Transcript III. The Rise of Christianity

The Rise of Christianity
Who is pictured here?
A. Who was Jesus?

Born in 4 BCE., birthday in March.

Descendent of King David (line of
Jewish kings)

Born during Roman census, raised in
Nazareth (modern-day Israel).

Little is known about Jesus’ childhood

Began preaching at age 30
Jesus as he truly looked…
If Jesus looked like most
pictures you’ve seen, his
appearance would have made
him stick out like a sore thumb
in his society.
Judas Iscariot had to point out
Jesus to the Romans because
they could not pick him out of a
crowd of his followers.
B. Jesus’ Message

Jesus is the Messiah (blessed king sent to free the Jews)

His mission is the complete salvation that God promised to
the people of Israel.

He is the sin-bearer

People are taught to look for inner peace by practicing
humility, charity, forgiveness and love toward others

Jesus was put to death by Romans for “revolutionary”
ideas. Followers said he rose from the dead 3 days later.
C. Jesus’ Death

Crucified

One apostle betrayed
him – Judas Iscariot

According to the
Gospels, Jesus rose
from the dead & his
tomb was empty
D. Spread of Christianity

Apostles spread Jesus’ message
across Judea

Then began to preach and spread
across the Roman world
a.
b.
c.
d.
Traveled on Roman roads
Used Roman religion to their advantage
Appealed to the poor
Paul was the main missionary
i. Traveled all across Rome
ii. Bible – Holy book of the Christians;
Jewish Torah + Gospels about Jesus and
his apostles
D. Spread of Christianity
3. Persecution (harassment to cause pain)
a. Roman tolerance of religion not extended to Christianity


Christians refused to make sacrifices to the emperor or
honor Roman gods
They were beheaded, crucified, and tortured
b. Despite this, Christianity spread
4. Persecution ends in 313 CE
a. Edict of Milan passed by emperor Constantine (freedom
of worship to all citizens)
b. 80 years later, emperor Theodosius made Christianity
official religion