THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY

1ST

• In a town named Nazareth, an angel appears to Mary and tells her that she will have a child named Jesus.

2ND

• Little is known about Jesus' childhood, but when he was 12, he shocked the rabbis with his knowledge
• of Jewish law.

3RD

• Jesus is identified as the savior of the Jews by John the Baptist
• while baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River.

4TH

• Jesus began teaching to people.
• His popularity spread
• More and more people, came to see his teachings, healings, and service to others

5TH

• Some became upset with Jesus because he taught more about mercy and love than the traditional Jewish teaching
• of obedience.
• Others feared that his followers would stir up trouble with the Romans.

6TH

• Out of fear of Jesus beginning a revolt against the Romans, Roman rulers decided to kill Jesus

7TH

• According to the gospels, Jesus rose from the dead.
• This was important to his followers because it was proof that he was the son of God.

8TH

• Saul stopped persecuting Christians and became a missionary because he believed he had heard the voice
• of Jesus.

9TH

• Saul... Now Paul helped spread Christianity by traveling through the empire preaching.
• In jail, he wrote letters to Christians.

10TH

• By 60 C.E. Christianity was declared illegal.
• Christians refused to worship Roman gods, preferred simplicity, and refused to serve in the army.

11TH

• Rome's persecutions helped Christianity spread because people admired the bravery of the
• Christians who faced death.
• Christianity offered hope to the poor and slaves and offered a sense of purpose

12TH

• By 313 C.E. Emperor Constantine gave Christians religious freedom.
• By 395 C.E. Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire.