The Origins and Spread of Christianity Reading check

How were the Jews of the Roman province of Judea distinct from their neighbors?

• 1. The Jews believed that the Roman gods were just as valid as the Jewish God.

• They believed in a single God and practiced religious customs that tied them to their homeland.

• The Jews were not nearly as focused on religion as their neighbors were.

Why was the Herod, the King of Judea in Roman times, mistrusted by his Jewish subjects?

• 1. Herod destroyed the Jewish tenmple built by Solomon.

• 1. Herod did not practice the Jewish faith.

• 1. Herod seemed to be completely controlled by the Romans.

 Why did the Romans replace Jewish kings with Roman military governors?

• 1. The Jews rebelled several times, so the Romans sent troops to bring order.

• 1. The Jewish people preferred Roman leadership over Jewish kings.

• 1. The Jews believed it was impossible to have virtuous kings.

In what way did the Romans grant local control of some matters to the Jews?

• 1. The Jews were allowed to nominate one of their leaders to be the Roman governor of Judea.

• 1. The Jews were allowed to maintain an army as long as they were no threat to Rome.

• 1. Jewish local affairs were controlled by a religious council headed by the high priest of their religion.

What did many Jews believe about their "Messiah"?

• 1. They believed the Messiah would destroy the Roman Empire. and that Jewish kings would rule the world.

• 1. They believed the Messiah would free them from the Romans and restore the kingdom of David.

• 1. They believed the Messiah would destroy the Roman religion and that all Romans would accept Judaism.

What is the source for the account of the life of Jesus?

• 1. Roman historians like Seutonius and Polybius record the Jesus stories.

• 1. The stories of Jesus are found in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• 1. The stories of Jesus were preserved in Greek histories commissioned by Alexander the Great.

According to the Bible, how did Mary find out she would give birth to Jesus?

• 1. A prophet named Isaiah visited Mary and told her his predictions about Jesus.

• 1. Mary had a dream in which she saw the birth of Jesus in her future.

• 1. An angel reportedly appeared to Mary to give her the news.

According to the Bible. why did Joseph take his pregnant wife Mary on a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem?

• 1. Joseph was looking for a certain kind of midwife who specialized in miraculous births.

• 1. Joseph was following instructions from the Romans to return with his family to his city of birth to be counted in the census.

• 1. Jospeh had a job lined up in Bethlehem that would help him make some money to buy a house for his young family.

Why is Nazareth an important place in the story of Jesus' life?

• 1. Nazareth is where Jesus died.

• 1. Nazareth is where Jesus was born.

• 1. Nazareth is where Jesus was raised.

What changed about Jesus' life when he turned 30?

• 1. After praying in the wilderness, Jesus began preaching his message.

• 1. After teaching in the temple, Jesus organized an armed resistence to Roman rule.

• 1. After living fishing for forty days, Jesus took a journey to Egypt to meet his apostles.