Early Christianity

Early Christianity

Control by Romans

• The Romans took over Judah in 63 BC, eventually renaming it Judaea.

• Jews were allowed to practice their religion, but the Romans ruled with an iron hand.

Multiple Choice

Why would it not bother the Romans for the Jews to practice their religion?

• Romans were polytheistic so adding another "god" didn't bother them.

• Romans wanted to keep the Jews from rebelling.

• Both of these answers are true.

Control by Romans

• Some Jews cooperated with the Romans.

• Others ignored the Romans, establishing communities in remote places.

• One group, called Zealots, chose to fight against the Romans.

• Many Jews hoped that God would send a deliverer (or Messiah) to rescue them.

Multiple Choice

What empire was ruling Judaea during the Zealot rebellions?

• Greek

• Roman

• Egyptian

• Persian

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus was a Jew who grew up in a small town called Nazareth in Galilee, a region just north of Judaea.

Jesus of Nazareth

In AD 30, Jesus began preaching about his ideas. He traveled throughout the region with a group of 12 close followers, called disciples.

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus' teachings are summarized in his Sermon on the Mount.

In this sermon, Jesus preached on a mountainside to a crowd of thousands.

Jesus taught that people must love God and forgive others from the heart, not just follow religious laws.

Multiple Choice

Jesus lived according to the Torah. Jesus was

• Christian

• Muslim

• Jewish

• Roman

Jesus of Nazareth

• Jesus taught using parables. These stories used events from everyday life to help his listeners understand the ideas he was teaching.

• Jesus' followers believed he was the deliverer they were waiting for.

• Most Jews disagreed and did not follow Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth

• Roman rulers viewed Jesus as a threat to law and order.

• Around AD 33, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holy day of Passover.

• The event known as the Last Supper refers to Jesus' celebration of Passover with his 12 disciples.

Jesus of Nazareth

• After the meal, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples.

• Jesus was arrested, charged with treason (disloyalty to the government), and crucified.

Multiple Choice

What was the reason given for the arrest of Jesus?

• using parables to teach

• celebrating Passover

• preaching from the side of a mountain

• treason (disloyalty to the government)

Jesus of Nazareth

• According to Christian belief, Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion.

• The message of Jesus' resurrection, or rising from the dead, led to the birth of Christianity.

Multiple Choice

What event led to the birth (beginning) of Christianity?

• Jesus' celebration of the Passover

• Jesus' arrest and crucifixion

• Jesus' Sermon on the Mount

• Jesus' resurrection from the dead

The Apostles

The apostles were early Christian leaders who spread Jesus' message and established churches.

The Apostles

Early Christians met in homes where they prayed, studied the Hebrew Bible and early Christian writings, and ate a meal similar to the Last Supper.

Multiple Choice

One who is sent out by Jesus to spread his message and establish churches is called

• a martyr

• a pope

• an apostle

• a gospel

The Apostles

Peter and Paul were two important apostles in the early Christian Church.

The Apostles

• Peter was one of Jesus' original 12 disciples.

• According to Christian tradition, Peter helped found a church in Rome.

• Today, the center of the Catholic branch of Christianity is still located in Rome.

The Apostles

• Paul was a Jew and Roman citizen who had originally persecuted Christians.

• According to Christian belief, Paul had a vision of Jesus and converted to Christianity.

• Paul traveled throughout the eastern Mediterranean region and spread Christianity to the Gentiles, or non-Jews.

Multiple Choice

What were the names of two important apostles?

• Peter & Paul

• Simon & Peter

• Paul & Constantine

• Judas & Herod

Basic Christian Beliefs

• Like Jews, Christians believe in one God.

• However, Christians believe Jesus was the Son of God and came to save people.

• Christians believe that by accepting Jesus and his teachings, people would receive salvation, or be saved from their sins and allowed to enter heaven.

Multiple Choice

What does Christianity teach about Jesus?

• He is a Jewish priest.

• He is the Son of God.

• He is the writer of the Christian Bible.

• He is a shepherd.

Basic Christian Beliefs

• Although early Christians believed in the God of Israel and studied the Hebrew Bible, they came to view God differently.

• Christians came to believe in God as a Trinity, or one God who exists as three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Christianity in Modern Times

Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with over 2 billion followers.