Religion that influenced Rome: Christianity

The Religion that Changed the Roman Empire: Christianity

By: Kaylyn Park

Chapter 1. The Belief of Christians

The General Beliefs

Christians believe that Jesus was the centre figure of Christianity. According to Newsela, Jesus was Jewish and when Christianity entered Rome, Romans said Christians still should worship the Roman gods, however, the Christians believed that they should worship Yahweh. In addition, some group of disciples believed that the end of the Roman world will be brought up by the Messiah, and some believed that the Messiah was Jesus. Lastly, they stated there is another life after the death.

Christians praying and worshipping

Property, Wealth, and Religions & Government

The Christians had general beliefs in property, wealth, and religions with governments. Another example from the Roman and Christians Worksheet was that they believed that the worldly riches should share or give up their property to the poor. Moreover, for the government, they believed that government should be separated from religions. For example from the Christianity Fact Sheet, all Christians confirm the importance of life and lessons of Jesus, but most tradition emphasises the death of Jesus.

Chapter 2. How do Christians Practice Christianity?

Birth of Jesus

Worships

The Christians are the people who practice and believe in Christianity. According to Newsela, Jesus began to teach in Jewish tradition and preached love/tolerance, after the Romans refused Christianity. In addition, they believed by performing the miracles of giving treatments to sickness, raising death, walking on water, etc. Another research site is from the Christianity Fact Sheet, and it quoted that many Christians celebrate their faith all together by joint worship and at communion services (called the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper). Moreover, they worship in places like churches (the most common), cathedral, chapel, Meeting House, Gospel Hall, etc.

The Catholic Church

Church and Festivals

In many churches, the most important part is the communion table that emphasises the importance of the communion in worship. In art categories, some Christians use singing traditions and ancient hymns. Festivals are also held for the beliefs of Christianity; Pentecost – remembering the period when the first Christians received the Holy Spirit, Harvest – celebrating the Creation for the sharing of food, Palm Sunday – marking the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. For studying scripture, people used Bibles to form the worships and many Christian hymns are based on the Bibles.

Chapter 3. How did Christianity spread in the Roman Empire?

Spread of Christianity

Christianity has had a long history to let the world know more about the religion "Christianity". According to Newsela (Birth of Christianity), between 30 and 33 C.E., Jesus went to spread his words and lessons to the city of Jerusalem. On the year of Jesus’s death, the Romans treated the Christians as a small Jewish group. However, this changed from the influences of 'Paul of Tarsus.' Paul spread Christian ideas to non-Jews and many poor people in the area was centred with the idea of love/tolerance and the life after death.

Constantine's Accomplishment

After about 400 years, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. In addition to the Rome and Christians Worksheet, Constantine promoted Christianity throughout his reign and he ordered to allow Romans the freedom to follow any religion they wanted to in 313 A.D. Moreover, according to the MAD Textbook, Constantine contributed humungous amounts of money to restore the churches that had been damaged earlier. Also, he held meetings with church leaders to settle arguments among Christian leaders. People were attracted to Christianity because of its message of salvation could join the church without fear. Lastly, according to the Christianity Fact Sheet, the Ecumenical Movement in the early 20th century encouraged Christians to work together and seek unity.

Chapter 4. How did Christianity change the Roman Empire? Why would an emperor use a belief to help them govern?

Example of the Emperor, Constantine

People's Reactions to Christianity

Constantine was the emperor that has accepted Christianity as a religion in Rome. After he officially allowed the freedom of religion, Christianity began to spread around Rome and externally, too. According to the MAD Textbook, Constantine wasn’t Christian from the start, however, he saw a vision of a cross of with the sun behind it, before the battle, therefore, the vision made him believe that they will win if they met the sign of Christ. This event was the start of the whole Christianity within Constantine. One of the reasons why Constantine chose Christianity was because it educated the people that had jobs in the government, and it led to beliefs in faith and worships. Therefore, Constantine has been a very good example of why an emperor would use Christianity to support his country or government.

According to the Rome and Christians Fact Sheet, after Christianity was promoted or entered Rome, the laws and orders of the religions have changed in ancient Rome. In addition, pagan religion (religion where people weren't Christians or Jews) was outlawed during Theodosius's reign in Rome. The religious belief in Rome ha changed a lot. Before, they forced to the Christians to worship the Roman gods and that rich and poor should have different opportunities given. In addition, they believed that they shouldn't allow to change the religious beliefs of people. However, after Christianity was central to many people, the laws of religions and how people think, have changed a lot compared from before.

Constantine

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/christianity/v/paul-apostles-christianity -> Video of the Spread of Christianity

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/ancient-medieval/christianity/v/roman-empire-and-christianity -> Video of the Roman Empire with Christianity