The First Christians

What structure emerged in the early Christian church?

• All members of the church shared responsibility equally.

• The church was led by the laity, who told the bishops what to do.

• No particular structure emerged until several centuries had passed.

• Christian communities were lead by clergy who had distinct functions separate from regular church members.

How was one initiated into the Christian community?

• by donating a lot of money to the church

• through a painful initiation ceremony

• through a purification by water (baptism)

• by sacrificing a small animal by sacrificing a small animal

According to the traditional story, what convinced Constantine to convert to Christianity?

• He had a vision of the Christian cross, which was meant as a sign that he would win an important battle.

• that all people are spiritually equal in Christianity, regardless of nationality, class, or race

• He dreamed that if he painted the Christian cross on his soldiers' shields, he would win an important battle.

• He wanted to repent for his earlier persecution of Christians.

What did Paul mean when he said "Here there is no Greek or Jew …barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all?"

• that Greeks, Jews, and the other groups he listed would never believe in Christian teachings

• that all people are spiritually equal in Christianity, regardless of nationality, class, or race

• that only Greeks, Jews, and Scythians could become Christians

• that people had to be well-traveled to become a Christian

What is an apostle?

• An early Christian leader who spread the message of Christ

• The act of rising from the dead

• A story that uses everyday life events to teach a lesson or religious idea

• One of the first 12 followers of Jesus

How was one initiated into the Christian community?

• By donating money to the church

• Through a purification by water

• By sacrifying small animals

• Through initiation ceremony

The First Christian Emperor was:

• Octavian

• Caligula

• Constantine

• Christos

What structure emerged in the early Christian church?

• All members of the church shared responsibility equally.

• The church was led by the laity, who told the bishops what to do.

• No particular structure emerged until several centuries had passed.

• Christian communities were lead by clergy who had distinct functions separate from regular church members.

Why did the Romans persecute Christians during the reign of Nero?

• Romans were intolerant of any religion.

• Christians refused to worship the state gods and emperors.

• Christians started a fire that destroyed much of Rome.

• Nero converted to Christianity

How were early Christians treated in the Roman Empire?

• with respect

• as privileged citizens

• horribly

• they were ignored