Transcript Bell Ringer - Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School

Number a sheet of 3-holed
paper 1-10
•Name
•Class period
•Class motto
•Answer each question in one
complete sentence.
1. The Jews lived in a country called Judea. What
did the Romans change the name to?
2. Name the group of Jews who believed they
should fight Rome for their freedom.
3. Jesus grew up in what town?
4. Jesus taught using stories that taught lessons.
What were these stories called?
5. How did the Jewish leaders and Roman officials
feel about Jesus and his influence?
6. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus and his
disciples observed the Passover holiday with a
meal that is now known as what?
7. How was Jesus executed?
8. Who started the church in Rome?
9. Whose letters became more than half of the
New Testament?
10. How do Christians believe people can gain
salvation from sin and Hell?
Chapter 4, Lesson 2
The Early Church
It Matters Because…
The Roman Empire’s system of roads, shared
languages, and stability made it easier for
Christianity to spread.
Christianity and Roman Empire
• Factors that lead to the spread of Christianity in the Roman
Empire:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pax Romana made travel throughout the Empire relatively safe
Christians could travel easily due to Roman roads
Most people in the Roman Empire spoke either Latin or Greek
Message of Christianity was message of hope, love, and
acceptance
5. Communities of Christians cared for one another and provided
for each others’ needs
Why did Romans Persecute Christians?
• Christians viewed as dangerous because:
1. refused to worship the Emperor
2. refused to participate in festivals for Roman gods
3. refused to serve in military because they opposed
violence
4. people believed they were mystical and
responsible for many natural disasters, including a
fire that destroyed much of Rome in A.D. 64
Emperor Nero outlawed Christianity
Bell Ringer
Many early Christians were martyrs;
they were murdered, arrested, or
beaten for what they believed. Would
you be willing to be a martyr for
anything you believe? Why or why not?
Answer in at least 3 complete sentences.
Mistreatment and Martyrdom
•Christians often mistreated
• They were arrested and beaten
• Many were martyred – killed for their beliefs
• In spite of mistreatment, Christianity spread
throughout Empire quickly
• message of hope for all people
• acceptance of all classes of people
• supportive communities
The Empire Accepts Christianity
• In early 300s, Diocletian attempts last great persecution of
Christianity
• Constantine, in 312, accepted Christianity after a dream on the eve of
battle
• Had a vision of a flaming cross with the words “In this sign you will conquer”
• Constantine’s men painted the cross on their shields and won the battle
• Constantine believed Christian God had awarded him victory
• Constantine accepts Christianity and legalizes it across the Empire
Constantine and
Christianity in the Empire
• Edict of Milan, A.D. 313 allowed all religions, including Christianity, to
practice
• Gave government aid to Christians
• With his mother, Helena, built Christian churches in Rome and
Jerusalem
• Allowed Christians to serve in government
• Excused Christians from paying taxes
• In 392, Theodosius made Christianity official religion of the Empire
Bell Ringer
Christians were persecuted in the early days of the
church, but grew quickly in spite of these dangers.
Name 3 factors (in 3 separate complete sentences) that
led to the growth of the church during this time.
Organizing the Church
• The early church was spread out across the Empire
• Each independent community began to practice Christianity
differently
• Early Christian leaders tried to make their beliefs clear by writing
them down
Church Leadership
• Early church structure was a hierarchy, based on makeup of the Roman
Empire
• Hierarchy – organization with different levels of authority
• Clergy – church officials who were leaders of the church
• Laity – regular church members who served needs of church and
community
• Bishops – led groups of churches called diocese
• Archbishop – led regions of diocese
• Patriarch – title given to archbishops of Rome, Constantinople,
Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
• Beliefs and traditions the church accepted became known as doctrine
What Writings Shaped Christianity?
• Jesus did not write his teachings down, but a few of his disciples did
• Four accounts of Jesus’ life were accepted – known as the Gospels
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
• Gospels added to many letters of Paul and other apostles to make New
Testament
• New Testament added to Jewish scriptures (known as Old Testament) to make
up Christian Bible
The Bishop of Rome
• As church grew, Bishop of Rome claimed authority over other
church leaders
• Claimed authority through disciple Peter, who founded the church
in Rome
• Diocese in Rome, capital of the Empire
• By 600, Bishop of Rome became known as the Pope
• From Latin word meaning “Father”
• Churches in the Western Empire accepted the Pope as the head of the
church
• Eastern Empire churches refused to recognize authority of Bishop of Rome
Roman Catholic vs. Orthodox Churches
Western
• Western Roman Empire
• Latin-speaking
• Roman Catholic Church
• Accepted Pope as church
authority
Eastern
• Byzantine Empire
• Greek-speaking
• Eastern Orthodox Church
• Rejected Pope as church
authority