The Beginnings of Christianity
Christianity was one of the many religions in the vast Roman Empire. The empire contained many lands with different languages, customs and religions. The Romans were tolerant toward the people in these lands. They allowed them to follow their own religions. But the conquered people had to show loyalty to Roman gods and to the emperor.
The Romans conquered the Jewish homeland of Judea in 63 BCE and many Jews resented Roman rule. Some believed that a messiah or savior would come to bring justice and freedom to the land. As opposition to Roman rule grew, the Romans struck back with harsh punishments. It was during this time that a man named Jesus was born in the Judean town of Bethlehem.
Most of what we know about Jesus’ life is found in the Gospels. The Gospels are accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings and were written by Jesus’ disciples between 40 and 70 years after his death.
We know little of Jesus’ childhood and youth except that he grew up in Nazareth. He learned to be a carpenter and began teaching when he was about 30 years old. For three years, Jesus traveled from place to place, preaching to Jews who lived in the countryside. Much of what he taught was part of the Jewish tradition which he had been born. Like all Jewish teachers, he preached that there was only one true God.
According to the Gospels, Jesus taught that God was loving and forgiving. He said that a person had the responsibility to “love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus also said he was the Son of God and the Messiah. He promised that people who believed in him and followed his teachings would have everlasting life.
Jesus’ teachings alarmed many people. The Romans feared that he would lead an armed revolt against the government. So the Roman governor condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion. But according to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead and spoke to the disciples, telling them to spread his teachings.
Christianity Spreads
The Greek word for messiah was Christos. Many educated people of during Jesus’ time spoke Greek. As these people accepted Jesus’ teachings they began calling him Christ. After his death, his followers, now called Christians, spread the new religion from Jerusalem all the way to Rome.
One of Jesus’ most devoted followers was a Jew named Paul. According to the Gospels, Paul at first rejected the Christian message. But one day as he was traveling, he had a vision that Jesus spoke to him. After this experience, Paul decided to travel all over the Roman Empire to spread the teachings of Jesus.
The fast growing new religion soon alarmed the Roman government. Christians refused to worship the Roman gods or the emperor. Many Roman officials began to view them as enemies of the empire. Under the emperor Nero, the first persecution of Christians began in the year 64 CE. One night, a fire started in some shops in city of Rome. The fire burned for nine days and left much of the city in ruins.
Nero blamed the Christians. He watched with pleasure as Christians were sent to their deaths. Some were forced to fight wild animals. Others were soaked in oil and burned alive. Others, like the disciple Paul, were crucified.
The Romans tormented Christians off and on for another 250 years but Christianity still spread all over the empire. Its message of hope for a better life after death appealed to many.
To answer the following questions, search the text and underline the answers. Then put the number of the questions next to it.
1. What is the main source of information about the life of Jesus? 1pt
2. What did Jesus do for a living before preaching? 1pt
3. Why was Jesus crucified? 1pt
4. What did Jesus emphasize in his teachings? 1pt
5. Why were Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero? 1pt
6. Why did Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire? (underline 2 reasons) 2pts
Christianity was one of the many religions in the vast Roman Empire. The empire contained many lands with different languages, customs and religions. The Romans were tolerant toward the people in these lands. They allowed them to follow their own religions. But the conquered people had to show loyalty to Roman gods and to the emperor.
The Romans conquered the Jewish homeland of Judea in 63 BCE and many Jews resented Roman rule. Some believed that a messiah or savior would come to bring justice and freedom to the land. As opposition to Roman rule grew, the Romans struck back with harsh punishments. It was during this time that a man named Jesus was born in the Judean town of Bethlehem.
Most of what we know about Jesus’ life is found in the Gospels. The Gospels are accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings and were written by Jesus’ disciples between 40 and 70 years after his death.
We know little of Jesus’ childhood and youth except that he grew up in Nazareth. He learned to be a carpenter and began teaching when he was about 30 years old. For three years, Jesus traveled from place to place, preaching to Jews who lived in the countryside. Much of what he taught was part of the Jewish tradition which he had been born. Like all Jewish teachers, he preached that there was only one true God.
According to the Gospels, Jesus taught that God was loving and forgiving. He said that a person had the responsibility to “love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus also said he was the Son of God and the Messiah. He promised that people who believed in him and followed his teachings would have everlasting life.
Jesus’ teachings alarmed many people. The Romans feared that he would lead an armed revolt against the government. So the Roman governor condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion. But according to the Gospels, Jesus rose from the dead and spoke to the disciples, telling them to spread his teachings.
Christianity Spreads
The Greek word for messiah was Christos. Many educated people of during Jesus’ time spoke Greek. As these people accepted Jesus’ teachings they began calling him Christ. After his death, his followers, now called Christians, spread the new religion from Jerusalem all the way to Rome.
One of Jesus’ most devoted followers was a Jew named Paul. According to the Gospels, Paul at first rejected the Christian message. But one day as he was traveling, he had a vision that Jesus spoke to him. After this experience, Paul decided to travel all over the Roman Empire to spread the teachings of Jesus.
The fast growing new religion soon alarmed the Roman government. Christians refused to worship the Roman gods or the emperor. Many Roman officials began to view them as enemies of the empire. Under the emperor Nero, the first persecution of Christians began in the year 64 CE. One night, a fire started in some shops in city of Rome. The fire burned for nine days and left much of the city in ruins.
Nero blamed the Christians. He watched with pleasure as Christians were sent to their deaths. Some were forced to fight wild animals. Others were soaked in oil and burned alive. Others, like the disciple Paul, were crucified.
The Romans tormented Christians off and on for another 250 years but Christianity still spread all over the empire. Its message of hope for a better life after death appealed to many.
To answer the following questions, search the text and underline the answers. Then put the number of the questions next to it.
1. What is the main source of information about the life of Jesus? 1pt
2. What did Jesus do for a living before preaching? 1pt
3. Why was Jesus crucified? 1pt
4. What did Jesus emphasize in his teachings? 1pt
5. Why were Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero? 1pt
6. Why did Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire? (underline 2 reasons) 2pts
Beliefs
About God other spiritual beings admired humans identity of Jesus birth of Jesus death of Jesus resurrection of Jesus second coming of Jesus way of salvation |
Christianity
one God, the God of Abraham angels and demons saints, church fathers Son of God, savior of the world virgin birth death by crucifixion Yes Will happen correct belief, faith, good deeds, sacraments (some Protestants emphasize faith alone) |
Judaism
one God, the God of Abraham angels and demons prophets false prophet normal birth death by crucifixion No No belief in God, good deeds |
Read this chart carefully and answer the questions that follow.
1. List three differences in belief between Christianity and Judaism.
__
2. Find two similarities between Christianity and Judaism.
1. List three differences in belief between Christianity and Judaism.
__
2. Find two similarities between Christianity and Judaism.