1. Christianity

2. Basic Overview of Christianity CHRISTIANITY started in Israel 1.Jesus Christ- believed to be the messiah (savior) promised by GOD in the Old Testament -born a Jew and Roman subject in Bethlehem (present- day Israel) -Freed believers from sin and offered resurrection in the afterlife (Resurrection: rise from the dead and enter Heaven) -Age 30, Jesus taught, did good works and performed miracles -Crucified (killed) by Jews and Romans at age 33 -Rose from the dead after 3 days

3. AD 30-AD 33: A JEW NAMED JESUS PREACHED A NEW MESSAGE TO HIS FELLOW JEWS AND WINNING OVER DISCIPLES (FOLLOWERS) DISCIPLES BELIEVED HE WAS THE MESSIAH AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE GOD (MONOTHEISTIC) ROMAN OFFICIALS WORRIED – ANYONE WHO AROUSED SUCH PUBLIC FEELING COULD ENDANGER ROMAN RULE AD 33: ROMAN GOVERNOR, PONTIUS PILATE, ARRESTED JESUS AS A POLITICAL REBEL AND ORDERED HIS CRUCIFIXION. Christianity

4. CHRISTIANS REFUSED TO HONOR THE EMPEROR AND REJECTED MILITARY SERVICE. ROMANS HAD CHRISTIANS KILLED, OR THREW THESE MARTYRS INTO STADIUMS TO BE KILLED BY WILD BEASTS IN FRONT OF CHEERING CROWDS. (WHAT WAS THAT STADIUM CALLED? HMM…) SO, MANY WERE FEARFUL OF BECOMING CHRISTIAN. ALSO CHRISTIANITY HAD TO COMPETE WITH POLYTHEISTIC RELIGIONS, MYSTERY RELIGIONS AND WITH JUDAISM. Persecution & Competition

5. Why did Jesus’ followers think he was the Messiah? AFTER JESUS’ DEATH, HIS BODY WAS PLACED IN A TOMB. AFTER 3 DAYS HE APPEARED TO HIS FOLLOWERS. THIS CONVINCED HIS FOLLOWERS THAT HE WAS THE MESSIAH. (CHRISTOS IS THE GREEK WORD FOR MESSIAH)… THAT’S WHERE THE WORD CHRISTIANITY COMES FROM.

6. Christianity Spreads ALL OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS SPREAD HIS IDEAS. HIS FIRST FOLLOWERS WERE JEWS, BUT LATER THOSE WHO ACCEPTED JESUS AND HIS TEACHINGS BECAME KNOWN AS CHRISTIANS. A NEW RELIGION IS BORN BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS AND CHURCHES WERE FORMED. SON OF GOD WRITINGS, TEACHING AND STORIES ABOUT JESUS = NEW TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE. BIBLE IS THEIR HOLY BOOK

7. A New World Religion THE WIDESPREAD APPEAL OF CHRISTIANITY: Embraced all people Gave hope to the powerless Appealed to those who were against the extravagances of Rome Personal relationship with God Promised eternal life after death. Also followed the 10 commandments as their guidelines.

8. Aim: How did people relate to Christ’s message? Do now: