Christianity

Things you should know Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all connected Judaism is the oldest religion of the three, religious text is the Torah Christianity is the second oldest, religious text is the Bible (includes the Torah) Islam is the newest, religious text is the Q’uran (includes the Torah and parts of the Bible)

Jews in the Roman Empire Lived in their own territory, called Judea Lived in their own territory, called Judea Were allowed to worship their own god instead of the Roman gods Were allowed to worship their own god instead of the Roman gods Some Jews thought that Roman influence would hurt their religion, so they revolted against Roman leaders Some Jews thought that Roman influence would hurt their religion, so they revolted against Roman leaders The Romans responded by attacking and destroying the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem; Jews were then banned from living in Jerusalem The Romans responded by attacking and destroying the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem; Jews were then banned from living in Jerusalem

Who is Jesus?

Jesus through the eyes of history Jesus through the eyes of history –What we know for sure through official, undisputed documents Jesus according to the Bible Jesus according to the Bible –Descriptions about Jesus’ life and death according to accounts from biblical figures

Jesus’ History Jewish teacher, carpenter Traveled the Jewish countryside and taught people his beliefs Became one of the greatest influences on the Western world Roman officials feared that he would cause another Jewish revolt They put Jesus on trial and he was crucified for being an enemy of Rome

Jesus According to the Bible Information about Jesus’ life that is found in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) Information about Jesus’ life that is found in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) As Jesus traveled the countryside, he performed miracles and gained disciples (followers) As Jesus traveled the countryside, he performed miracles and gained disciples (followers) He claimed to be the Messiah, or savior, who would lead Jews to freedom He claimed to be the Messiah, or savior, who would lead Jews to freedom He rose from the dead after his crucifixion and remained on earth for 40 days He rose from the dead after his crucifixion and remained on earth for 40 days His followers believed that he died for the sins of all human beings His followers believed that he died for the sins of all human beings

Jesus and the Romans There were at least 4 people in the Roman Empire claiming to be the son of God Two of them were very militant and were beginning to form armies Jesus was not militant and was gaining the most followers The Romans feared him the most because he was uniting people so quickly

What exactly did Jesus teach that scared the Roman leaders? There is only one true God There is only one true God People must love God above all else People must love God above all else People must love others as the love themselves People must love others as the love themselves God cares more for people, especially those who are suffering, than he does for laws and rituals God cares more for people, especially those who are suffering, than he does for laws and rituals These teachings are for all people and they promised forgiveness and eternal life to those who accepted this faith These teachings are for all people and they promised forgiveness and eternal life to those who accepted this faith

The Spread of Christianity Jesus’ disciples began teaching others about how all people could achieve salvation Jesus chose 12 disciples, called the Apostles, who became the earliest Christian missionaries The Apostles traveled all over, spreading Jesus’ teachings among mostly Jewish communities Many missionaries believed the Jews would be the most receptive to Christian teachings

Paul One of Jesus’ Apostles, took a different approach to his missionary work One of Jesus’ Apostles, took a different approach to his missionary work He taught Christianity to Gentiles (non-Jews) and make id a much broader, far reaching religion He taught Christianity to Gentiles (non-Jews) and make id a much broader, far reaching religion He built churches throughout the Mediterranean and helped create new religious rules that helped distinguish Christianity from Judaism He built churches throughout the Mediterranean and helped create new religious rules that helped distinguish Christianity from Judaism

Christian Persecution Only about 10% of Romans were Christian, and many local officials were afraid Christians were conspiring against them Many early Christians were arrested and killed, but other Christians saw these people as martyrs, people who die for their faith and inspire others to believe

The Early Christian Church Early churches were closely-knit communities that supported their members Early churches were closely-knit communities that supported their members Performing ceremonies inspired members and helped them feel closer to Jesus Performing ceremonies inspired members and helped them feel closer to Jesus The church developed an administrative structure as it grew The church developed an administrative structure as it grew Bishops oversaw church affairs in cities Bishops oversaw church affairs in cities The pope led the entire Christian population and interpreted the Bible The pope led the entire Christian population and interpreted the Bible