Lesson 2 TEST RETAKE

Origins of Christianity

• Christianity originated from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, believed to have lived from 6 B.C.E to 30 C.E.
• The New Testament describes Jesus's crucifixion, an execution method involving a cross.
• Early Christians believed Jesus was the Son of God.

Spread of Christianity

• Initially, Roman authorities viewed Christianity as a threat. Some emperors persecuted Christians.
• Emperor Constantine, after a vision of a cross, embraced Christianity. He credits the vision for his victory in the Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 C.E), and his conversion.
• His soldiers had the first two letters of “Christ” on their shields.
• Constantine favored Christianity and his mother was a leading figure in the faith.
• Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 C.E.

Judea: Birthplace of Christianity

• Christianity originated in Judea, an ancient territory at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.
• In 63 B.C.E., Judea came under Roman control, with Roman appointed rulers, but the Jews frequently rebelled.
• Judea was sometimes ruled by Jewish kings, including Herod, who rebuilt the Temple.
• Despite occasional unrest, Judea was largely self-governed under Roman rule.
• Jewish people believed in a single God and had significant religious practices.
• Before the Roman Era Judea was once a kingdom ruled by King David and Solomon.
• Jews had prophecies about a savior (the Messiah) to restore the kingdom of David.

Birth of Jesus

• The exact date of Jesus's birth is unknown.
• Historians believe he was born around 6 B.C.E during King Herod's reign.
• Most information about Jesus comes from the New Testament (Christian Bible), specifically the Gospels.
• The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John detail Jesus's life and teachings.
• The Gospel of Luke details Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, to Mary, and her husband, Joseph.
• Luke also recounts the story of the Roman census as a reason why Jesus's parents traveled to Bethlehem.
• Jesus is said to have astonished the rabbis (teachers) in the temple at Jerusalem at the age of 12.
• Jesus began his public ministry around 30 years of age after John the Baptist announced him as the Messiah.

Life and Death of Jesus

• Jesus primarily preached in Galilee.
• He focused on love, mercy, and the importance of loving God and neighbor.
• He used parables, short stories, to teach.
• A famous parable is The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
• Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover and was betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas.
• The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, ordered Jesus's crucifixion.
• The Gospels describe his death on a cross, followed by his resurrection (3 days later) and ascension into heaven.

Missionary Work of Paul

• Paul was a crucial figure in spreading Christianity.
• Initially an opponent of Christianity, Paul had a profound religious conversion experience encountering Jesus in a vision on his travels to Damascus.
• Paul became a missionary, converting Gentiles (non-Jews).
• Paul stressed belief in Jesus as the Son of God and all people were God's children, emphasizing Jesus as the Messiah for everybody.
• Paul traveled extensively in the Roman Empire preaching and establishing churches.
• Paul wrote letters to other Christians.
• Paul died around 65 CE.

Spread of Christianity

• Early converts were mostly Jewish.
• Roman authorities became increasingly suspicious of the growing Christian community as its numbers increased.
• Christians faced persecution (crucifixions, burnings, being devoured by wild animals).
• Despite persecution, Christianity continued to grow.
• By 300 C.E., millions of Christians lived throughout the Roman Empire.
• In 313 C.E., Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians freedom to practice openly.
• Later Emperors converted to Christianity, and Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 C.E.

Explore the foundational aspects of Christianity, including its origins from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the rise of early Christians, and the significant impact of Emperor Constantine on its spread. This quiz delves into the critical historical milestones that shaped Christianity as a major world religion.