The Rise of Christianity

Objective: To describe and interpret the origins and doctrinal beliefs of

Christianity.

Essential Questions: How are elements of Christianity reflective of Judaism?

The Life of Jesus Born in Palestine

(Bethlehem) when it was under Roman rule

As a young man he was Jewish and studied with Rabbis & learned carpentry

At 30 became a preacher- teacher poor -merciful God

Perform miracles- healing the sick and raising the dead

Attract disciples- 12 to help him do his work

Life of Jesus contd. Roman officials see his

growing popularity as a threat/ rebel

Jesus showed respect for HRE but refuse to accept him as a God

Jesus arrested AD 33 sentenced to death by crucifixion

Resurrection: On Sun. following his execution the followers discover his tomb was empty- Jesus appears as he had been alive

God had raised Jesus from the dead

Story of Jesus comes from Gospels

Story of Jesus' birth told in New Testament of the Bible in writings of Matthew & Luke

Some Jews believed a messiah (Savior from God) would deliver the Jews from foreign rule & restore Israeli kingdom

Others saw him as a trouble maker breaking with traditions

The Teachings of Jesus:

Used Parables (short stories with moral lessons)

There is 1 God- Monotheism

Same God as Hebrews recognized

10 Commandments of Hebrews as Gods law

Stress love for God and compassion for people

Offer a forgiving God & loving father of all people (poor, rich, Jewish, non-Jewish)

Everyone is EQUAL in the eyes of God said Jesus

People who were humble, merciful, & unselfish rewarded with eternal life Justification by faith Acquiring wealth does not guarantee salvation

The Spread of Christianity:

Followers believe he was the son of God His followers called Christians from Greek

word Christos- messiah Christianity spread across the Roman World Missionaries Peter & Paul – Paul dramatic

conversion and early missionary work Some say without work of St. Paul

Christianity would have been just another Jewish sect

St. Peter St. Paul

Persecution & Appeal

Romans overall tolerant except suspicious of Christians – refuse to show respect for Roman Gods –persecuted

1000s of people persecuted- became martyrs: people who suffer/ die for beliefs

1 Roman observed: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Christian Church.”

AD 313 Roman Emperor Constantine converts and ends persecution- by 395 official religion of Roman Empire!!!

Appeal: to rich and poor alike Offer of hope and salvation of eternal life Christian belief that each person could achieve

salvation through moral choices- control over own destiny

The Great Schism

AD 330 Roman Empire is divided and eastern half becomes Byzantium 1054 patriarchs of Eastern and Western division of Constantinople and Rome unable to resolve differences Church split into Orthodox (Constantinople) and Roman Catholic (Rome) Eastern ruler refuse to recognize pope in Rome as head of Church- Byzantine Emperor heads Church himself

Christianity at a Glance: Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old

Testament Jesus Christ is the son of God- sent to save

humanity from its sins There is only one God but 3 elements: The Holy

Trinity– God the Father – God the Son– The Holy Spirit The Bible is the Christian holy book- Old and New Testament Prayer is how Christians communicate with God Church where Holy Spirit manifests in Earth and

Christians brought into the faith

The Eucharist: commemorates the Last Supper Jesus took with his disciples- in some churches literally interpreted as Christ is present in the bread and wine- others symbol

How is Judaism related to Christianity?

• Judaism predates Christianity – it is the foundation of Christianity but is not a part of it

• Jesus was Jewish, as were his followers and the Apostles

• Jews do not believe that Jesus was anything more than a good and wise man who lived and died 2000 years ago – Jews still await their messiah

• The Jewish messiah would not be divine. He would be a political figure who restores the Hebrew monarchy and causes peace to reign on Earth

• Jews are not concerned about salvation and the “world to come”

• Both foundations in Palestine • Monotheistic • Recognize some of the same Prophets • Christians recognize the Old Testament

Sources:

• Google Images • BBC Religions: Christianity:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/