1. Setting the Stage: Religion in Rome The worship of Roman ______ was impersonal, practiced without a great deal of _________. Priests used sacred ____________ to intercede on behalf of worshippers. The religion ______________, was born in _________ times as a movement (or sect) within ________, emphasized the personal relationship between _____ and people. It would attract many Romans seeking “___________” during __________ times in the Roman Empire’s latter 3 ______________. During those difficult ________, this new “________” would spread like ________________!

2. Setting the Stage: Jews Come Under Roman Rule Roman power spread to ______, the homeland of the _________, around _____ B.C. when Judea became a province of _________. The ruler _____, in Jesus’ day, for example, was a “Romanized” Jew. Jewish ___________ were allowed to rule as representatives of _________. Some Jews allied with the Romans and accepted their plans to “_____________” Jerusalem - Jerusalem was the Jewish ________ city. His loyalties were ________ between ________ and the Jewish ________, but he ruled with an iron hand and ___________ many Jews. There were many Jewish resistors fighting against ________ occupation – particularly violent and militant were the “__________.”

3. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S. Jewish ______________ against Roman occupation was strong and a constant nuisance to the Romans. The ___________ were a militant group of Jews who wished to ____ their homeland of Roman _______________. Many devout Jews believed that the __________, or Savior sent by _____, would be coming soon to ___________ them from this Western Empire that was defiling their ___________________. According to their Biblical tradition, God had promised such a Messiah would come to _______ the ___________ of the Jews. Setting the Stage: Jews Come Under Roman Rule “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means: God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14)

4. He was a _____. Became a rabbi, or _______________, at 30. During his 3 year ministry, he: Preached a message emphasizing a personal _________________ to God Did ______________ Purportedly performed _______________ Gained a large _____________ because his message appealed to the _________ and outcasts in Roman society Gathered around him 12 special ____________, or students. Many began to suspect he was the long-awaited “___________” (savior). His ideas contained __________ teachings – ___________, emphasized the __________________ and other ethical guidelines to living one’s life. Jesus sought to __________ the Judaism of his day - which he believed to be too legalistic - he never indicated a desire to ________________________________. 6 B.C. – 30 A.D. “Blessed are the poor, for they shall inherit the earth…” Jesus of Nazareth

5. Jesus’ growing popularity _____________ both Roman and Jewish leaders. They said his teachings were _____________, or contempt for ______. In a day when Roman Caesars were demanding “emperor-worship,” Jesus’ message appealed to ____________ in the cities to which he traveled and spoke. Those in power were _____________ the type of “discontented” crowds Jesus _______________ might be easily incited to mob behavior or _____________…leading to a brutal response from Rome. For this reason, it was believed he needed to be ________________.

6. Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate was the Roman __________ to whom ________ was brought and accused of _______________. Pontius Pilate, after questioning Jesus, decided that, indeed, Jesus was challenging the ____________ of Rome. Pilate sentenced Jesus to _____________ – a form of capital punishment in Roman times where an individual was nailed to a cross. After Jesus’ death his _____ was removed from the cross and placed in a _________. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

7. According to the Gospels, _____ days later his body was ________, and rumors spread that a _____________ Jesus was _____________ to his followers. Today, Christians believe he was “resurrected” – or, ______________________________. The apostles were more than ever convinced that __________ was the ______________. “______________” is the Greek word meaning “Messiah” or “savior.” So, they began to call him Jesus “_________” The name “______________________” was derived from this Greek title given to Jesus. The ______ on which Jesus had been crucified became a _________ of this new religious sect as well as the sign of the _________. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

8. REASONS FOR CHRISTIANITY’S WIDE APPEAL Embraced all _____________ (universal) – Men, women, and slaves, the poor, and nobles. Gave ___________ to the powerless. Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of ____________________________. Offered a personal _____________ with a ____________ God. Promised a ______ after _________ – a promise that gave much ___________ to those living under ____________ circumstances in Rome at the time PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

9. Jewish Rebellion In 66 A.D., a band of Zealots ___________ against Rome. In 70 A.D., the Romans stormed _________ and destroyed the __________ complex. All that remained was a western portion of the _____, which today is the holiest Jewish shrine. The Jewish fortress near Masada held out until 73 A.D. About a ____________ Jews were killed in the course of this rebellion. Most Jews were driven from their homeland into _________. This dispersal of the Jews is called the _______________.

10. Persecution of the Christians ___________ also posed a problem for Roman rulers because Christians __________ to worship Roman gods. This refusal was seen as opposition to Roman _________. In A.D. 64, for example, when the emperor ______ was blamed for a disastrous ______ in Rome, he said ______________ were responsible and ordered them to be persecuted. Both the apostles Peter and Paul were put to __________ in Rome some time after A.D. 60. Emperor Nero

11. Persecution of the Christians Thousands were ________, burned, or killed by wild animals in the circus _________. Other Christians and even some non-Christians regarded persecuted Christians as _________. –Martyrs were people willing to sacrifice their ___________ for the sake of a ________ or a _________. Despite persecution, Christianity became a powerful __________________. By the late third century A.D., there were millions of __________ in the Roman ____________.

13. CHURCH HIERARCHY Lay people (Laity) Pope Archbishop Bishops Priests

14. Constantine Accepts Christianity The Roman emperor _________________ was fighting three rivals for his title. On the day before a major battle Constantine ___________ for divine help. He reported that he then saw a _______ of light in the ____________ bearing the inscription: “In this sign, ___________” Constantine and his troops were ______________ in battle. In the next year, A.D. 313, Constantine announced an end to the ___________ of ______________. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.