Christianity and the Roman Christianity and the Roman EmpireEmpire

(Ch 13 Sec 3 and 4)(Ch 13 Sec 3 and 4)

Key TermsKey Terms

Define: crucifixion, messiah, resurrection, Define: crucifixion, messiah, resurrection, martyr, epistle, parablemartyr, epistle, parable

Beginnings of ChristianityBeginnings of Christianity

The Romans conquered the land of JudeaThe Romans conquered the land of Judea Jews here resented foreign rule and hoped Jews here resented foreign rule and hoped

the messiah would come to save and free the messiah would come to save and free themthem

Romans began to punish the Jews and Romans began to punish the Jews and appointed Herod as rulerappointed Herod as ruler

Jesus was born under the rule of Herod, in Jesus was born under the rule of Herod, in BethlehemBethlehem

His stories are part of the New TestamentHis stories are part of the New Testament

The BibleThe Bible

Book of worship: BibleBook of worship: Bible After Jesus dies, his disciples told his After Jesus dies, his disciples told his

stories written into the New Testamentstories written into the New Testament The writers were: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and The writers were: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and

John. They are the 4 Gospel writersJohn. They are the 4 Gospel writers

Christian BeliefsChristian Beliefs

Jesus grew up in Nazareth as a carpenter Jesus grew up in Nazareth as a carpenter but began to teachbut began to teach

He taught there is only one, true GodHe taught there is only one, true God His followers believed him to be the MessiahHis followers believed him to be the Messiah

Fears of ChristianityFears of Christianity

Romans complained that Jesus taught that Romans complained that Jesus taught that God was greater than the emperorGod was greater than the emperor

Jesus was condemned to death by Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion.crucifixion.

He rose from the dead and asked his He rose from the dead and asked his disciples to spread his teachings. disciples to spread his teachings.

Christianity SpreadsChristianity Spreads

The Greek word for Messiah was Cristos and The Greek word for Messiah was Cristos and Jesus became known as Christ.Jesus became known as Christ.

Christianity spread to Syria and then to RomeChristianity spread to Syria and then to Rome Letters of Paul:Letters of Paul:

*Saul, a Jew, rejected the Christian message until *Saul, a Jew, rejected the Christian message until he had a vision that Jesus spoke to himhe had a vision that Jesus spoke to him*He changed his name to Paul and began to *He changed his name to Paul and began to spread Christianityspread Christianity*Paul wrote epistles which became part of the *Paul wrote epistles which became part of the BibleBible

Rome BurnsRome Burns

Christians were viewed as enemies Christians were viewed as enemies because they did not worship the Roman because they did not worship the Roman godsgods

Fire started in Rome, leaving the city in ruinsFire started in Rome, leaving the city in ruins Nero blamed the Christians and they were Nero blamed the Christians and they were

sent to death, including Paulsent to death, including Paul

The Appeal of ChristianityThe Appeal of Christianity

For 250 years, the Romans tormented Christians and For 250 years, the Romans tormented Christians and blamed them for the decline of the Empireblamed them for the decline of the Empire

Christianity continued to spreadChristianity continued to spread The message of a better life after death appealed to manyThe message of a better life after death appealed to many Christian communities helped the poor and widowedChristian communities helped the poor and widowed Emperor Diocletian outlawed Christian services and put Emperor Diocletian outlawed Christian services and put

many to deathmany to death*They became known as martyrs*They became known as martyrs

Section handoutSection handoutReligions of the World ProjectReligions of the World Project