1. The Rise of Christianity
Who is pictured here?

2. A. Who was Jesus? Born in 4 BCE., birthday in March.
Descendent of King David (line of Jewish kings)
Born during Roman census, raised in Nazareth (modern-day Israel).
Little is known about Jesus’ childhood
Began preaching at age 30

3. Jesus as he truly looked…
If Jesus looked like most pictures you’ve seen, his appearance would have made him stick out like a sore thumb in his society.
Judas Iscariot had to point out Jesus to the Romans because they could not pick him out of a crowd of his followers.

4. B. Jesus’ Message
Jesus is the Messiah (blessed king sent to free the Jews)
His mission is the complete salvation that God promised to the people of Israel.
He is the sin-bearer
People are taught to look for inner peace by practicing humility, charity, forgiveness and love toward others
Jesus was put to death by Romans for “revolutionary” ideas. Followers said he rose from the dead 3 days later.

5. C. Jesus’ Death Crucified One apostle betrayed him – Judas Iscariot
According to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead & his tomb was empty

6. D. Spread of Christianity
Apostles spread Jesus’ message across Judea
Then began to preach and spread across the Roman world
a. Traveled on Roman roads
b. Used Roman religion to their advantage
c. Appealed to the poor
d. Paul was the main missionary
i. Traveled all across Rome
ii. Bible – Holy book of the Christians; Jewish Torah + Gospels about Jesus and his apostles

7. D. Spread of Christianity
3. Persecution (harassment to cause pain)
a. Roman tolerance of religion not extended to Christianity
Christians refused to make sacrifices to the emperor or honor Roman gods
They were beheaded, crucified, and tortured
b. Despite this, Christianity spread
4. Persecution ends in 313 CE
a. Edict of Milan passed by emperor Constantine (freedom of worship to all citizens)
b. 80 years later, emperor Theodosius made Christianity official religion