Belief Systems: Christianity

Global Studies 9Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Bernier

Roots of ChristianityChristianity was founded by a Jewish man named Jesus Christ around 30 A.D. in the Middle East. According to Jewish tradition, his mother Mary, had been told before he was born that he would be the messiah, the Jewish word for a savior sent by God.

Roots of ChristianityWhen he got older he started preaching and teaching new ideas to people in the countryside. He used parables (short stories) to get his ideas across to the people. Christianity also teaches that Jesus performed miracles.

Roots of ChristianitySome Jews welcomed Jesus, while others saw him as a dangerous troublemaker. To the Romans, who occupied Jerusalem at that time, he was a revolutionary who might lead the Jews in a rebellion against Roman rule.

Roots of Christianity

Jesus was betrayed by one of his followers. Around 29 A.D. the Romans arrested Jesus, tried him, and executed him by crucifixion. By this method a person was tied or nailed to a cross and left to die. After Jesus’ death, many of his followers said that he had risen from the grave.

Roots of Christianity

Not long after, Jesus’s followers spread Christianity to other areas. His followers even established it in the city of Rome itself. But many Romans, who were polytheistic did not like Christianity, and persecuted Christians.

Roots of ChristianityDespite the persecution, Christianity continued to spread. There were several reasons. Jesus had welcomed all people, especially the humble, poor, and oppressed. They found comfort in his message of love.

Roots of ChristianityPeople also understood the words of Jesus Christ and his followers. Early Christian documents were usually written in Greek or Latin, languages that many people in the empire understood.

Roots of ChristianityAs time passed, people were impressed by the strength of Christians’ belief. The persecution of Christians finally ended in 313 A.D., when the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan. It granted freedom of worship to all citizens of the Roman Empire. Some 80 years later, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Teachings and Beliefs

• Monotheism: there is only one God.

• Ten Commandments: given to Moses by God.

• Jesus Christ was the son of God and the

• promised savior.

Teachings and Beliefs

• Sacraments: religious practices Christians should take part in.

• Attend services on Sunday and holy days.

Holy Book, Place of Worship, and Important People

• The Holy Bible including the Old and New Testaments are important texts.

• A church is the place of worship for Christians.

• Important people include priests, ministers, deacons, monks, nuns, and lay people.