1. Rise Of Christianity in rome
World History

2. Romans were predominantly polytheistic
I. Roman Religion
Romans were predominantly polytheistic
B. Although polytheism was the primary religion, free worship of other religions was tolerated ( JUST DON’T FLAUNT IT)

3. Christianity began as a sect of Judaism 1. Judaism = Jews
II. First Christians
Christianity began as a sect of Judaism
1. Judaism = Jews
2. Eventually gained enough followers to become its own religion
B. Jews vs. Rome
1. Jews believed in the coming of the messiah (He would free them from Romans persecution)

4. II. First Christians cont.
B. Jews vs. Rome cont. 2. Fueled by this belief, Jews rebelled against Rome in 66 A.D. and conquered Jerusalem (This was short lived) A.D. – Jews unsuccessfully rebel again. They are forced out of Jerusalem and into other areas of the Middle East

5. II. First Christians cont.
C. Jewish beliefs 1. Torah - Jewish religious law and learning 2. Talmud – Jewish holy book

6. III. Jesus
Jesus considered himself a messenger of God prior to the Jewish revolts. He gathered a following called his disciples.
Jews split over Jesus
1. Disciples believed HE was the messiah
2. Other Jews were not convinced the real messiah had arrived, this is were we begin to see Christianity split from Judaism

7. III. Jesus cont.
C. Romans crucify Jesus 1. Pontius Pilate – Roman governor who arrested and crucified Jesus 2. WHY? Jesus’ rising popularity was considered a threat to the Roman province in the Middle East. He was persecuted to prevent a rebellion and set an example