1. The First Christians
Chapter 10, Section 1, page 342

2. Objectives After this lesson, students will be able to:
discuss how Jesus of Nazareth won followers by preaching of God’s love and forgiveness, but was eventually crucified.
explain Christianity, based on Jesus’ teachings, and how it became a separate religion from Judaism.

3. Roman Rule – page 343
The Romans took over the territory of Judah in 63 B.C.
Augustus made the area into a Roman province named Judaea in A.D. 6.
not an entirely happy place → rebellion A.D. 66
Another rebellion in A.D. 132 led to Jews being banned from Jerusalem (Jewish Diaspora).

4. The Life of Jesus – page 344 Jewish hopes for a messiah (deliverer)
Jesus of Nazareth
preacher/teacher who travelled throughout Judaea and Galilee
disciples – twelve close followers of Jesus
Photo: Jesus teaching in the Temple. Available from:

5. What Did Jesus Teach? – page 344
urged people to turn away from sins
stressed relationship with God
Sermon on the Mount
love and forgiveness
love your neighbor
parables – a story that uses everyday life events to express spiritual ideas
Photo: The Good Samaritan. Available from:

6. What is the Crucifixion? – page 347
Jesus’ teachings made some people uncomfortable.
c. A.D. 33 – Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover
arrested for treason
crucifixion – Rome’s punishment of political rebels and lower class criminals
According to Christian tradition, Jesus’ resurrection (to rise from the dead) followed his death.
Photo: Crucifixion of Christ. Available from:

7. The First Christians – page 348
spread of the message following Jesus’ death
Christ comes from Christos, Greek for “messiah”
Early Christians met in homes to worship.

8. Who Were Peter and Paul? – page 348
apostle – an early Christian leader who helped set up churches
early founders of Christian churches:
Peter
one of the twelve disciples
went to Rome following Jesus’ death and helped to set up a church there
Paul of Tarsus
conversion on the road to Damascus
spread the message of Jesus
epistles
probably killed when Nero ordered the persecution of the Christians

9. What Do Christians Believe? – page 350
that Jesus is the Son of God.
that if people accept Jesus and his teachings they will gain salvation (to be saved from sin and allowed to enter heaven).
in the Holy Trinity (one God in three beings: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).

11. The Christian Church
Chapter 10, Section 2, page 351

12. Objectives After this lesson, students will be able to:
explain how Christianity won many followers and eventually became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
discuss how early Christians set up a church organization and explained their beliefs.

13. A Growing Faith – page 352
spread of Christian faith

14. A Growing Faith – page 352
spread of Christian faith

15. A Growing Faith – page 352 Why was Christianity successful?
positive message of hope, love and salvation
old religions focused on the state
ideas were familiar
inclusive religion – all are welcome
Roman persecutions

16. How did the Romans Treat Christians? page 353
Roman officials saw the Christians as a threat to the security of the empire.
refusal to worship Roman gods (emperor’s cult)
refusal to serve in the military
persecution of Christians results in martyrs – people willing to die for their beliefs
backfired on the persecutors
Photo: Christians being martyred. Available from:

17. Rome Adopts Christianity – page 354
Diocletian – last great persecution of the Christians
Constantine
Battle of Milvian Bridge
ended persecutions of Christians
Photo: The Chi Rho symbol. Available from:

18. Rome Adopts Christianity – page 354
Edict of Milan (A.D. 313) – issued by Constantine, this order gave religious freedom to all people and legalizing Christianity
Theodosius, Constantine’s successor, made Christianity Rome’s official religion.

19. The Early Church – page 355
Patriarchs
Archbishops
Bishops
Priests
Laity
Early Christians organized the church as a hierarchy (an organization with different levels of authority).
clergy – leaders of the church
laity – regular church members
doctrine – official church teaching

20. What is the New Testament? – page 355
The Gospels (means “good news”), which record the life and teachings of Jesus, together form part of the New Testament of the Bible.
Augustine – Church Father who wrote The City of God and Confessions
Photo: Painted covers from the Freer Gospels. Available from:

21. Who is the Pope? – page 356
By A.D. 600, the bishop of Rome had gained a special title – pope.
claimed the authority of Peter
diocese was in Rome
head of the Roman Catholic Church
Photo: Pope Urban II. Available from:

22. Chapter 10, Section 2 Questions
Why was Christianity so successful?
How was the Roman persecution of the Christians counterproductive?
What is a martyr?
Explain the importance of the Edict of Milan.
How was the leadership of the early Christian church organized?
The _____ include a record of the life and teachings of Jesus, and are a part of the New Testament.

23. The Spread of Christianity
Chapter 10, Section 3, page 358

24. The Byzantine Church – page 359
The church and government worked closely together in the Byzantine Empire.
In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor controlled the Church as well as the government. (caesaropapism)
emperor chose the patriarch
emperor crowned in a religious ceremony

25. Religious Arguments – page 359
relationship between Jesus and God
c. A.D. 700 – arguments over icons – images of Jesus, Mary, or saints honored by some Christians
idol worship?
A.D. 726 – Emperor Leo III ordered removal → iconoclasts – image breakers
Photo: Icon showing the archangel Gabriel. Available from:

26. Conflicts Between Churches – page 360
pope’s claims of authority
failure to cooperate
differences in politics and culture
pope and the patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated (excommunicate – to declare that a person or group no longer belongs to the church)

27. Conflicts Between Churches – page 360
A.D –church split (schism) into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church (form of Christianity based on Greek heritage practiced in the Byzantine Empire)
Photo: Map of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Available from:

28. What Are Monasteries? – page 362
monastery – a religious community of monks
men = monks
women = nuns
tried to live simple lives centered on Christian ideals
preservation of Greek and Latin writings
community services
served as missionaries
Photo: The Abbey of Monte Cassino. Available from:

29. What Are Monasteries? – page 362
Basil – developed the Basilian Rule, model for Eastern Orthodox religious life
Benedict – developed the Benedictine Rule, became religious model in the West
Cyril and Methodius – Byzantine missionary brothers who carried the Christian message to the Slavic people.
Patrick – brought Christianity to Ireland
Photo: St. Benedict. Available from: