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Christianity and Judaism Judaism in the Roman World Roman Compromise • Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth developed into new religion— Christianity • Jews had to pay tribute to Romans but unwilling to abandon religion for polytheistic religion of Romans • Many of teachings rooted in beliefs, customs of Judaism • 63 BC, Romans conquered Judaea, chose new ruler for region, installed him as king • Roman leaders allowed Jews to practice religion as long as they paid tribute, maintained civic order Judaism in the Roman World Reactions to Roman Rule • Judaism had different branches, varying ideas on cooperation with Romans • Zealots called on fellow Jews to drive Romans from Judaea, reestablish Kingdom of Israel Zealots • Zealots formed pockets of resistance against Romans of Judaea • After mass uprising AD 66–70, Romans sacked Jerusalem, killed thousands of Jews, destroyed Second Temple Messianic Prophecies • After revolt in 130s, all Jews banned from Jerusalem • Not all Jews willing to take up arms; others waited coming of Messiah— spiritual leader prophesied to restore ancient kingdom, bring peace to world Jesus of Nazareth Against this background, a spiritual leader named Jesus of Nazareth emerged, teaching people to prepare for God’s Judgment Day. Life Preaching • Nearly all knowledge of Jesus comes from Gospels—first four books of New Testament • Jesus preached message of renewal and warning • New Testament and books of Hebrew Bible make up today’s Christian Bible • Created excitement by performing miracles of healing; defending poor, oppressed • Jesus born in Bethlehem, near Jerusalem • Instructed people to repent of sins, seek God’s forgiveness • Learned carpentry, studied writings of Jewish prophets • Must love God above all, love others as much as self • Gathered group of disciples The Spread of Christianity After Jesus’s death, his disciples began teaching that all people could achieve salvation—the forgiveness of sins and the promise of everlasting life. Apostles • Jesus’s 12 disciples worked to spread message • Earliest Christian missionaries • Apostles traveled widely, teaching mostly in Jewish communities Paul of Tarsus Conversion • Paul, originally known as Saul, born in Tarsus, in Asia Minor • Paul had conversion on way to Damascus, became Christian • Had actively opposed those teaching that Jesus was the Messiah • If not for his work, Christianity might have remained a branch of Judaism Converting the Gentiles • Paul believed God sent him to convert non-Jews, or Gentiles • Paul helped make Christianity broader religion, attracted many new followers • Helped establish Christian churches throughout eastern Mediterranean • Paul’s epistles, or letters, to those churches later became part of the New Testament Roman Christianity • Paul found some Jewish customs hindered missionary work among nonJews, dispensed with those requirements for Christians • Paul emphasized new doctrines that helped distinguish Christianity from Judaism • Christianity spread; message of love, eternal life after death found appealing • By AD 300, some 10 percent of Roman people were Christian Persecution Results • As Christianity spread through Roman world, some local officials feared Christians conspiring against them; arrested, killed many Christians • Those killed seen by Christians as martyrs, people who die for their faith Threat • Christians persecuted at local level, but large-scale persecution rare during first two centuries after Jesus’s life • Large-scale persecution by Romans grew as rulers saw Christianity as threat Imperial Approval • Spread of Christianity hastened by conversion of emperor Constantine • AD 313, Constantine made Christianity legal within empire, Edict of Milan • By late 300s, polytheism gradually disappeared from empire The Early Christian Church Communities • Earliest Christian churches not only spiritual organizations but close-knit communities • Provided all kinds of support for members Deepening Faith Complex • Support included burial services, food, shelter • Christianity grew; organization became more complex Ceremonies • Ceremonies developed to inspire people’s faith, make them feel closer to Jesus • During Eucharist, people eat bread, drink wine in memory of Jesus’s death, resurrection • One ceremony was Eucharist • With baptism, people are admitted to the faith Expansion of the Church By about 100, priests who were trained in these ceremonies became prominent within Christianity. The authority of the priests was based on the authority Jesus gave the Apostles. This spiritual authority distinguished the priests from the general congregation of the church. Administrative Structure • Church expanded, developed administrative structure • Bishop oversaw church affairs, had authority over other priests • 300s, heads of oldest congregations, patriarchs, had authority over other bishops Peter the Apostle • Many believed Peter founded Roman Church, was first bishop • Later bishops of Rome, popes, Peter’s spiritual heirs • Gospel of Matthew: Jesus gives Peter keys to kingdom of heaven • Therefore future popes inherit keys Patriarchs did not recognize the popes’ supremacy claims at first, but over time popes gained more influence within the Christian Church.