The Rise of ChristianityThe Rise of ChristianityChapter #1 – Section #4Chapter #1 – Section #4

Key TermsKey Terms

Define:Define:JesusmessiahapostlePaultoleranceclergy

Judaism TurmoilJudaism Turmoil

Early in the Pax Romana, Judaism experienced a period Early in the Pax Romana, Judaism experienced a period of turmoil that created deep divisions in the religion.of turmoil that created deep divisions in the religion.

- Jews in Canaan absorbed Greek customs and - Jews in Canaan absorbed Greek customs and ideas during the Hellenistic age.ideas during the Hellenistic age.

- Conservative Jews rejected these influences - Conservative Jews rejected these influences and called for strict obedience to Jewish laws and called for strict obedience to Jewish laws and traditions.and traditions.

- Amidst the disorder of the Jews, - Amidst the disorder of the Jews, ChristianityChristianity and a man named and a man named JesusJesus arose among them. arose among them.

Jesus of NazarethJesus of Nazareth Information on the life of Jesus comes from Information on the life of Jesus comes from

the the GospelsGospels, the first four books of the , the first four books of the New New TestamentTestament of the Bible. of the Bible.

1. 1. MatthewMatthew2. 2. MarkMark3. 3. LukeLuke4. 4. JohnJohn

Gospel comes from the Old English word for Gospel comes from the Old English word for ““good newsgood news””

Early Life of JesusEarly Life of Jesus

Jesus was born about 4 B.C. in Bethlehem, not far from Jesus was born about 4 B.C. in Bethlehem, not far from Jerusalem.Jerusalem.

His parents, Mary and Joseph had traveled there from His parents, Mary and Joseph had traveled there from their home in Nazareth.their home in Nazareth.

Through his parents, Jesus was a descendant of King Through his parents, Jesus was a descendant of King David of Israel. David had lived in Bethlehem.David of Israel. David had lived in Bethlehem.

The MessiahThe Messiah

When Augustus Caesar of Rome called for a When Augustus Caesar of Rome called for a censuscensus, Jesus, Jesus’’ parents returned to their ancestral city to be counted.parents returned to their ancestral city to be counted.

An angel, the Gospels say, had told JesusAn angel, the Gospels say, had told Jesus’’ mother, Mary mother, Mary that she would give birth to that she would give birth to ““the Son of the Most High the Son of the Most High God.God.””

Adoration of the Shepherds,Adoration of the Shepherds,

Gerard Von Honthorst,Gerard Von Honthorst,

1717thth century century

Jesus would be the Jesus would be the messiahmessiah, the savior sent by God to lead , the savior sent by God to lead the Jews tothe Jews to freedom.freedom.

The MinistryThe Ministry

At the age of 30, Jesus began At the age of 30, Jesus began preachingpreaching in the in the provinces of Galilee and Judea.provinces of Galilee and Judea.

To help him on his mission, he chose twelve To help him on his mission, he chose twelve close followers known as the close followers known as the apostlesapostles, , ““a person a person sent forth.sent forth.””

PeterPeter was the leader among the apostles. was the leader among the apostles. Large crowds gathered to hear JesusLarge crowds gathered to hear Jesus ’’ teachings teachings

and see him perform miracles of healing.and see him perform miracles of healing. Jesus used Jesus used parablesparables, or short stories with simple , or short stories with simple

moral lessons, to communicate his ideas.moral lessons, to communicate his ideas. After three years, he and his disciples, or loyal After three years, he and his disciples, or loyal

followers, went to followers, went to JerusalemJerusalem to spread his to spread his message.message.

Sermon on the MountSermon on the MountRecorded by Matthew: JesusRecorded by Matthew: Jesus’’ ethical message of mercy ethical message of mercy

and sympathy for the poor and helpless.and sympathy for the poor and helpless.

The MessageThe Message

JesusJesus’’ teaching were firmly rooted in the Jewish teaching were firmly rooted in the Jewish tradition.tradition.

He called himself _________.He called himself _________. Jesus proclaimed that his mission was to bring Jesus proclaimed that his mission was to bring

________ and _________________.________ and _________________. Jesus emphasized GodJesus emphasized God’’s _____ and taught the need s _____ and taught the need

for _____, ______, and ____________.for _____, ______, and ____________. According to Jesus, a personAccording to Jesus, a person’’s major responsibilities s major responsibilities

were to were to ““ ___________ ___________”” and to and to ““_________________._________________.”” Jesus also emphasized the importance of _________.Jesus also emphasized the importance of _________.

Death on the CrossDeath on the Cross

According to the GospelsAccording to the Gospels

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem near the time of the Jesus arrives in Jerusalem near the time of the Jewish festival of Jewish festival of PassoverPassover, a celebration of the , a celebration of the exodus from Egypt.exodus from Egypt.

Thousands of Jews gathered in the cityThousands of Jews gathered in the city

Jesus attracts conflictsJesus attracts conflicts

Some welcomed Jesus as the messiah.Some welcomed Jesus as the messiah. Chief Jewish priests regarded Jesus as a dangerous Chief Jewish priests regarded Jesus as a dangerous

troublemaker.troublemaker.

John 18:19John 18:19 And so theAnd so the Chief priest questionedChief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples Jesus about his disciples And about his teaching.And about his teaching.

The Roman authorities saw Jesus as a threat because The Roman authorities saw Jesus as a threat because his speeches could inflame those eager to end Roman his speeches could inflame those eager to end Roman rule.rule.

BetrayalBetrayal The Gospels say that one of JesusThe Gospels say that one of Jesus’’ disciples betrayed disciples betrayed

him by leading a group of armed men to him.him by leading a group of armed men to him.

After his arrest, Jesus was crucified.After his arrest, Jesus was crucified.

CrucifixionCrucifixion CrucifixionCrucifixion, a Roman method of executing , a Roman method of executing

criminals, a person was nailed to or hung on a criminals, a person was nailed to or hung on a cross and left to die.cross and left to die.

Christianity SpreadsChristianity Spreads

Following JesusFollowing Jesus’’ death the apostles and other death the apostles and other disciples spread his teachings.disciples spread his teachings.

The disciples preached only among the Jews of The disciples preached only among the Jews of Judea.Judea.

Jews who accepted the teaching that Jesus was Jews who accepted the teaching that Jesus was the messiah became the first the messiah became the first ChristiansChristians, or , or followers of Jesus Christ.followers of Jesus Christ.

Christ comes from the Greek word, for Christ comes from the Greek word, for ““the the anointed one.anointed one.”” Another word for messiah. Another word for messiah.

Peter, the apostle established Christianity in Peter, the apostle established Christianity in the city of Rome.the city of Rome.

The Work of PaulThe Work of Paul

Assignment:Assignment:- Create a concept web of Paul and his - Create a concept web of Paul and his

contributions in spreading Christianity.contributions in spreading Christianity.

- Read pg. 35 to 36.- Read pg. 35 to 36.

- 5 points!- 5 points!

Paul is the second most prolific contributor Paul is the second most prolific contributor to the New Testamentto the New Testament

A New CovenantA New Covenant Christianity differed from Judaism because it Christianity differed from Judaism because it

focused on Jesus as the messiah. focused on Jesus as the messiah.

To Christians, the To Christians, the New TestamentNew Testament represents represents the establishment of a new the establishment of a new covenantcovenant with God with God and faith in Jesus.and faith in Jesus.

This new covenant replaced strict observance This new covenant replaced strict observance of the law as the way to fulfill the covenant.of the law as the way to fulfill the covenant.

PersecutionPersecution

Rome had a long history of Rome had a long history of tolerancetolerance, or , or acceptance, of varied religious traditions.acceptance, of varied religious traditions.

EXCEPT for Judaism and Christianity; because EXCEPT for Judaism and Christianity; because they did not make sacrifices for the emperor, they did not make sacrifices for the emperor, nor did they honor the gods, who Romans nor did they honor the gods, who Romans believed, had brought so much success to the believed, had brought so much success to the empire.empire.

Roman officials suspected them of disloyalty to Roman officials suspected them of disloyalty to Rome.Rome.

They began to persecute Christians.They began to persecute Christians.

PersecutionPersecutionof Saint Ignatiusof Saint Ignatius

Christian MartyrsChristian Martyrs Roman rulers like Nero used Christians as scapegoats, Roman rulers like Nero used Christians as scapegoats,

blaming them for social or economic ills.blaming them for social or economic ills.

Over the centuries, thousands of Christians became Over the centuries, thousands of Christians became martyrsmartyrs, people who suffer or die for their beliefs., people who suffer or die for their beliefs.

Both Peter and Paul were killed in Rome during the Both Peter and Paul were killed in Rome during the reign of Nero.reign of Nero.

ChristianityChristianity’’s Appeals AppealDespite attacks, Christianity spreadsDespite attacks, Christianity spreads

Reasons for Christianity spreading:Reasons for Christianity spreading:

1.1. Christian ethics generated broad interest.Christian ethics generated broad interest.

2.2. Jesus welcomed all people, especially the Jesus welcomed all people, especially the humble, poor, and oppressed.humble, poor, and oppressed.

3.3. Belief in equality and dignity brought support Belief in equality and dignity brought support from common people.from common people.

4.4. A better life after death.A better life after death.

5.5. Christian missionaries, like Paul added ideas Christian missionaries, like Paul added ideas from Plato, the Stoics, and other Greek from Plato, the Stoics, and other Greek thinkers to Jesusthinkers to Jesus’’ message. message.

TriumphTriumph

- Roman persecution of Christians finally - Roman persecution of Christians finally

ended in A.D., 313ended in A.D., 313

- Emperor Constantine issued the - Emperor Constantine issued the

Edict of MilanEdict of Milan

- - It granted freedom of worship to all It granted freedom of worship to all citizens citizens

of the Roman empire.of the Roman empire.

- Constantine- Constantine’’s mother, Helena was a s mother, Helena was a devout devout

Christian and influenced his decision.Christian and influenced his decision.

Church Gains PowerChurch Gains PowerGroup work pg. 37 –39 Group work pg. 37 –39

5 points5 points

CausesCauses EffectsEffects