History Alive: Chapter 36
Tree of Monotheism
(Main Branches
Introduction:
Essential Questions

When and how did Christianity
originate?
How did Christianity spread
throughout the Roman Empire?
Birthplace of Christianity
Birthplace of Christianity
Judea: Remote territory on eastern
end of Mediterranean Sea
• Once a part of the ancient
kingdom of Israel
• Came under Roman rule
around 63 B.C.E.
• 37 B.C.E. Herod came to a
rule/puppet of the Roman
government
• Herod dies in 4 B.C.E.
Cont…

• Jews hated the Romans and were looking
for a Messiah
• Prefects put in place by Rome
• Council of Jewish leaders dealt with local
affairs, led by a high priest, outwardly
peaceful
• Prophecies in sacred writing for G-d to
send a savior
Birth of Jesus

• Messiah = “annointed one”
• Augustus orders census
• Mary and Joseph travel to
Bethlehem to be counted
• The “Christmas Story”
“The Christmas Story”
The Nativity
Birth of Jesus (Cont…)

• Probably born in 6 B.C.E. during the
reign of King Herod
• Forced to seek shelter in a stable
• Mary gave birth and wrapped him in
strips of cloth laying him in a manger
The Three
Kings
• Very little
known
about Jesus’
childhood
• Likely
studied
carpentry
and lived in
Nazareth
Gospels: New Testament

• Four important writings/account of
Jesus’ life
• Written by his followers (disciples:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
• Statements of faith in Jesus as the
promised “Messiah”
• Greek word for Messiah was “Christos”
or “the Christ”
Gospels: New Testament
(cont…)

• Written down from oral and written
sources
• Written 30 – 70 years after Jesus died
• Tell of events of Jesus’ life: working
miracles, healing the sick, befriending the
poor and friendless
• Preached of God’s mercy and love
• Urged followers to love one another
Teachings:
Parable: a simple
story that explains
a moral or religious
lesson
Jesus’ Teachings

• Ministry consisted of teaching, healing and
service to others
• Preached in synagogues
• As popularity increased, He began preaching
in large, open spaces, towns and by the Sea
of Galilee
• He invited 12 men to become his disciples
John the Baptist
• Jesus is baptized at
the age of 30
• John identifies Jesus
as the Messiah
• Turning point in
Jesus’ life
• 40 days of praying in
the wilderness
• Returned to Galilee
and began preaching
• Based on traditional Jewish beliefs
• Special emphasis placed on:
• Love
• Mercy
“You shall love your God with all your heart and all
your soul.”
“You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God
what belongs to God.”
{Pages 352 – 353 in H.A.}
The Crucifixion

Passover (Jewish festival commemorating Exodus)
•
• Temple and the money-changers
• Judas Iscariot (betrays Jesus)
• The Last Supper (Jesus gathers with his 12
apostles/disciples)
• Pontius Pilate (Roman prefect/sentences Jesus to death
by crucifixion)
Pgs. 354-355 H.A.
The Resurrection
1. What does the Resurrection
of Jesus Christ represent for
Christians?
2. What holiday is celebrated
by Christians to
commemorate the
Resurrection?
3. Why do eggs play a large role
in the celebration of this
holiday?
Early converts to Christianity were Jews.
Missionary Work of Paul:
•One of the most important people in
Christianity
•Born in Tarsus, Turkey
•Devoted his life to spreading the teachings
of Jesus in (missionary) Asia minor, Greece
and Rome
Missionary Work of Paul: (cont.)
•His letters to early churches are in bible
•Romans executed him in 65 C.E.
(approximately)
•After his death, Catholic Church named
him a saint
Aim: How did people relate to Christ’s
message?
Do now:
Christianity Spreads:
•Over time, people, of all classes, begin to
adopt this faith
•Edict of Milan
•313 C.E. Emperor Constantine
•grants Christians freedom of religion
Tree of Monotheism
(Main Branches
Divisions of the Christian Religions