CHRISTIANITY IN ANCIENT ROME The Spread of Christianity

CHRISTIANITY IN ANCIENT ROME The Spread of Christianity

Jewish Background THE PROMISE OF A MESSIAH

The Kingdom of the Jews *Judea, the kingdom of the Jews was taken over by the Romans *Made a province (state) of the Roman Empire in A. D. 6 *Many Jews believed God would send a Messiah who would come to restore freedom

Just Historical or the Messiah? WHO WAS JESUS?

*Began his teachings around the age 30 *Good works, performed miracles around the region *A lot of teachings connected to Jewish tradition: -Monotheism -10 Commandments zar Na *Jesus was born in Nazareth around 6 to 4 B. C. eth Who Was Jesus?

Jesus & His Teachings *Christianity started as a sect (or group) of Judaism because of the connection to Jewish traditions *However, some of Jesus’ teachings did not fit with the Jewish beliefs… -A personal relationship with God -Love for all people, not just Jews -Eternal kingdom & life after death *Jesus told people he was the son of God, many people believed he was the Messiah that God has promised

Jesus & His Teachings *The Jewish leaders did not like Jesus’ teachings and they did not believe he was the son of God *Claimed to the Romans that Jesus was trying to create instability among the Roman Empire *The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, arrested Jesus and sentenced him to be crucified

Dedicated to Christ’s Message THE NEXT CHAPTER

Spreading the Word *3 days after the crucifixion the Bible says that Jesus rose from the dead *Jesus’ 12 Apostles (pupils) believed even more that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God *The Apostles & Jesus’ followers dedicated their lives to spreading His Word

Troubles Ahead *Refused to acknowledge & worship the Roman gods, this was seen as opposition the Roman Empire *Persecution of Christians meant they were put in jail, fed to wild animals, burned *Became scapegoats for political & economic problems

The Spread Continues *By 200, over 1 million Christians in the Roman Empire *An attractive message: -Embraced all people -Gave hope -Personal relationship -Eternal afterlife

The Spread Continues *A. D. 313 – Constantine the Great issued Edict of Milan – ended persecution of Christians, declared Christianity approved by the emperor *A. D. 380 – Emperor Theodosius the Great made it the official religion of the Roman Empire

Christianity Today Blues & purples = different sects of Christianity *about 2 billion Christians today (1 in 3 people) *most live in Europe and the Americas