The Rise of Christianity

Chapter 6-Section 3

Bell WorkTuesday 10/01

Look in your book beginning on page 168

to find the answers

• 1. What did Jesus emphasize in his early teachings?

• 2. Why did early Christians face persecution from the Romans?

• 3. What is the Diaspora?

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

• Jesus of Nazareth-– According to the Christian faith

he is the son of God (fully man/fully God) and the Messiah or savior of the world

– Age 30 began his public ministry

• Focused on a personal relationship with God.

• Preached spiritual redemption and performed miracles.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

• The Apostles-– 12 of Jesus’ closest friends and

followers• Christian Bible- 66 books

– Old Testament• History of the Hebrew people and Gods

covenant with his people – New Testament

• Collection of writings about the life and teaching of Jesus and Gods plan for our lives in relation to him

– Jesus did not write the bible

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

• Jesus Death- – Jesus was crucified in 29 A.D.

• Jewish leaders were afraid of Jesus’ teaching and authority, seeing him as a threat to their power

– Jesus’ Resurrection-• According to Christian tradition three days after his

death, Jesus rose from the grave and appeared to his disciples

• This is the most important aspect of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection there is no redemption for man’s sins

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

• Christianity spread rapidly through out the Roman Empire

• The Apostle Paul-– He stressed that Jesus was the son of

God and helped welcome all people Jew and Gentile to Christianity

• Diaspora- 1,800 year period where there was no Jewish political state

A World Religion

• Reasons for the widespread appeal of Christianity-– Embraced all people – Gave hope to the powerless– A place for those disenfranchised

by Rome– Offered a personal relationship w/

God– Promised eternal life after death

A World Religion

• Constantine- Roman emperor who converted to Christianity and ended their persecution with the Edict of Milan

• Pope-Father or head of the Catholic Church

A World Religion

• The Nicene Creed-– Established a unified set of

beliefs for the Christian church and added the New Testament to the Hebrew bible (Old Testament)