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THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY
The Moral Uprising of Roman
EARLY ROMAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Romans originally worshipped nature spirits,
which evolved into gods and goddesses.
 Adopted Greek religion and mythology.
 Saw the emperor as Rome’s chief
priest.
 Variety of religions existed because Romans
were allowed to worship freely.

THE JEWISH AND THE ROMANS
Jews were free to practice their religion but
Roman government was cruel to them.
 Jews rebelled in 66 A.D. but were put down in
70 A.D. The Temple was destroyed and
thousands of Jewish people were killed.
 132 A.D. The Jews are exiled from Jerusalem.
 Many Jews hoped a messiah would save them.

JESUS OF NAZARETH
Jesus (5 B.C. – 27 B.C.) grew up in Nazareth and
traveled Judea preaching to his fellow Jews and
collecting many disciples.
 Preached about the
approaching kingdom of God,
repenting for sins, love, and
forgiveness.
 Used parables to convey
messages.

JESUS THE CHRIST PT:2
Some Jews believed he was the Messiah.
 Romans believed Jesus to be a powerful
political man who could jeopardize their ways.
 They sentenced him to be crucified until death.
 He was resurrected 3 days
later. For followers, proof
that he was the Son of God.
 Christo = messiah

CHRISTIANITY STEPS UP TO THE BIG LEAGUES
Began as a sect of Judaism, Christians taught
their faith was the only true one. Rejected the
emperor, military, and festivals.
 In time, became its own religion.
 Romans feared that any other religion would
bring the wrath of their Gods and Goddesses.
 Christians were persecuted by the Romans. If
caught creating trouble, they would be killed or
thrown to the lions in the arenas.

OUT OF THE FIRE, INTO THE LION’S DEN.
Christians would be killed by lions in the
arenas.
 They would rather be killed than give up their
faith. Known as martyrs, or people who died for
what they believed in.

ROME GOES CHRISTIAN
With the downfall of the empire, people turned
to the solid and comforting beliefs of
Christianity.
 Constantine was important in defending the
rights of Christians and their worship. By 300’s
A.D., Christianity increased dramatically in Italy.
 Theodosius made Christianity the official
religion in 392 A.D. Outlawed Hellenistic &
Roman religion.

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Realized they needed to be organized and
unified to maintain their status as a religion.
 Needed a clear statement of Christian beliefs
to avoid divisions in the church.
 St. Augustine was a brilliant man and made
many important defences for Christianity. Was
made a saint for his works.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE STEEPLE
The church’s hierarchy had the perish at the
bottom. It was run by a priest. A group of
perishes was called a diocese, overseen by a
bishop.
 Archbishops governed Christians in the large
cities of the empire. The archbishops of the five
leading cities were called the patriarchs.
 The head of all churches was the Pope.

WAR OF THE WORSHIP
Greek-speaking Christians in the east would
not accept the Pope. They would eventually
become the Eastern Orthodox Church.
 The Latin Westerns who accepted the Pope
became Roman-Catholics.
 The separation was known
as a schism.

WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY TEACH?
Golden Rule: Do onto others as they would
have do onto you.
 The Bible is the word of God and Jesus.
 Jesus loves us unconditionally, despite our sins.
 Monotheism: Only 1 God.
 Jesus is the Messiah.
 Loving God / Christ will result in everlasting life.
