The+Rise+of+Christianity

The Rise of Christianity

Bold:
 * 1) Jesus- A jew who was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea.
 * 2) Apostles- Jesus's deciples or pupils, of 12 men.
 * 3) Paul- An apostle who had an enormous influence on christianity development, because he he reportadly had a vision of christ.
 * 4) Diaspora- Jew that were driven from their homeland by the Romans in 132 AD.
 * 5) Constantine- A roman emperor, who was fighting three rivals for leadership of Rome. He marched to the tiber river at Rometo battle his cheif rival.
 * 6) Bishop- Also a priest, supervised several local churches.
 * 7) Peter- An apostle who had traveled to Rome from Jerusalem and became the first bishop there.
 * 8) Pope Some say that Peter was the first pope, the father or head of teh christan church.

Key People: Jesus- A jew who was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, somebelieved that he was the Messiah. Constantine- A roman emperor, who was fighting three rivals for leadership of Rome. He marched to the tiber river at Rometo battle his cheif rival. One day before the battle of Milvian bridge Constantine prayed for devine help, he reported that he saw an image of a cross the symbol of christianity. Peter- An apostle who had traveled to Rome from Jerusalem and became the first bishop there. Paul- apostle who had an enormous influence on christianity development, because he he reportadly had a vision of christ. Paul wrote influenial letters called Epistles to groups of believers. Pontius Pilate- acused Jesus of defying the athority of Rome, and sent him to be crusified. Augustine- became bishop of the city of Hippo, he taught that people needed the grace of god to be saved. One of Augustine's most famous books was: The City of God.

Ideas/Events:

THE LIFE TEACHINGS OF JESUS:
 * Roman power was all the way at Judea, the land of the jews around 63 BC, Rome took controll of that land around 67 AD.
 * According to biblical tradition, Gad had promised the Jews that that a savior known as the Messiah would arrive and restore he kingdom of the Jews.
 * After two decades of Roman ruling some believed that that savior had arrived.

JESUS OF NAZARETH:
 * Historians believed that around 6 to 4 BC a Jew named Jesus was born.
 * Jesus was raised in the village of Nazareth.
 * He was babtized by a man named- John the Baptist.
 * At age 30, Jesus began public ministry, his teachings contained many ideas of Jewish tradition.
 * He preached that God would end wickedness in the world.

A GROWING MOVEMENT:
 * The gospels are the first of teh books in the new testimate.
 * Jesus's words were simple and direct.

JESUS' DEATH:
 * Jesus' popularity concered both the Roman leaders and that Jewish leaders.
 * In 29 AD the chief priests of Jews denined that Jesus was the Messiah.
 * The Roman govenor Pontius Pilate acused Jesus of defying the athority of Rome, and sent him to be crusified.
 * Three days after Jesus' body was burried irt went missing and according to the Gospels he was seen by his followers.
 * After his death, Jesus was refered to as Jesus Christ.

CHRISTIANITY SPREADS THROUGH THE EMPIRE:
 * The followers of Jesus still spread his treachings after death.
 * Jesus' followers were Jews.
 * The new religion of Christianity spread throught the Roman Empire.
 * Paul was once an ememy of christianity.
 * Paul wrote influenial letters called Epistles to groups of believers.

JEWISH REBELION:
 * In 66 AD a band of Jews rebelled aginst Rome, after that Rome fought back destoyed they're temple complex.
 * The Jewish Fortress near Masada held out until 73 AD.

PERSECUTION OF TEH CHRISTANS:
 * Christan refused to worship Roman Gods.
 * Roman exiled, imprisoned, or executed Christans.
 * Martyrs are people willing to sacrifice they're own lives for belief or cause.

A WORLD RELIGION:
 * Christianity grew because it:
 * Embraced all people.
 * Gave hope to the powerless.
 * Appeal to those who were repelled by Rome.
 * Offered a personal relationshp with a loving God.
 * Promised eternal life after death.

CONSTANTINE ACCEPTS CHRISTIANITY:
 * One day before the battle of Milvian bridge Constantine prayed for devine help, he reported that he saw an image of a cross the symbol of christianity.
 * In the nest year after the battle, 313 AD Constantine announced an end to teh persecution of christans.
 * Emperor Theodosius amde christianity the offical emperor's religion.

EARLY CHRISTAN CHRUCH:
 * According to tradition, Jesus called Peter the rock on witch the christan church would be built.
 * Evenually every major city had its own bishop.

A SINGLE VOICE:
 * As christianity grew, disagreement about belueves developed among its followers.
 * Church leaders called any contradicting beluief to the christan religion, a hersey.
 * The Nicene Creed that determined teh basic beiefs of teh chruch.

THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH:
 * One of teh most important fathers of the chruch was Augustine who became bishop of teh city of Hippo, he taught that people needed the grace of gad to be saved.
 * One of Augustine's most famous books was: The City of God.