1. Development of Christianity Pt I Bellringer
Match the person on the left with the corresponding item on the right. You may use your text, Chapter 5, section 4 if necessary.
Paul of Tarsus A. Christian martyr
Simon Peter B. Fisherman and follower of Jesus
Perpetua C. Issued the edict of Milan
Constantine D. Wrote epistles and founded communities in the eastern Mediterranean

2. Background: Roman Religions
Official state religion focused on the worship of many gods and goddesses
Emperors were sometimes made ‘honorary’ gods by the Roman Senate
Believed that observation of proper ritual guaranteed peace and prosperity
Tolerant of other religions as long as those religions recognized the superiority of the Roman empire.
Jewish History
The religion of Judaism differed from the other religions of the time in that it was monotheistic (meaning its followers believed in one god, God), whereas other religions were polytheistic (meaning their followers believed in many gods).
When Cyrus the Great captured Babylon, he allowed the Jewish that had been brought there to return to Jerusalem. 

3. The Jewish Background The “Children of Israel” Spiritual Dimensions
Migrated from Mesopotamia to Palestine (Canaan)
Lifestyle based on grazing flocks and herds
Migrated to Egypt and were enslaved until Moses led them out
Wandered for forty years in the desert before returning to Palestine to establish a united kingdom known as Israel.
Spiritual Dimensions
Monotheistic
There is but one God, called Yahweh (Yhwh), the creator of the world and everything in it
Exodus 34:6 - 7

4. The Jewish Background Three aspects of Judaism Covenant Law Murder
Jews believed that God made a promise to lead the Israelites out of bondage into the promised land
Law
Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20: 1-17)
There are 613 Commandments (subdivided into 248) including diet, Sabbath observance, circumcision
Murder

5. The Jewish Background
Prophets
Certain religious teachers sent by God to serve as His voice to the people
Embraced a concern for all humanity
Cried out against social injustice
Warned of dire punishments for committing sins against humanity
By 6 AD, Judaea was made a Roman province and placed under the direction of a Roman official called a procurator

6. The Jewish Background Jews differed in opinion about Roman rule
Sadducees
priests
favored cooperation with Rome
Pharisees
scholars
close observance of religious law would protect Jewish identity from Roman influence
Essenes
lived apart from society
awaited a Messiah to save Israel from oppression
Zealots
called for violent overthrow of Roman rule
Jewish revolt began in 66AD and was crushed four years later by the Romans
Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed