Christianity Basic Beliefs

Connection to Judaism Abrahamic Traditions Rome conquered Judea in 60s BC Jews paid tribute to Rome Roman appointed governors Connection to Judaism

Jesus Jewish man born 1st Century AD Born in Bethlehem in time of Herod the Great Lives in Nazareth until age 30 Begins ministry as wandering teacher Gains followers called disciples (or apostles) Perform miracles, taught in parables Jesus

Teachings of Jesus God is one true god Reform needed in Jewish teachings Preaches divine love, charity, humility Salvation can only be gained by faith Appeal to common man: all people are equal before God People begin to believe Jesus is promised Messiah & Son of God Teachings of Jesus

Rome & Jewish Pharisees are threatened by teachings Jesus in Jerusalem for Passover Arrested for blasphemy and teaching rebellion against Rome Condemned by Pontius Pilate (Roman governor) Executed by crucifixion Apostles claimed he rose from dead 3 days later and ascended into Heaven 40 days after that Called “Christ” which is Greek for “savior” Crucifixion of Jesus

Missionaries & Persecution Peter and Paul spread teachings throughout Roman Empire Spreads quickly Still considered a threat to Rome Persecuted by Roman Empire, forced underground Emperor Nero blames Christians for great fire in ‘64 AD Eventually, Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity and makes it legal in Rome (300s AD) Missionaries & Persecution

Church Structure

History of Church Roman Empire becomes home of Catholic Church 1054: The Great Schism causes an East-West Split, formation of the Eastern Orthodox Church 1520s: German Monk Martin Luther begins Protestant Reformation, new dominations break from Catholic Church History of Church

Scripture Old Testament: Jewish Bible New Testament: The Gospels tell the story of life of Jesus, Letters of Missionaries (mostly Paul) Apocrypha: Other Jewish Scriptures accepted by Catholic Church Scripture

Nicene Creed: Basic Beliefs "We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. “And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. “And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen." Nicene Creed: Basic Beliefs