Questions and Answers
Where was Jesus born, according to Christianity?
What was Jesus' relationship with the Roman Empire?
What was Jesus' view on the Oral Torah?
What was the outcome of Jesus' teachings for the Roman and Jewish leaders?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the meaning of the term 'Christ' in Christianity?
Signup and view all the answers
In what century CE was the term 'Christian' first used to describe Jesus' followers?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the New Testament, what happened to Jesus after his crucifixion?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main appeal of Jesus' message to non-Jews?
Signup and view all the answers
What marked the beginning of Christianity as an organized religion?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a core belief that is common across most Christian denominations?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the focus of Jesus' earliest followers?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the result of the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire around 250 CE?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the house church in Dura-Europos?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main focus of Christian traditions that emerged from Jesus' followers?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the percentage of the Roman Empire's population that was Christian by the 3rd century CE?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Life of Christ
- Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem around 6 BCE and grew up in Nazareth, a town in modern-day Israel.
- Jesus was born to Mary and followed Jewish laws and teachings written in the Torah, but rejected the Oral Torah and Roman Empire's excessive greed and control.
- Jesus' teachings were considered radical, arguing for different ways to interpret Jewish teachings and interact with the Roman Empire.
- Jesus' teachings upset many Roman and Jewish leaders, leading to his execution by crucifixion around 30 CE.
- According to the New Testament, Jesus conquered death, raising himself from the dead and ascending to heaven.
Origin of the Official Church
- The origin of Christianity is difficult to determine because early Christianity was a fringe movement of Judaism.
- The term "Christian" was first used to describe those who followed Jesus' teachings in the 1st century CE.
- Around 50 CE, the Jerusalem Council marked the beginning of Christianity as an organized religion.
- Within 100 years of Jesus' death and resurrection, Christians of both Jewish and non-Jewish origin spread across the Roman Empire.
Teachings
- Core beliefs common across most Christian denominations include:
- Jesus was God embodied and born of a virgin.
- Jesus was the Christ/Messiah and lived a sinless life.
- Jesus died for the sins of humanity and was resurrected.
- Eternal life can be gained through belief in God and repentance of sins.
- Jesus' core teachings included:
- Loving one's neighbor as oneself.
- Humility and treating others with respect.
- Forgiving enemies.
- Loving God before all else.
The Christian Church
- Although Christianity is the largest world religion today, it began as a fringe movement with a small following.
- By the mid-1st century CE, Christianity had gained popularity, leading to the formation of house churches.
- The 1st and oldest Christian church on record was built in Dura-Europos, modern-day Syria, before the mid-3rd century CE.
- By the 2nd century CE, Christianity had formed church structures and hierarchies, and by the 3rd century CE, it accounted for about 2% of the Roman Empire's population.
- In 313 CE, Constantine the Great made Christianity legal, and in 380 CE, it was deemed the official religion of Rome.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the life of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, from his birth in Bethlehem to his teachings and radical ideas.
