of Jesus were grounded in Jewish traditions
11. The Jews believed that salvation was based on works.
12. Jesus taught that salvation was based on loving God above all else and loving others as you love yourself.
Matthew 6:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

9. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
13. God cares for all people, and Jesus’ teachings were for all people- forgiveness and eternal life for all that believe.
14. Teachings recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

10. THE DEATH OF JESUS

11. 15. Rose from the dead after his crucifixion, remained on Earth for 40 days then rose to heaven.
16. His followers believed that this made Jesus the Messiah- called him Jesus Christ- Christos- Greek for “the anointed one.”
17. The resurrection became the central event for the new religion of Christianity.
18. Through his death, all could be saved from final judgment.

13. the spread of christianity

14. Apostles Paul of Tarsus Conversion
After Jesus’s death, his disciples began teaching that all people could achieve salvation—the forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life.
Apostles
Paul of Tarsus
Conversion
1. Jesus’s 12 disciples worked to spread message
2. Earliest Christian missionaries
3. Apostles traveled widely, teaching mostly in Jewish communities
4. Paul, originally known as Saul, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor5. Had actively opposed those teaching that Jesus was the Messiah
6. Paul had conversion on way to Damascus, became Christian7. If not for his work, Christianity might have remained a branch of Judaism

15. Christianity spreads
8. Accepted by rich and poor alike during troubled times.
9. Hope and freedom from sin and death.
10. Roman government views the Christians as troublemakers.
11. Outlawed Christianity, seized their property, and executed many
12. Those put to death for their faith were called martyrs

16. Christianity spreads
13. Many become Christians by the A.D. 200’s because of violence and unrest in the empire.
14. Roman law accepts Christianity as a religion by the A.D. 300’s.

17. Romans adopt christianity

18. Converting the Gentiles
Paul believed God sent him to convert non-Jews, or Gentiles
Paul helped make Christianity broader religion, attracted many new followers
Helped establish Christian churches throughout eastern Mediterranean
Paul’s epistles, or letters, to those churches later became part of the New Testament
Roman ChristianityPaul found some Jewish customs hindered missionary work among non-Jews, dispensed with those requirements for ChristiansPaul emphasized new doctrines that helped distinguish Christianity from JudaismChristianity spread; message of love, eternal life after death found appealingBy AD 300, some 10 percent of Roman people were Christian

19. Romans adopt christianity
15. Emperor Constantine declared his support for Christianity in A.D. 312
16. His approval fastened the spread of Christianity
17. In A.D. 313, Constantine made Christianity legal within the empire, Edict of Milan
18. By late 300s, polytheism gradually deisappeared from empire

20. Romans adopt christianity
Emperor Theodosius makes it the official religion of the empire in A.D. 391.
20. Church well organized- headed by priests and bishops-who headed the church in each city.
Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem became centers of the church.

24. Romans adopt christianity
Patriarchs were the bishops of these cities.
Eventually the patriarch of Rome heads the church and takes the title of pope from the Latin word for father.
24. Bishops take their authority from the followers of Jesus-mainly Peter

25. Romans adopt christianity
25. Church councils also strengthened the church.
26. The Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 wrote down the main beliefs of the church including the idea of the Trinity- (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)