Christianity The religion based on the life, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ Son of God~Messiah~Savior

Nearly all knowledge of Jesus comes from the Gospels—first four books of New Testament New Testament and books from the Torah make up today’s Christian Bible Jesus born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem Learned carpentry, studied writings of Jewish prophets Life

Church of the Nativity~ Bethlehem

Preaching Jesus preached a message of love and renewal Gathered group of disciples-followers Created excitement by performing miracles of healing; defending poor, oppressed Instructed people to repent of sins, seek God’s forgiveness Must love God above all, love others as much as self

Rome’s Reaction Jesus' popularity- crowds alarmed authorities who feared political uprisings Jesus arrested, tried, sentenced to death Ecce Homo “Behold the man" The Governor, Pontius Pilate. The Praetorium, Jerusalem, 30CE. Jesus is sentenced to death. By Antonio Ciseri ( )

According to New Testament, after crucifixion – Jesus rose from the dead – Appeared for 40 days – Ascended into heaven Followers believed Resurrection and Ascension revealed Jesus as the Messiah Death and Resurrection

The Spread of Christianity Jesus' 12 disciples –followers -worked to spread the message after his death Apostles-prominent Christian missionaries who went to other communities and spread the word of God with the goal to convert. Apostles traveled widely, teaching mostly in Jewish communities

Paul of Tarsus Was a contemporary of Jesus but never met him Originally known as Saul, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor (Present day Turkey) Actively opposed teaching that Jesus was the Messiah Paul had conversion on way to Damascus and became Christian If not for his work, Christianity might have remained a branch of Judaism

Converting the Gentiles Paul believed God sent him to convert non-Jews, or Gentiles Paul helped make Christianity broader religion, attracted many new followers Helped establish Christian churches throughout eastern Mediterranean Paul’s epistles, or letters, to those churches later became part of the New Testament

Roman Christianity Paul emphasized new doctrines that helped distinguish Christianity from Judaism Christianity spread; message of love, eternal life after death found appealing By 300 CE, some 10 percent of Roman people were Christian Beheaded by the Romans in about 64 CE

Persecution-Threat Christians were persecuted at the local level, but large-scale persecution was rare during first two centuries after Jesus' life Large-scale persecution by Romans grew as rulers saw Christianity as threat

Persecution-Results As Christianity spread through Roman world, some local officials feared Christians conspiring against them Roman authorities arrested and killed many Christians Those killed seen by Christians as martyrs- people who choose to die rather than deny a strongly held belief, especially a religious belief

Imperial Approval Spread of Christianity hastened by conversion of Emperor Constantine 313 CE, Constantine made Christianity legal within empire, Edict of Milan By late 300s, polytheism gradually disappeared from empire

Constantine Constantine made December 25th the birthday of Jesus/Christmas. Was the birthday of the pagan Sun god Observance of Sunday as the day of rest Instituted celebrating Easter and Lent based on pagan springtime celebrations

Papacy System of government in the Roman Catholic Church Vatican Pope is the head of the Church The Pope is known as the Bishop of Rome St. Peter was the first Pope. The Pope is Peter's successor and superior to all other bishops

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome What is a basilica? Roman Catholic Church or cathedral Must be designated as such by the pope himself

Peter the Apostle Many believed Peter founded Roman Church, was first bishop Later bishops of Rome, popes, were Peter’s spiritual heirs Gospel of Matthew: Jesus gives Peter keys to kingdom of heaven Therefore future popes inherit keys

Rituals During Eucharist, people eat bread, drink wine in memory of Jesus' death and resurrection With baptism, people are admitted to the faith

Cathedral A large, important church

Icons A holy picture, carving, or statue of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a saint Eastern Orthodox churches

Expansion of the Church By about 100, priests who were trained in ceremonies became prominent within Christianity. The authority of the priests was based on the authority Jesus gave the Apostles. This spiritual authority distinguished the priests from the general congregation of the church

Administrative Structure Church expanded, developed administrative structure Bishop oversaw church affairs, had authority over other priests 300s, heads of oldest congregations, patriarchs, had authority over other bishops

What was the main message of Jesus' teaching? Followers must love God above all else, and love others as they loved themselves.