1. Christianity Its Beginnings, its hardships, and its geographic spread

2. Messiah Hebrew word meaning “The Anointed One” –Belief that a new king would come and reunite the tribes of Israel –Judaism believes that when this king comes peace would reign

3. Jesus of Nazareth Accounts of his life come from the Gospels –Mark- 70 ce –John- 100 ce Born in Judea during time of Augustus of Rome –Teacher in the tradition of the prophets- Abraham and Moses –Sermon on the Mount Preached love, charity humility, and his divine mission –Considerable following among the poor –Criticism’s of temple at Jerusalem and upper class Gov. of Judea Pontius Pilot convinced of potential rebellion Jesus is Crucified 32 ce Jesus as the Messiah –Christians believed that Jesus was the king Judaism spoke of: New Testament –Jews do not and are still waiting: Old Testament –Thus the split: New Testament

4. The Life of Jesus Sermon on the Mount Persecution of Jesus by Pontius Pilot

5. Paul Born in Tarsus in Asia Minor –Trained in Hellenistic culture and was a Roman citizen –Member of the Pharisees Adherence to Jewish Law Took part in persecution of Christians –Converts outside of Damascus- 35 ce –James- conservative Christianity must fall into Jewish Law Forced conversion –Paul Christianity a new religion Jewish Law would push away converts- circumcision Evangelists- messengers to spread the gospel Salvation on Judgment Day would come to those who ask for it

6. The Life of Paul Paul ConversionPaul

7. Paul’s Travels: The Spread of Christianity Paul travels making his way all the way to Rome Along the way he spreads the word Later arrested for his hersey and dies in Rome around 65 CE –Many Christians attribute his death the Nero

8. Travels of Paul

9. Spread of Christianity Spread throughout Roman Empire Greatest success in the cities among the poor –Rites of Passage Baptism Agape- common meal Eucharist –Bread and wine –Fostered communities of warmth and sharing Contrasted with pagan religions Promise of salvation

10. Organization Early –Churches Small, usually in homes –Affairs placed in prebytersor (elders) and Deacons (those who serve) 2nc Century –City Bishops (0verseers) Elected Power grew outside of communities Apostolic Succession Met to discuss question, establish orthodox opinion, and expel heretics –Without strong organization Christianity would have probably splintered and not survived

11. Early Organization of the Christian Church Bishops Priests Deacons

12. Persecution of Christians Nero- 64 ce –Plans to raise Rome –Accidently sets fire to Rome Blames it on the Christians Randomly rounds up Christians –Sick, twisted death The Apologists- 2 nd Century –Tried to apologize for the way Christianity was introduced to Rome Libelli- Petition sent to Rome to explain Christianity No response

13. Decius- 249 ce –Rome is unstable Over extended Economic gap between wealthy and poor is huge Increased taxes Neglect of traditional gods- calls on sacrifices –Christians who refuse are jailed –Many Bishops leave Valerim- 253-60 ce –Outlaws congregations –Many Christians willingly go to death Gallenvus- 383 ce –Ends persecution

14. Diocletian- 284 ce –Reinstates persecution of Christians –Attempts to eradicate Christianity 302/3 ce Successful, but does not end it

15. “Feed Them to the Lions”

16. Formation of the Catholic Church Divisions within the faith pose larger threats than Roman’s –Intellectualized opinion vs. traditional beliefs Conservative, universal, or catholic The Catholic Church –Orthodox teachings vs. heretics –Orthodox canon Old Testament, Gospels, Epistles of Paul are the standard text –Provided clarity, unity, and dicipline *Add Pope to top of your pyramid

17. Constantine Mother was a Christian but was not Milvian Bridge Battle- 312 –Has a vision from God to paint the Christian labrum symbol on his shields –Army is victorious Gives Amnesty to all Christians –Returns all property confiscated by predecessors –Tax exemptions –Built a number of Churches Anti-Jewish policy –Makes it law Edict of Milan –Exposes himself to Christianity, toleration is complete

18. Milvian Bridge Battle

19. Divisions within chistianity Council of Nicea- 325 –300 church elites meet to end divisions –Bishop of Alexandria- Trinity –Arius- Challenges idea of Trinity Can’t be as pure, son subordinate to father Donatus of Carthage- Donatists –Bishops who sacrificed should be punished –Splits from church and creates problems –348 eliminated –Arius Constantine wants him executed, Catholics say no He is suppressed, deposed, and exiled Trinity holds

20. The Council of Nicea

21. Consolidation Theodosius- 379-98 ce –Outlaws all Pagan Religions Ambrose, Bishop of Milan- 340-91 ce –Troubled by Classical education and exposure –Deemed Heretic- lost for 600 years Jerome- 340-420 ce –Establishes monestary in Bethlahem Augustine-354-430 –Rise in the power of the Papacy

22. What Does All This Mean??? It means simply that Christianity was extremely new and small, but spread quickly Devotion through terror made it last Consolidation and creation of the Pope ensures its future Its impact on Geography will be ever expanding and lasting

23. Geographic Spread of Christianity