christianity
How did Jews react to Roman Rule?
In 63 BC, the Romans took over Judah. At first they ruled through Jewish kings then in 6 AD, emperor Augustus turned Judah into a Roman province called Judea. Romans used a procurator to rule over the province. The Jews argued amongst themselves on what to do. Some favored working with the Romans while others opposed Roman rule by following Jewish traditions while others turned their backs on Rome and settled in isolated areas.
Were Jewish rebels successful?
People called Zealots wanted to fight back against Rome and convinced many Jews to take up arms in 66 AD. The rebellion failed miserably and Romans destroyed their temple and killed thousands of Jews. A Jewish general named Josephus fought in the war but later sided with Rome wrote about the horrors of the fall of Jerusalem. The Jews rebelled again in 132 AD and were again defeated. Now Rome forced all Jews to leave Jerusalem and banned them from ever returning to the city which was called the Diaspora, or scattering of Jews. By 700 jews had set up communities as far west as Spain and as far east as central Asia, they also settled throughout Europe and the Americas.
What happened during the life of Jesus?
During Roman times many Jews hoped that god would send a messiah to help win back their freedom. The Israelite prophets many years before had predicted a messiah would come. Many Jews expected the messiah to be a great king, like David. A few decades before the Jewish revolt a Jew named Jesus left his home in Nazareth and began preaching. He soon assembled a small group of 12 called disciples.
What did Jesus teach?
According to the Christian bible, Jesus preached that god was coming to rule the World. He taught people to turn from their sins and to have a close relationship with god is more important then following Jewish laws. The main point of Jesus' message is given in a group of sayings known as the sermon on the Mount. His sayings taught to love and forgive from the heart and not go through the motions of following religious laws.
What was the Crucifixion?
Jesus's message drew strong responses from people and he gained followers.They said that he was the messiah they had been waiting on. The Roman leaders in Jerusalem feared that a man with jesus and such a strong voice would threaten law. Around 33 AD Jesus rode to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish holiday called Passover. He was greeted by a large crowd. In a event known as the last supper Jesus celebrated the holiday with his disciples. Leaders in Jerusalem then arrested Jesus in fear. They charged him with treason and he was crucified. After he was crucified he rose from the dead and his empty tomb proved it. This started the new religion called Christianity.
Who were Peter and Paul?
Apostles, or early christian leaders helped spread Jesus's word after he died. They set up churches all over Rome and Europe. Small groups of Greek speaking cities east of the Mediterranean sea. Some were jews but not all of them. Perhaps the 2 most important apostles were Peter and Paul. Simon Peter was a Jewish fisherman who had known Jesus while he was alive. He was one of the first original 12 disciples. He went to Rome after the death of Jesus and helped set up a church. This would be the first church and the most popular the Catholic church. Paul was a Jew who killed Christians. He was on his donkey on his way to go kill Christians and he saw a light and it was god. He told him to tell people about what he saw and he converted t0 Christianity.
What do Christians believe?
Christians believe that Jesus was the son of god and that if you are saved that you will go to heaven. We believe to love one another as yourself and to not hate. And when you do sin to ask god for forgiveness of your sin and he will forgive you of your sin.