1. CHRISTIANITY

2. Jesus of Nazareth “The Son of God”
Born in Bethlehem
Mary- mother
Joseph- “father”

3. Messiah
A great leader that ancient Jews believed would come and restore the greatness of Israel.

4. MISCONCEPTION ALERT
PEOPLE FORGET THAT JESUS WAS A JEW, AND THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WERE JEWISH
CHRISTIANITY DIDN’T OFFICIALLY EXIST UNTIL MANY YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF JESUS

5. Jesus vs the Romans
Jesus traveled and told stories that challenged Roman politics and religion.
Romans sentenced him to death by crucifixion.

6. Crucifixion
A type of execution in which a person was nailed to a cross

7. Resurrection
3 days after Jesus was crucified, he vanished from his tomb.
Spent 40 days instructing his disciples (followers) on how to spread his message.

8. Miracles Events that cannot be normally be performed by a human
Water into wine
Feeding many with very few loaves of bread and fish

9. Parables
Stories that teach a religious lesson.

10. Message Mostly based on Jewish traditions (10 Commandments)
“love God and love other people”
Message was to tell people how to get into the “Kingdom of God” (Heaven)

11. Bible Old Testament- Mostly the same as the Hebrew Bible
New Testament- Story of Jesus’ life and teachings
Gospels- 1st 4 books of the New Testament
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (Stories about Jesus told by each of those men)

12. Denominations
Groups that have mostly the same beliefs.

13. Spread of Christianity
Apostles=12 of Jesus’ disciples (followers)
Paul

14. Paul
Maybe the most important person in the spread of Christianity after Jesus’ death
Was Jewish
Disliked teachings of Christianity
Saw a light/ Heard a voice and everything changed
Spread the word through his travels and letters to the lands of the Roman Empire

15. Trinity God is made up of three persons God the Father Jesus the son
The Holy Spirit

16. Persecution
Romans arrested and killed people for teaching Christianity, much like the Jews
Some Roman emperors banned Christianity
Had to meet in secret
Bishops- local leaders
Head bishop of Rome= pope

17. Emperor Constantine
Another vision- cross in the sky while preparing for battle
Chose to convert and he won
Removed ban and Christianity spread again.