1. The Rise of Christianity
World History I
Heritage High School
Mr. Irwin

2. Essential Questions How did Christianity build on Jewish beliefs?
Who was Jesus and what did he do?
What did Jesus’ disciples do after his death?
What was Rome’s attitude towards Christianity in its early stages and how did it change?

3. Christianity’s Jewish Roots
Rome had conquered the Jewish kingdom of Judea in 63 B.C.E.
Where is Judea?
Many Jews hated being under Roman rule and sought out ways to secure freedom from foreign rulers
Sacred Jewish writings promised a Messiah who come and free them

4. Life of Jesus
Gospels – accounts of Jesus’ life written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
1st four books of the New Testament
Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth
Father, Joseph, was a carpenter
Not much known about life before preaching
Celebrate birthday as Christmas

5. Teachings of Jesus
Preached justice, compassion, coming of God’s kingdom
Delivered teachings using parables: stories with morals
Sermon on the Mount became most famous
Asked people to love and pray for enemies
To live simply and humbly
“Love thy neighbor”
Had 12 disciples as his followers
Some Jewish leaders angered by his teachings
Also upset that some called him the Messiah

6. Review Questions: What did some Jews believe the Messiah would do?
What form did Jesus’ teachings often take?

7. Jesus – A Threat to Rome?
Claim that Jesus was Messiah was direct threat to Roman rule
Power and authority of Roman rulers came into question
During Passover, Jesus had criticized the running of a temple
Jewish leaders appointed by Rome arrested Jesus and turned him over to the Romans for punishment

8. Death of Jesus Brought to trial before Pontius Pilate
Called for execution by crucifixion: hanging on a cross until suffocated
Buried in tomb, but on the third day some followers claim that he had risen from the dead
Resurrection: return to life
Account of this proved to followers that he was divine
Followers believed Jesus gave his life to create new world
In this new world, sin and death are defeated

9. The Early Christians First disciples were Jews, also known as apostles
Wanted to spread Jesus’ message and convert others
Early church stressed sharing property, meals, and practicing charity
All members were equal including women
This greatly appealed to women, slaves, and the poor
Romans leaders ignored Christians at first

10. Spread of Christianity
Christianity becomes separate from Judaism and starts to attract many Gentiles (non-Jews)
One of the first missionary (a person who spreads faith by converting others) was Paul
Had Roman citizenship
Pax Romana and the Roman roads aided in his travels

12. Paul’s Influence Started many new churches
Wrote letters to the churches explaining Christian beliefs
These letters became part of New Testament as Epistles
Wrote that Christianity removed barriers between people
Jews, Greeks, slaves, man, woman are “all one in Christ Jesus”
Eventually persecuted (opposed or harassed) by Roman emperor Nero and died in Rome

13. A Christian Threat to Rome?
Romans did allow other religions in empire
But became alarmed at rate of Gentiles becoming Christians
Some said didn’t have to worship emperor
Appeal of women, slaves, and the poor also alarming
Thought God’s kingdom implied an end of the Roman Empire
Started persecuting Christians
Some hid in catacombs (underground cemeteries with secret passages)
Many Christians died at hands of Romans

14. Constantine Constantine became emperor in 306 C.E.
At first allowed persecutions of Christians
During battle for leadership in 312 C.E., Constantine prayed for help
Said he saw cross in sky and prediction of win
Had soldiers put crosses on shields and battle flags
Constantine won the battle that day

15. Legalization and Adoption of Christianity
Constantine ended persecutions
Edict of Milan (312 C.E.) made Christianity a legal religion within the Roman Empire
Constantine had churches built, and made Sunday a holy day
Didn’t formally convert to Christianity until he was on his death bed
Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of Roman Empire in 380

16. Structure of the Church
Priests and deacons run local parishes
Obeyed bishops: local church leaders
Christian church was all Roman Catholic until the 1500s
Much later, Rome’s bishop becomes pope: the most important bishop
Created sacraments – religious rites like baptism and communion

17. Power of the Church Christianity becomes very wealthy and powerful
The Church became the source of moral authority
Loyalty to the Church became more important than loyalty to empire
Aides in the decline of the Roman Empire

18. Essential Questions: Take a few moments and answer these questions.
How did Christianity build on Jewish beliefs?
Who was Jesus and what did he do?
What did Jesus’ disciples do after his death?
What was Rome’s attitude towards Christianity in its early stages and how did it change?