History- Christianity

Forgiveness

to stop feeling angry/resentful about something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury

Who was Jesus?

a Jewish man who lived in Nazareth whose beliefs became a threat to Roman leaders - He was born in Judea circa 6 B.C. and worked as a carpenter.

Bishop

a high-ranking Christian official who supervises a number of local churches

Apostle

a strong and pioneering supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause (from the Greek work for messenger); Jesus had 12 apostles

Hierarchy

any system of people or things ranked one above another

Diocletian

became emperor in A.D. 284; a strong leader who doubled the size of the army and set fixed prices for goods; divided the empire into the Greek-speaking East and the Latin speaking West

True or False: The emperor Theodosius built Christian churches in Rome.

false - The emperor Constantine built churches in Rome.

What were the basic beliefs of early Christians?

1. Christians refused to recognize the emperor as a god. 2. Those who ask for God's forgiveness will be forgiven and allowed to enter the Christian version of heaven. 3. Christians believed that Jesus was the promised messiah and the actual son of God. 4. Charity and love toward all are the most important things.

What are 3 factors about Paul who was one of the most important leaders of the early Christian Church?

1. Paul was a well-educated Jew and Roman citizen. 2. He had a vision in which Jesus was revealed to him as the son of God. 3. Paul was frequently arrested for spreading Jesus' teachings.

What are some of the factors that helped Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire?

1. The 50,000 miles of Roman road provided safe travel all around the Roman Empire. 2. The Romans didn't realize Christianity was different from Judaism at first. 3. The poor liked the way Christian communities shared (wealth, hospitals, schools). 4. Many people were attracted by Christianity's rejection of Rome's focus on wealth and image. 5. Women and slaves liked Christianity because it treated them more like equals than other religions did.

In one parable, Jesus told of a Samaritan man who helped an injured traveler. What is a parable?

A parable is a short story that teaches a principle about what good behavior is.

What is the main source of early information about the life of Jesus?

C. Gospels written in Greek by his followers

Why did the Romans treat Christians so badly?

Christians refused to worship the Roman Emperor as a god. Emperor Nero used Christians as a scapegoat for a great fire that swept through Rome.

True or False: The Edict of Milan gave all religious groups, including Christians, freedom to practice their religions.

True

Name the MAIN writings that shaped Christianity? What was each account called, and what does it mean?

1. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) of the New Testament presented the history, teachings, and beliefs of Christianity. 2. Paul's epistles (letters) - explained Jesus' teachings by answering specific questions about Christianity

What might have prevented Christianity from spreading to more places during its first three centuries?

Because Christianity was so diffuse, and also illegal and therefore kept underground, it is hard to speak of a united "Christianity" in this period

True or False: The emperor Diocletian made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

False - The emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire in two: The Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire.

True or False: When Constantine became emperor, he did everything in his power to destroy Christianity.

False - When Constantine became emperor, he put an end to Christian persecution.

What is the main idea expressed in the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

Good can be found everywhere/anywhere. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Generalizations/stereotypes about people are not always correct.

Life Changing Experience of Constantine

He prayed for help on the eve of a battle for control of the Roman Empire. His prayers were answered with a vision of the Christian cross.

Which answer BEST describes the statement by Matthew: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

It is a Beatitude or saying to help guide people.

What were the teachings of Jesus?

Love of God and charity to all is more important than following religious law. If you ask God for forgiveness, you can go to the Christian version of heaven when you die. Live simply and peacefully, share, help the less fortunate.

Life Changing Experience of Paul

Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus, and it was revealed to him that Jesus was the actual son of God.

Who was Peter?

Peter, whose original name was Simon, was a Jewish fisherman who was called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. He was the leader of the 12 disciples of Jesus. Peter became to be the first bishop (pope) of the Roman Catholic church.

How did the Mediterranean Sea make it easier for Christianity to spread?

Rome was located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, so Romans could easily reach many areas by ship.

What important position did Peter have in the Roman Catholic church?

Simon Peter was the 1st Pope in the Roman Catholic Church

In the 100 years after the death of Jesus, Christianity began to spread throughout the Roman Empire. Why was that possible?

The 50,000 mile of Roman roads allowed people to safely travel across the vast empire, which meant that people, such as Paul, who were trying to spread Christianity could move safely over great distances.

What steps did the Apostles and other Christians take to spread their faith?

The apostles traveled to other countries to spread Christianity. The apostle Paul wrote letters (epistles) answering questions about Jesus' teachings.

Martyr

someone who is killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs and is admired and respected by people who share those beliefs.

Ressurection

the act of restoring a dead person to life; in Christian belief, the action of Christ rising from the dead

Salvation

the belief of Christians that by having faith in Christ, they will be saved from the consequences of sin

Pope

the head of the Roman Catholic church; also known as "the Bishop of Rome"