1. THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY

2. RAPID DIFFUSION Christianity arose in Roman-occupied Judea and spread throughout the Roman Empire Dark Blue: Spread until 325 AD. Light Blue: Spread until 600 AD

3. ROMANS CONQUER JUDEA Rome’s power spread to Judea by 63 B.C. and they take over by 6 A.D. Jewish kings ruled as representatives of Rome

4. JEWS DIVIDED 1.Zealots Wanted to rid their homeland from the Romans 2.Group that believed the Messiah was to appear and restore the kingdom of the Jews

5. THE LIFE OF JESUS According to the Gospels Born in Bethlehem 6-4 B.C. Jew & Roman subject Carpenter

6. JESUS’ MESSAGE Monotheism and Ten Commandments God’s relationship Love everyone

7. WHERE DID WE GET THIS INFORMATION? Little is found in historical records Main source The Gospels, first 4 books of the New Testament Written by one or more of Jesus’ apostles

8. LIFE OF JESUS Began preaching at 30 Taught, did good works, and performed miracles Ignored wealth and status Many believed he was the Messiah (son of God) Twelve disciples or apostles help spread his message Jesus healing the blind man

9. JESUS’ DEATH Jesus’ popularity concerned Roman and Jewish leaders Roman governor, Pontius Pilate arrests Jesus & sentences him to be crucified He challenges the authority of Rome “King of the Jews” Jesus rides into Jerusalem

10. AFTER HIS DEATH Body placed in tomb Three days later, he reappears to his followers and ascends into heaven Apostles convinced that he was the Messiah

11. THE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY Peter,the 1 st apostle, spread the teachings through Palestine & Syria 1 st Pope or father of Christian Church Cross became symbol for beliefs

12. PAUL’S MISSION Jew Hebrew name Saul Convert to Christianity after he has a vision of Christ Taught that Christianity welcomes all converts

13. EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1.Priest - local 2.Bishop - supervise local churches 3.Pope - “Father or head of Christian Church” Peter: Bishop of Rome = First Pope

14. CONSTANTINE ACCEPTS CHRISTIANITY Roman emperor battles for control of Rome in A.D. 312 Has vision of cross Places on soldiers’ shields Believes Christian God helped him win Formally baptized on his deathbed in 337

15. EDICT OF MILAN In A.D. Constantine issues edict that legalizes Christianity In A.D. 380 Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity religion of empire

16. DISPUTES ARISE OVER BELIEFS Heresy: beliefs that contradict basic teachings Church leaders met in Nicaea in Anatolia to set a single, official standard They wrote the Nicene Creed