The Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire

Origins of Christianity Roman power had spread as far as Judea, the home of the Jews in 63 BC. Roman power had spread as far as Judea, the home of the Jews in 63 BC. Jewish kingdoms remained independent and Jewish kings ruled as representatives of Rome. Jewish kingdoms remained independent and Jewish kings ruled as representatives of Rome. Some kings accepted the Romans plans to “Romanize” Jerusalem and split their loyalties between Rome and the Jewish people – Herod was one who did such. Some kings accepted the Romans plans to “Romanize” Jerusalem and split their loyalties between Rome and the Jewish people – Herod was one who did such.

Upon Herod’s death, the Jews revolted against Roman influence. Upon Herod’s death, the Jews revolted against Roman influence. 10 years later, Romans regained control and made the Jewish kingdom a province of Judea in 6 AD. 10 years later, Romans regained control and made the Jewish kingdom a province of Judea in 6 AD. All religious and local affairs were under the control of a Jewish court called the Sanhedrin. All religious and local affairs were under the control of a Jewish court called the Sanhedrin. Jews were divided into two groups: Jews were divided into two groups: Called Zealots and wanted to remove the Romans Called Zealots and wanted to remove the Romans Group that believe the Messiah (savior) was soon to appear and restore the kingdom of the Jews. Group that believe the Messiah (savior) was soon to appear and restore the kingdom of the Jews.

Early life of Jesus Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea around 6-4 BC. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea around 6-4 BC. Raised in Nazareth, he was both a Jew and Roman subject. Raised in Nazareth, he was both a Jew and Roman subject. Baptized by a prophet known as John the Baptist. Baptized by a prophet known as John the Baptist. As a young man, he took up the trade of carpentry. As a young man, he took up the trade of carpentry.

Jesus’ message At 30, Jesus began his public ministry. At 30, Jesus began his public ministry. Many of his teachings contained ideas from Jewish tradition, such as monotheism, and the principles of the 10 Commandments. Many of his teachings contained ideas from Jewish tradition, such as monotheism, and the principles of the 10 Commandments. Emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being and love of neighbor, enemy and self. Emphasized God’s personal relationship to each human being and love of neighbor, enemy and self. God would end wickedness and establish a kingdom after death for people who sincerely repented their sins. God would end wickedness and establish a kingdom after death for people who sincerely repented their sins.

The Gospels Jesus gathered 12 special disciples, pupils, to travel with and teach. Jesus gathered 12 special disciples, pupils, to travel with and teach. The main source of information about Jesus’ life and teachings are the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament of the Bible. The main source of information about Jesus’ life and teachings are the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament of the Bible. Some of the Gospels are thought to have been written by one or more of Jesus’ disciples, later to be called apostles. Some of the Gospels are thought to have been written by one or more of Jesus’ disciples, later to be called apostles.

Popularity grows As Jesus continued his ministry and preached from town to town, his fame grew. As Jesus continued his ministry and preached from town to town, his fame grew. He attracted large crowds, and many were touched by his message. He attracted large crowds, and many were touched by his message. Many believed he was the long awaited Messiah, the son of God. Many believed he was the long awaited Messiah, the son of God.

Jesus’ death As Jesus’ popularity grew, concern grew among both the Roman and Jewish leaders. As Jesus’ popularity grew, concern grew among both the Roman and Jewish leaders. The chief priest denied Jesus was the Messiah and said his teachings were blasphemy (contempt for God). The chief priest denied Jesus was the Messiah and said his teachings were blasphemy (contempt for God). Pontius Pilate thought he challenged the authority of Rome and arrested Jesus. Pontius Pilate thought he challenged the authority of Rome and arrested Jesus. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion – nailed to a large wooden cross to die. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion – nailed to a large wooden cross to die.

Jesus’ Resurrection and the birth of Christianity After his death, Jesus was laid in a tomb and according to the Gospels, 3 days later his body was gone. After his death, Jesus was laid in a tomb and according to the Gospels, 3 days later his body was gone. A living Jesus began appearing to his followers. A living Jesus began appearing to his followers. 40 days later, it was said he ascended into heaven – the apostles, more then ever, were convinced he was the Messiah. 40 days later, it was said he ascended into heaven – the apostles, more then ever, were convinced he was the Messiah. It was from this belief that Jesus came to be referred to as Jesus Christ, christos, Greek meaning “messiah” or “savior” It was from this belief that Jesus came to be referred to as Jesus Christ, christos, Greek meaning “messiah” or “savior”

Getting the word out Jesus’ followers were strengthened by their conviction that he triumphed over death. Jesus’ followers were strengthened by their conviction that he triumphed over death. Led by Peter, the first apostle, they spread the teachings of Jesus through Palestine and Syria. Led by Peter, the first apostle, they spread the teachings of Jesus through Palestine and Syria. The cross on which he was crucified became a symbol of their belief. The cross on which he was crucified became a symbol of their belief.

Paul’s Mission Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul, never knew Jesus and was at first, an enemy of Christianity. Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul, never knew Jesus and was at first, an enemy of Christianity. While travelling to Damascus in Syria, he reportedly had a vision of Christ and then began using his Roman name. While travelling to Damascus in Syria, he reportedly had a vision of Christ and then began using his Roman name. He spent the rest of his life spreading and interpreting Christ’s teachings. He spent the rest of his life spreading and interpreting Christ’s teachings.

Travelling with ease The Pax Romana made travel and the exchange of ideas fairly safe and provided the ideal conditions for Christianity to be spread. The Pax Romana made travel and the exchange of ideas fairly safe and provided the ideal conditions for Christianity to be spread. The Roman road system made land travel easy and common languages (Latin and Greek), allowed the message to be understood. The Roman road system made land travel easy and common languages (Latin and Greek), allowed the message to be understood.

Paul’s letters Paul wrote influential letters, called Epistles, to groups of believers. Paul wrote influential letters, called Epistles, to groups of believers. In them, he stressed that Jesus was the son of God who died for people’s sins. In them, he stressed that Jesus was the son of God who died for people’s sins. He also proclaimed that Christianity should welcome all converts, Jews or Gentiles (non-Jews). He also proclaimed that Christianity should welcome all converts, Jews or Gentiles (non-Jews).

Persecution of Christians Roman Christians who were not worshipping the Roman gods were seen as an opposition to Roman rule. Roman Christians who were not worshipping the Roman gods were seen as an opposition to Roman rule. Some Roman rulers used Christians as scapegoats for political and economic troubles – Nero blamed them for a disastrous fire in Rome in 64 AD. Some Roman rulers used Christians as scapegoats for political and economic troubles – Nero blamed them for a disastrous fire in Rome in 64 AD. Both the apostles Peter and Paul were put to death some time after 60 AD. Both the apostles Peter and Paul were put to death some time after 60 AD.

Martyrs for their beliefs As the Pax Romana ended, the Romans exiled, imprisoned, or executed Christians for refusing to worship Roman gods. As the Pax Romana ended, the Romans exiled, imprisoned, or executed Christians for refusing to worship Roman gods. Thousands were crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals in circus arenas. Thousands were crucified, burned, or killed by wild animals in circus arenas. Other Christians (and some non-Christians) regarded persecuted Christians as martyrs, people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or cause. Other Christians (and some non-Christians) regarded persecuted Christians as martyrs, people willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or cause.

Despite persecution By the late 3 rd century, there were 3 million Christians in the Roman Empire. By the late 3 rd century, there were 3 million Christians in the Roman Empire. Missionaries spread the faith throughout the empire and beyond. Missionaries spread the faith throughout the empire and beyond.