From early Christian prayer groups to the  Roman Catholic Church Centered in Rome and the Greek Orthodox Church Centered in Constantinople

I. Foundations of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth (4 BCE-c. 30 CE). Baptized by John the Baptist  Accounts by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in Gospels of the New Testament, compiled end of lst c. CE Paul, 33 CE converted to become a follower of  “Christos,” the Messiah.        At first converts only Jews.  Later  Paul converts Gentiles and allows them not to follow all of  Jewish law.  Wrote Epistles in the New Testament (Paul’s authorship of some letters questioned in liberal Protestant divinity schools today) Executed in Rome under Emperor Nero ca. 64 C.E. (Peter also executed under Emperor Nero) Prayer Meetings in synagogues, in homes, as well as in Roman catacombs (tombs)

II. Persecutions by Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Decius, Diocletian III. Christian Relations to the Past Use of Judaism. Acceptance of Old Testament as a prophecy of the New Testament. God of History performs ultimate Miracle. Use of Classical Philosophy. Classicizing Christians such as Justin Martyr and Augustine ( Latin Church Father), and Jerome (who translates Old and New Testament into Latin as the Vulgate)  and Clement of Alexandria (Greek Church Father). They show reasonableness of Christianity. They use classical ideas compatible with Christianity and discard what contradicts their versions of Christianity.

IV. New Central Ideas of Christians Original sin of Adam; Jesus died for all human sins; Jesus as path to Divine Grace for Salvation; Afterlife of Heaven (Salvation; Justification) or Hell Missions: Preach in the languages of the poor people. New rituals: baptism to wash away original sin; communion or Eucharist based on Jesus’ words at Last Supper. V. Greek Orthodox Church, Greek-speaking, Patriarch in Constantinople Differ from Western Church on Trinity—Eastern theologians insisted that the Spirit proceeded from the Father only, wherein the Western theologians insisted that the Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son (Council of Nicea)  Attempt at reconciliation, Council of Florence, 15th c.  Iconoclastic movement of 8th c. rejected icons (images) in divine worship  [Jews and Moslems followed commandment against making a graven images; some Protestants of 16th c. were iconoclasts destroying Catholic images of saints] 1054 Schism between Roman Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox Church Russian Orthodox Church separated from Greek Orthodox Church after Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453.

VI. Conversion of Christianity in the West to the Roman Imperial Capital Petrine Doctrine  “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”  1st c.  Key bishops of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem   Rome, only city  of the 4 where Latin the language   Churches allied in college of presbyters (elders) 3rd c.  Bishop of Rome called Pope, Father. Some recognition as the center Emp. Constantine Called Council of Nicea, 325      Emp. Theodosius Pope Gregory the Great 540-604  Triumph of Roman papacy as leader of Latin Christendom Defends Rome against invaders Collect church revenue Spiritual leader