1. Christianity

2. Historical Context
Different Jewish Groups in Jerusalem with different interpretations of Judaism
Palestine
Roman Empire
Polytheistic religions being worshipped
Emperor Worship
Greek Philosophy

3. Jesus of Nazareth Life Preaching Message of renewal and warning
Performed miracles of healing; defended the poor, oppressed
Instructed people to repent of sins, seek God’s forgiveness
Must love God above all, love others as much as self
Jesus born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem He was a Jew
Nearly all knowledge of Jesus comes from Gospels—first four books of New Testament
Learned carpentry, studied writings of Jewish prophets

4. Death and Resurrection
Jesus’s popularity alarmed authorities who feared political uprisings
Jesus arrested, tried, sentenced to death
According to New Testament, after crucifixion
Jesus rose from dead
Made contact with disciples
Ascended into heaven
Followers believed Resurrection, Ascension revealed Jesus as the Messiah

5. Christians believe In the Christian Holy Trinity God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit

6. Christians believe Jesus was God Died and Resurrected
Jesus Christ shall return again
Heaven and Hell
Christian Bible –Old Testament(Hebrew Bible)
New Testament(Gospels,
Letters, Teachings of Jesus)

7. Christianity Spreads After the Death of Jesus
Apostles: 12 of them
Paul: wrote 13 books of the Bible
The teachings of Jesus spread through letters written to Christian communities, followers traveling around the Roman Empire, and through oral tradition

8. The widespread appeal of Christianity:
Embraced all people
Gave hope to the powerless
Appealed to those who were against the extravagances of Rome
Personal relationship with God
Promised eternal life after death.

9. Document 1 “Our Roman gods demand sacrifices from their subjects
Document 1 “Our Roman gods demand sacrifices from their subjects. Without their blessings, the Roman Empire is doomed. Yet those who follow the teachings of Christ refuse to make sacrifices to the gods, claiming that their God is the only true god. What nonsense!!! Those silly people and their silly ideas. They should get on their knees and worship the ground that Jupiter and Minerva have create.” - Maximus, Roman Governor
According to document 1, why did the Roman government view Christians as a threat to the Empire?

10. Document 2
The teachings of Christ tells us that ‘Thou shall not kill’ and that ‘Those who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword.’ Therefore we shall not join the Roman legions and kill strangers in a strange land. And if the Emperor decides that we must be executed for upholding our beliefs, we gladly become martyrs.”
- Paulus, Roman Christian
According to document 2, why would the Emperor execute Christians?

11. Document 3 “How dare they refuse to honor me
Document 3 “How dare they refuse to honor me!?! All good Romans must burn incense before my statues and honor me as a god. Yet these Christians refuse to do so. Well, if I have to feed every last one of them to the lions, I will. If I have to sew them into the skins of wild animals and have packs of dogs rip them to shreds, I will. If I must crucify every last one of them, I will. Sooner or later, they will acknowledge me as their superior ruler.” - Nero, Roman Emperor
According to document 3, how could Christians in the Roman Empire have avoided a painful execution?

12. 3 Major Christian Denominations
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Protestant
There are many more in the world today

13. Important Years in Christianity
313- Edict of Milan: Roman Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity and introduces religious tolerance
1054-Great Schism: Split between Eastern and Western Christians(Roman Catholic & Eastern Orthodox
1517-Martin Luther: Rejects authority of Roman Catholic Church and begins Reformation

14. Christian Holidays Christmas: -celebrates the birth of Jesus
-celebration in churches
-presents are exchanged
Easter: -celebrates the resurrection of Jesus celebration in churches around the
world

15. Christian Places of Worship-Church

17. Symbols

18. Catholic Priest, Pope, Orthodox Priest

19. Nun and Preachers