Transcript Christianity and the Roman Empire

Christianity and the Roman
Empire
In this lesson, students will identify
characteristics of the Christian religion and
the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
Students will be able to identify and/or
define the following terms:
Christianity
Jesus of Nazareth
EmperorE.Constantine
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The Romans
had conquered
the Jews. The
Jewish people
believed that their
God would send
them a great
King or Messiah to
lead them to
political freedom.
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Some Jews
believed that
Jesus of Nazareth
was the Messiah.
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Jesus
• Jesus was a carpenter.
• At the age of 30, he began preaching.
• He preached that God loved all people
equally and that his followers should love
even their enemies.
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His followers
believed that Jesus
performed miracles
like raising the dead
and healing the sick.
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Trouble with the Government
• After three years of preaching, Jesus’
popularity frightened some Jewish leaders.
• It was rumored that Jesus’ followers would
rebel against the Roman authorities.
• Such a rebellion would cause suffering
and hardship among the conquered
people.
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Rebelling against the Romans would
only cause hardship and suffering.
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One of Jesus’ followers,
Judas, betrayed Jesus.
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The Crucifixion
• Jesus was betrayed, crucified, and died.
• His followers believed that he rose on the
third day after his death.
• His followers believed that Jesus was
resurrected.
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The Romans crucified Jesus.
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Cultural Diffusion and Christianity
• After Jesus’ crucifixion, his followers
spread his teachings.
• Paul brought Jesus’ teachings to the
Gentiles or non-Jewish people.
• Christianity spread throughout the Roman
Empire.
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Paul brought
Christianity to
the Gentiles.
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Emperor Constantine
• Initially, the Romans persecuted and even
killed Christians.
• However, over time, even some of the
Roman elite became Christians.
• Emperor Constantine was the first Roman
emperor to convert to Christianity.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Who was Jesus of Nazareth and what did
he preach?
• Why were some government officials
concerned about Jesus?
• What did the Romans do to Jesus?
• Define resurrection.
• What happened to Christianity after the
death of Jesus?
• Who was Constantine and why was he a
significant Roman Emperor?
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