Christianity:Christianity:From Persecution to Belief

The Beginnings of The Beginnings of Christianity Christianity

• Jesus Christ, born in Roman ruled Palestine

• When Christianity began in the first century, the Romans dismissed it as a minor Jewish sect, that would have little effect on the rest of the world.

BeliefsBeliefsGod’s laws were

the Ten Commandments- handed down to people through a prophet- Moses

It was recorded in a sacred book- The Torah

• This was unique at the time- Belief in a single , all powerful deity and a written code of beliefs

Jesus ChristJesus ChristJesus Christ began

teaching that the prophecies of the Torah were coming true in 30 CE.

Followers believed he was the son of God.

People saw him as the MESSIAH- who had come to free them from Roman rule

Jesus Christ (continued)Jesus Christ (continued)

some people saw Jesus as a potential revolutionary who might lead a revolt against Rome

His opponents finally turned him over to Roman authorities and he was crucified by Pontius Pilate

PersecutionPersecution

Other religions were tolerated unless these religions threatened public order or morals

What concerned Roman rulers, was that Christians preached that all people were equal in the eyes of God.

Persecution (continued)Persecution (continued)

Christians refused to worship either the emperor or the Roman Gods.

People blamed the Christians for natural disasters such as floods or famines…as these were punishments from the Gods.

Rituals such as eating bread (body of Christ) and drinking wine (his blood), were acts of cannibalism.

The Empire Adopts ChristianityThe Empire Adopts Christianity

Although Christians were being persecuted, Christianity continued to grow

Roman religion: For the good of Rome

Christianity: Salvation & Eternal Life

Attractive to all classes of people

The Empire Adopts The Empire Adopts Christianity Christianity By the fourth century, it was clear

that Christianity was here to stay

In 313 Constantine issued allowed official tolerance of Christianity

Constantine became the first Christian Emperor

By 395 CE, Christianity became the official religion of Rome.

Read page 229-232Read page 229-232REFLECT AND ANALYZE

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