The document provides an overview of the rise of Christianity. It discusses how Christianity began as a sect of Judaism, with Jesus and his early followers being Jewish. It then describes how Christianity separated from Judaism and began spreading among non-Jewish populations, particularly due to the missionary efforts of Paul. Finally, it discusses some of the key events and developments in early Christianity, including Roman persecution of Christians, the conversion of Constantine, and the church's eventual dominance in the Roman Empire.
4. A. Introduction: What is the Bible?
1. The Old Testament
2. The New Testament
Jewish Bible (Old Testament)
+ New Testament
Christian Bible
Jewish Bible called the Old Testament by
Christians
Jewish Bible was the Bible for Jesus and
early Christians
5. 1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
B. Judaism was a thorn in the
Roman Empire.
6. 1. The core Jews lived in Palestine.
2. Other Jews were dispersed throughout
the Roman Empire (the Diaspora).
B. Judaism was a thorn in the
Roman Empire.
7. Those pesky Jews . . .
Israel in the eastern
Roman Empire
Israel in the eastern
Roman Empire
8. The Jews lived not only in Palestine, but
elsewhere:
Where the Jews lived
In the Empire
9. Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on the Arch of Titus
10. Ejecting the Jews from Palestine: the diaspora
The record on
the Arch of Titus
11. …Jesus is born in Bethleham.
Adoration of the Magi, by Giorgione (National Gallery, Washington)
12. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
C. Who was Jesus?
13. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
C. Who was Jesus?
14. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ
C. Who was Jesus?
15. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
C. Who was Jesus?
16. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission:
C. Who was Jesus?
17. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
C. Who was Jesus?
18. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
3. His method:
C. Who was Jesus?
19. 1. Who did Jesus say he was?
a. the Son of God
b. the Christ/the Messiah
2. His mission: to bring humans back to God
3. His method: listening to the Father
C. Who was Jesus?
25. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.
26. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.
27. Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and
hears a voice
Michelangelo,
Conversion of
St. Paul
28. Paul on his way to Damascus is blinded and
hears a voice
Carravaggio,
The Conversion
Of Paul
29. E. The early church was founded
by Jesus’ followers.
1. At first all Christians were Jews.
2. Then, Christian leaders included all
people (Paul and the separation from
Judaism).
30. The Church leaders decide the message of
Jesus is for all people, not just Jews.
For 250 years, Christian
missionaries could travel
peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
For 250 years, Christian
missionaries could travel
peacefully throughout the
Empire. Why?
he fullness of time God sent His Son . . .” Paul, in his letter to the Galat
31. Paul helps spread the Good News across the
Roman Empire.
Paul’s first and Second
Missionary Journeys
Paul’s 1st
& 2nd
Missionary Journeys
32. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
33. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and
34. F. In the second century the Church went
through two fundamental changes, rejecting
salvation by grace in favor of salvation by
1. good behavior, and
2. correct knowledge
42. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol
43. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
1.The Roman government sometimes
persecuted Christians.
a. the fish symbol
b. the cross symbol
c. the Chi-Rho symbol
46. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
47. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.
48. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and
powerful.
50. Constantine: legality, the challenge of
wealth, and the challenge to the Pope
Medieval people believed
that this was
Constantine (the only
Roman equestrian
statue to survive from
ancient times).
Actually, it is Marcus Aurelius.
51. …A Converted British Family Sheltering a
Christian Priest from the Druids
painting by
Holman Hunt
52. The double-edged sword: accepting
Constantine’s offer of wealth
The Road
Leading
Downhill
Into Rome,
over which St. Peter’s
Basilica was built so that
the spot believed to be
where Peter was buried
would be under the altar.
65. G. The Christian church overcame
its opponents.
2. the Church Fathers overcame Hellenistic
philosophy.
3. Emperor Constantine made Christianity
the favored religion of the state.
a. Now the church became wealthy and
powerful.
b. The church eventually became a
persecutor of others.