1. The Rise of Christianity
Chapter 6 Unit 3
Notes

2. The Rise of Christianity
Main Idea
RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL SYSTEMS: Christianity rose in Rome occupied Judea and spread through the Empire
Why Now?
Christianity has over a billion followers
TERMS:
Jesus, Apostle, Paul, Diaspora, Constantine, bishop, Peter, and pope

3. The Rise of Christianity
Setting the Stage:
Roman gods were worshipped in an impersonal way and without emotion
Christianity developed out of a movement in Judaism, emphasized personal relationships with God and people
Attracted Romans

4. The Life and Teaching of Jesus
63 BC Judea under Roman control, maintained independence till AD 6 = province of the empire
Jews believed that a Messiah (savior) would arrive and restore the Kingdom of the Jews

5. The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth
Between 6-4 BC a Jew names Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea
Raised in Nazareth (N. of Palestine)
Baptized by John the Baptist and became a carpenter
30 began public ministry
3 years taught, did good deeds, and performed miracles
Monotheism
10 Commandments
Emphasized personal relationship with God
Love (for ALL, even enemies)
Reward of eternal kingdom after death for those who repent

6. The Life and Teachings of Jesus
A Growing Movement
Main source of information is from the Gospels
Apostles: Jesus’ disciples (pupils) wrote the Gospels
Message appealed to poor (Jesus ignored wealth and social status)

7. The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus’ Death
His popularity concerned Roman leaders
AD 29 he was greeted as a King (Messiah) in Jerusalem
Chief Jewish priests denied he was the Messiah and said his teachings were blasphemy
Roman Governor Pontius Pilate accused him of defying the authority of Rome
Arrested and crucified

8. The Life and Teachings of Jesus
Jesus’ Death con’t….
Placed body in tomb - according to Gospels his body was gone after 3 days and he started appearing to his followers
Then he ascended into heaven
Ascension made his followers believe he was the Messiah
Jesus Christ (Christos, Greek for “messiah” and “savior”) derives Christianity

9. Christianity Spreads Through the Empire
Followers continued to spread beliefs about Jesus
Teachings were based on Jewish traditions BUT soon began to create a new religion
Christianity spread slowly but steadily

10. Christianity Spreads Through the Empire
Paul’s Mission
Apostle, didn’t follow Jesus, but had a vision of Christ and then devoted his life to Christ’s teachings
Pax Romana allowed ideas to spread safely
Common language - Latin and Greek
Paul wrote Epistles (Letters) to believers
Stressed Jesus as son of God who died for our sins
Welcomed converts Jews or Gentiles (non-Jews)

11. Christianity Spreads Through the Empire
Jewish Rebellion
In 66 a group of Jews revolted against Rome
In 70 Rome stormed and destroyed the temple
All that is left is the western wall (today the holy shrine of the Jews)
1/2 million Jews were killed in the rebellion
132 tried again to break free from Rome
1/2 million died again
Religion survived but Jews were driven from homeland in what is known as the Diaspora.

12. Christianity Spreads Through the Empire
Persecution of the Christians
Christians refused to worship Roman Gods\
Rome saw as an opposition
Also used to scapegoat political and economic problems
Conclusion of the Pax Romana persecution intensified
Made martyrs (person who sacrifices life for beliefs) for Christianity

13. A World Religion Late 3rd c. million Christians in Roman Empire
Christianity grew because:
Embraced all people
Hope to powerless
Appealed to people who didn’t like extravagance of Rome
Personal relationship with God
Promised eternal life after death

14. A World Religion Constantine Accepts Christianity
312 emperor Constantine was fighting in a battle and he prayed for divine help
Saw a cross in the sky (symbol of Christianity)
Ordered his men to put crosses on their shields and they WON
Credited his success to the Christian God
313 ended the persecution of the Christians
Edict of Milan: declared Christianity to be one of the approved religions of the empire
380 Theodosius made it the official religion

15. A World Religion Early Christian Church
Hierarchy: organized in ranks in an order where the levels are subject to authority of levels above
Local level: priests
Bishops: supervise priests and local churches
Peter was the 1st bishop “rock” on which to build the church
Pope: father (head) of church, is the bishop of Rome = should be the leader of the entire church

16. A World Religion A Single Voice
As Christianity grew disagreements grew
New Testament: official standard beliefs
Added Hebrew bible, Christians call it the Old Testament
325 Constantine called a meeting in Nicaea, Anatolia = Nicene Creed or basic beliefs of the Church

17. A World Religion The Fathers of the Church
Augustine, bishop in Hippo, N. Africa
People needed the grace of God to be saved
Had to received Sacraments to belong to the Church and achieve grace (salvation)
The City of God written after the fall of Rome, fate of Rome not important because God’s city could never be destroyed
Meanwhile Rome was crumbling….

18. Christianity
belief that Jesus is Messiah
Acceptance of Gentiles and Jews alike
BOTH
Belief in one God
10 Commandments
Jewish
Belief that Jews are the chosen people
Adherence to Jewish laws

19. What is Judaism First religion to teach the existence of one god
The Torah (5 books of Hebrew Bible)
3 sects of Judaism: (split happened in 19th c. over intepretation of the Torah)
Reform: Tried to adapt to western world
Orthodox: Follow dietary (kosher) laws and follow Torah literally
Kosher Laws:
“beast of earth” that chew cub and have cloven hooves
Fish must have fins and scales
All fruits and vegetables are kosher (excluding grapes) unless there is a bug on it
Conservative: Tries to balance the Reform and the Orthodox Jews

20. What is Christianity? Belief that Jesus is the son of God
It is based on the life and teaching of Jesus
Largest world religion - 2 billion followers
Christianity can be broken into 3 groups:
Roman Catholic
Protestant (Lutheran, Episcopal, Mormon, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist)
Eastern Orthodox