Review Questions
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1. What is the Torah ?
2. What Kingdom did the Jews establish ?
3. What code of ethics do Jews & Christians
follow ?
4. How did Ancient Israel fall ?
#2 - AIM: What is Christianity?
6.3
Ancient Rome
Origins of Christianity 6.3
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Originally a sect of Judaism
Believe that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah
Messiah – savior chosen by God to restore the
Kingdom of Israel (occupied by the Roman
Empire)
Appeal – message of equality
Origins of Christianity (6.3)
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Birth of Jesus Christ led to rise of
Christianity
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believe the Virgin Mary told by Angel Gabriel she
would conceive a child - the Son of God.
Christians - Believe Jesus was the Messiah
There is a Holy Trinity – God the Father,
God the Son, (Jesus), God the Holy
Spirit.
Christmas Route
Life of Jesus Christ
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Born in Bethlehem, Raised in Nazareth
Age 30 begins preaching monotheism
used Parables (short stories with simple moral lesson)
– Does good works, reportedly performs miracles
– Water into wine, walked on water – greatest miracle raising
Lazarus from the dead.
– Stresses personal relationship with God, love for friends and
enemies
– Preached the existence of an eternal kingdom for sinner who
repent (Heaven)
– Appeal – ignores wealth & status… poor
And behold, a lawyer stood saying "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to
Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and
beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by
chance a priest was going down that road; and when he
saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a
Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by
on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
to where he was; and when he saw him, he had
compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast
and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the
next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the
innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more
you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of
these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who
fell among the robbers?"
He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus
said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Christ healing the blind man. Painting (16th century), El Greco.
Life of Jesus Christ
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Apostles – Jesus’ pupils or disciples
spread message of Jesus through Roman
Empire – there were12
Believed to have written some of the Gospels,
the 1st four books of the New Testament
Threat? To Who?
Becomes the “Christ”
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Christos - Greek word for “savior”
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Christianity - derived from “Christ”
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Christians celebrate Easter as the most important
religious holiday – “The Resurrection of Jesus
The Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, gave the crowd the choice to free a
notorious criminal, Barabbas, or Jesus. The crowd chose Barabbas. Pilate asked,
“then what am I to do with Jesus, the so-called Messiah?” The crowd shouted,
“Crucify Him!” Pilate washed his hands declaring, “I am innocent of the blood of
this just man, the responsibility is yours. The whole people said in reply, “Let his
blood be on us and on our children.” Matthew 27: 15-26
Growth of Christianity
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The original 12 were know as Apostles spread
Christianity
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The disciples or followers of Jesus spread the new
religion
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Catholics believe there have lived holy men and
women whose lives embody Christ’s teachings. These
people have performed miracles.
When they are canonized they are known as Saints
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Growth of Christianity
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A later disciple, Paul widely traveled. Preached
Jesus’ message during Pax Romana unprecedented time of peace in Rome
Paul’s Teachings
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Wrote influential letters, called Epistles, to
believers.
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Stressed Jesus was the Son of God
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Christianity should accept all converts which
helped to spread Christianity
Christian Persecution – After Pax
Romana
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Romans exile, imprison, or execute Christians
for refusing to worship Roman deities
Diaspora
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[66 AD] Band of Jews rebel against Roman
Empire
[70 AD] Romans destroy the temple complex half million Jews are killed in this rebellion
Diaspora: Jews are driven from homeland into
exile – Jewish state will not exist for 1800 yrs.
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From Greek word for “dispersal”
[313 AD] Edict of Milan
Constantine ended persecution of the
Christians.
 As Emperor of Rome, Constantine
declared Christianity to be approved by
state
 Later, Emperor Theodosius claimed in
380 AD Christianity the official religion of
the state
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Constantine and Red Crosses
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Saw a cross before a battle.
He had his soldiers paint red crosses on their
shields
The purpose of the Crosses was to recognize
Christianity as a legally recognized and
honored religion
Roman Emperor Constantine Has A Vision of a Fiery Cross
and Converts to Christianity Around 330 A.D
Review Questions
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. Followers of Christianity accept
____________ as the Messiah.
2. The Emperor who accepted Christianity was
called _______________.
3. The Law that made Christianity legal in the
Roman Empire was called __________.
4. Most holy religious holiday that represents
the resurrection of Jesus. _________________