1. Christianity: Class Notes 1/16/19

2. I. Basic Beliefs
Monotheistic: one God – all powerful and all- knowing (omnipotent).
Similar to the Jewish faith – Judaism.
ex: both believe in the Ten Commandments.
2. But Different in that Christians believe in three forms of the one God – Known as the Trinity.
The Trinity = God the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
Judaism does not believe in Jesus, still waiting for their messiah.
The Christian Day of worship is Sunday / The Jews = Saturday

3. Basic Beliefs (continued)
B. Jesus Christ: the founder of Christianity and believed by his followers to be the son of God and the Messiah or savior of all mankind.
Jesus Changed some basic beliefs from Judaism:
KEY Change: Anyone who believes in Jesus’s death and Resurrection may be saved and enjoy eternal life in heaven.
We are all god’s children, God loves us all equally.
The Golden Rule: Love your neighbor as yourself – treat others better than you would treat yourself. Work for the good of others.
Key Idea: Jesus’ Death by Crucifixion & his resurrection makes eternal life possible for all followers. (Jesus “opened the gates of heaven.”)

4. Basic Beliefs (Continued)
C. The Bible: Two main Parts
1. The Old Testament: Christians follow the Jewish traditions outlined in the Torah. Jesus was Jewish but stressed anyone can follow him – Jew or Gentile (non-Jew).
2. The New Testament: Jesus’s life & his apostles.
The Gospels – accounts of the life of Jesus Christ by 4 of his apostles – Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John.
Also contains prayers, short books, and letters written by early church leaders to their followers outlining Christian beliefs and behavior (like Peter and Paul).

5. II. Reasons for Christianity’s Success:
The Message – Eternal life for believers!
 Everyone equal in the eyes of God – Poor
or rich – doesn’t matter.
 All church members are “brothers” and
“sisters” in faith (God’s Children).
 Forgiveness of sins: If you repent (are truly
sorry for your bad deeds – your sins) you can be forgiven & still go to heaven & it is never too late to repent!

6. Why Successful continued
Economic and Moral conditions in the Roman Empire were corrupt.
 Economic: 95% poverty rate. 1/3 of the Empire’s population were slaves. No significant Middle Class – just rich and poor.
 Morality: How should we behave? What is right and wrong (ethics)– Rome was falling into moral decay – corruption was everywhere & People were searching for meaning in their lives.

7. Why Successful Continued:
Persecution by Rome in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Centuries A.D.: Christians were martyred – died for their beliefs.
A Martyr = a person who dies for their beliefs.
Examples of persecution:
Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for starting a fire in 64 A.D. that burned 1/3 of the City of Rome to the ground.
Diocletian 284 A.D.: started “the Great Persecution” – any Christian who proclaims their faith in public is put to death.

8. Why Successful Continued:
D. Conversion of Roman Emperors: 1. Constantine: made Christianity legal in 325 A.D. Legal = lawful – it’s ok for you to practice it. 2. Theodosius I: Made Christianity the official religion of the Empire in 380 A.D. The Official = it’s the favored religion – you must be Christian to get a government job / special treatment.

9. Why Successful Continued
E. Communication: Roman roads & the Pax Romana (the Roman Peace). 1. Ideas can travel quickly using Roman Roads. 2. During times of peace trade is easier. 3. Postal System: A letter sent from Egypt could make it to Spain in just one week (the New testament is full of letters from church leaders to Christian communities all around the Empire)!