1. Christianity
Basic Beliefs

3. Connection to Judaism Abrahamic Traditions
Rome conquered Judea in 60s BC
Jews paid tribute to Rome
Roman appointed governors
Connection to Judaism

4. Jesus Jewish man born 1st Century AD
Born in Bethlehem in time of Herod the Great
Lives in Nazareth until age 30
Begins ministry as wandering teacher
Gains followers called disciples (or apostles)
Perform miracles, taught in parables
Jesus

5. Teachings of Jesus God is one true god
Reform needed in Jewish teachings
Preaches divine love, charity, humility
Salvation can only be gained by faith
Appeal to common man: all people are equal before God
People begin to believe Jesus is promised Messiah & Son of God
Teachings of Jesus

6. Rome & Jewish Pharisees are threatened by teachings
Jesus in Jerusalem for Passover
Arrested for blasphemy and teaching rebellion against Rome
Condemned by Pontius Pilate (Roman governor)
Executed by crucifixion
Apostles claimed he rose from dead 3 days later and ascended into Heaven 40 days after that
Called “Christ” which is Greek for “savior”
Crucifixion of Jesus

8. Missionaries & Persecution
Peter and Paul spread teachings throughout Roman Empire
Spreads quickly
Still considered a threat to Rome
Persecuted by Roman Empire, forced underground
Emperor Nero blames Christians for great fire in ‘64 AD
Eventually, Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity and makes it legal in Rome (300s AD)
Missionaries & Persecution

9. Church Structure

10. History of Church Roman Empire becomes home of Catholic Church
1054: The Great Schism causes an East-West Split, formation of the Eastern Orthodox Church
1520s: German Monk Martin Luther begins Protestant Reformation, new dominations break from Catholic Church
History of Church

11. Scripture Old Testament: Jewish Bible
New Testament: The Gospels tell the story of life of Jesus, Letters of Missionaries (mostly Paul)
Apocrypha: Other Jewish Scriptures accepted by Catholic Church
Scripture

12. Nicene Creed: Basic Beliefs
"We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. “And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end. “And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
Nicene Creed: Basic Beliefs