Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DO NOW: Persecution to cause suffering based on ones beliefs. Where have we seen persecutions before?
*NOTES* THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY / CHRISTIAN BELIEFS 1.Jesus Christ- believed to be the messiah (savior) promised by GOD in the Old Testament -born a Jew and Roman subject in Bethlehem (presentday Israel) -Freed believers from sin and offered resurrection in the afterlife (Resurrection: rise from the dead and enter Heaven) -Age 30, Jesus taught, did good works and performed miracles -Crucified by Jews and Romans at age 33 -Rose from the dead after 3 days
Document 1 Our Roman gods demand sacrifices from their subjects. Without their blessings, the Roman Empire is doomed. Yet those who follow the teachings of Christ refuse to make sacrifices to the gods, claiming that their God is the only true god. What nonsense!!! Those silly people and their silly ideas. They should get on their knees and worship the ground that Jupiter and Minerva have create. - Maximus, Roman Governor
According to document 1, why did the Roman government view Christians as a threat to the Empire?
Document 2 The teachings of Christ tells us that Thou shall not kill and that Those who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword. Therefore we shall not join the Roman legions and kill strangers in a strange land. And if the Emperor decides that we must be executed for upholding our beliefs, we gladly become martyrs. - Paulus, Roman Christian
Document 3 How dare they refuse to honor me!?! All good Romans must burn incense before my statues and honor me as a god. Yet these Christians refuse to do so. Well, if I have to feed every last one of them to the lions, I will. If I have to sew them into the skins of wild animals and have packs of dogs rip them to shreds, I will. If I must crucify every last one of them, I will. Sooner or later, they will acknowledge me as their superior ruler. - Nero, Roman Emperor
According to document 3, how could Christians in the Roman Empire have avoided a painful execution?
Christianity Spreads
All of Jesus followers spread his ideas. Teachings did not contradict Jewish law; his first followers were Jews. A new religion is born based on the teachings of Jesus.