1. The Rise of Christianity
Do not write on packet! Thank you!
The Rise of Christianity

2. Independent/Partner Activity
Read through the slides and answer the questions on your handout.
This is your notes over “The Rise of Christianity”. It is important that your answer the questions.
This is a grade!

3. Judaism in Roman Empire
Romans required that all citizens believe in Roman gods and acknowledge the Roman emperor as a god
Jews Refused to convert
Judea – Jewish territory
1. Where did the Jewish people live?

4. Origins of Christianity
Jesus would die at the hands of the Romans in 32 C.E.
His followers would be persecuted in the Roman Empire but eventually, the message of Christianity would spread.

5. Map Circle Judea on your map.
Where was Christianity most widespread in A.D. 325?
What was the extent (north to south, east to west) of Christianity’s spread by A.D. 500?

6. The Rise of Christianity
Around 63 B.C.E. the Romans conquered the area that is modern day Israel, then a Jewish settlement
The Jews were allowed to keep their traditions, but chaffed under Roman occupation
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth. Until the age of 30, he worked as a carpenter
In his late twenties, Jesus was Baptized by the prophet John the Baptist, and shortly after, began his ministry.
For the next three years, Jesus, along with his followers, called disciples, travelled throughout the Sinai Peninsula preaching the Jewish word.
Time line of Jesus Life.

7. Jesus’ message, which ignored the rich and praised the poor grew immensely popular leading to large crowds wherever he went. In his early teachings he emphasized; God’s personal relationship to each person; importance of people’s love for God, their neighbors, their enemies, and themselves; God would offer eternal life for those who repented their sins.

8. Growing Concern 5. What did Jesus emphasize in his early teachings?
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) were written by Jesus’ disciples who would later be referred to as Apostles along with the other 8 followers who did not write.
Roman leaders became concerned that Jesus would lead a revolt due to his popularity
In around 29 C.E. Jesus was arrested and put on trial by Roman governor Pontius Pilate and was condemned to death by crucifixion.
5. What did Jesus emphasize in his early teachings?
6.Why was Jesus arrested by Roman officials?

9. Death of Jesus
Roman governor Pontius Pilate accused Jesus of defying the authority of Rome and sentenced him to death by crucifixion
Three days after Jesus was buried, according to his disciples, his body disappeared from it’s tomb and a “living Jesus” began to appear to his followers
The apostles began to truly believe that Jesus was the son of God, and from that day forward, he became known as Christ (Roman for messiah”

10. Create a time line of Jesus’ life from birth to death.

11. Spread of Christianity
Jesus’ first followers were Jewish, although Christ’s teachings did not contradict Jewish law, his followers created a new religion based on his teachings (Christianity)
Although outlawed, and punished severely by the Roman government, Christianity slowly spread throughout the Roman Empire

12. Spread of Christianity

13. Paul
Paul never actually met Jesus, in fact, Paul was largely responsible for the persecution of Christians during his early years
He reportedly received a vision from Jesus and devoted the rest of his life to spreading Christianity
Paul, along with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire
Churches would write these men, asking how to set up and maintain Christian churches
Books such as Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians were letters from the apostles written to leaders of those parts of the empire giving encouragement, and providing instructions
8. How did the apostles help to spread Christianity through the Roman Empire?

14. Paul
Books such as Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians were letters from the apostles written to leaders of those parts of the empire giving encouragement, and providing instructions.
9. How did the name of these books originate? (Where did the name come from?

15. Jewish Rebellion
In C.E. 70, Jewish people attempted to free themselves from Roman rule
The Romans sieged Jerusalem killing nearly a half million Jews, and destroying the temple complex except for the western wall (the wailing wall)
This was the second Jewish temple destroyed. The first temple was built by Solomon, and destroyed by the Babylonians in the sixth century B.C.E.
The second temple was built by King Herod in the first century C.E.

16. Persecution of Christians
Christians refused to worship Roman Gods, (first commandment) and were seen as in opposition to Roman rule
As a result, Christians were imprisoned, or executed, by way of Crucifixion, being burned, or sent to the gladiator pits against wild animals

17. Constantine
In C.E. 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine was fighting for control of Rome
Constantine was losing the war, and reportedly prayed for divine help, he saw a cross in the sky and ordered his men to paint the symbol on their shields
Constantine won the battle and the war, crediting Christianity for his victory
in 313 C.E. Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, allowing Christianity to be practiced in Rome
in 380 C.E. Theodosius made it the empire’s official religion

18. Why was Constantine essential to the spread of Christianity?
What was the edict of Milan?

19. Structure of the Early Church
Every Roman city by the 4th century had a least one Christian church (many had several) These churches were led by a bishop. Peter was Rome’s first Bishop
Later, the Bishop of Rome would take on a new title, “Pope”
As the church continued to grow, issues over doctrine began to arise, in 325, Constantine had church leaders write the Nicene Creed which defined basic beliefs of the Christian Church
Later, in the 16th century, following the reforms of Martin Luther, the Council of Trent would officially adopt the books of the New Testament

20. Beginning of the Decline
As the Christian church began to grow stronger, Rome began to grow weak politically and economically
Issues over money and religion would eventually lead to the fracture of the Roman Empire into East and West, and give rise to the Byzantine Empire

21. 12. What are the major cities of the Byzantine Empire?

22. Complete these charts in your notes.