The Rise of Christianity in The Roman Empire
The birth of Christ led to the conversion of The Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine. Christ’s early life, his persecution, the persecution of Christians, the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire are topics that will be discussed. Also, how and why Emperor Constantine converted all of Rome to Christianity.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Jesus was in danger for his life because King Herod felt threatened by this new Messiah and would later be out to kill him even though Jesus was just a small child. King Herod the Great was the ruler of Israel at that time, though he was not a real king. King Herod had been given his position by the Romans to rule …show more content…
An angel warned Joseph about Herod's plans to kill all the young children of Bethlehem. So Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt with Jesus and they lived there until Herod died. After the death of King Herod, Joseph, Mary and, Jesus returned to Israel. Joseph was scared to return to Bethlehem because the town is near Jerusalem, where Herod’s son, Herod Archelaus, was now reigning as king. So he took his family to the northern parts of Galilee. They settled in a small town called Nazareth. This town became the hometown of Jesus, where He grew up and became an adult.When Jesus was approximately 30 years old He began His ministry. He preached and performed miracles for three-and-a-half years until He was crucified by the …show more content…
One of the most common ways was to force a Christian to swear allegiance to the emperor and offer incense to his images, or to sacrifice to the gods (Lunn-Rockliffe). If he or she refused, they would be killed on the spot. Here are four ways, specifically used by Nero, the Christians were tortured: “Firstly, that they dressed them in the skins of tame and wild beasts, that they might be torn to pieces by dogs or other wild animals.Secondly, that they, according to the example of their Saviour, were fastened alive on crosses, and that in many different ways. Thirdly, that the innocent Christians were burned and smoked by the Romans, with torches. Fourthly, that these miserable, accused Christian martyrs were used as candles, torches, or lanterns, to see by them at night. Of those who were burned, some were tied or nailed to stakes, and held still by a hook driven through the throat, so that they could not move the head when the pitch, wax, tallow, and other inflammable substances were poured boiling over their heads, and set on fire, so that all the unctuous matter of the human body flowing down made long, wide furrows in the sand of the theatre.”(van Braght
The birth of Christ led to the conversion of The Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine. Christ’s early life, his persecution, the persecution of Christians, the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire are topics that will be discussed. Also, how and why Emperor Constantine converted all of Rome to Christianity.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Jesus was in danger for his life because King Herod felt threatened by this new Messiah and would later be out to kill him even though Jesus was just a small child. King Herod the Great was the ruler of Israel at that time, though he was not a real king. King Herod had been given his position by the Romans to rule …show more content…
An angel warned Joseph about Herod's plans to kill all the young children of Bethlehem. So Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt with Jesus and they lived there until Herod died. After the death of King Herod, Joseph, Mary and, Jesus returned to Israel. Joseph was scared to return to Bethlehem because the town is near Jerusalem, where Herod’s son, Herod Archelaus, was now reigning as king. So he took his family to the northern parts of Galilee. They settled in a small town called Nazareth. This town became the hometown of Jesus, where He grew up and became an adult.When Jesus was approximately 30 years old He began His ministry. He preached and performed miracles for three-and-a-half years until He was crucified by the …show more content…
One of the most common ways was to force a Christian to swear allegiance to the emperor and offer incense to his images, or to sacrifice to the gods (Lunn-Rockliffe). If he or she refused, they would be killed on the spot. Here are four ways, specifically used by Nero, the Christians were tortured: “Firstly, that they dressed them in the skins of tame and wild beasts, that they might be torn to pieces by dogs or other wild animals.Secondly, that they, according to the example of their Saviour, were fastened alive on crosses, and that in many different ways. Thirdly, that the innocent Christians were burned and smoked by the Romans, with torches. Fourthly, that these miserable, accused Christian martyrs were used as candles, torches, or lanterns, to see by them at night. Of those who were burned, some were tied or nailed to stakes, and held still by a hook driven through the throat, so that they could not move the head when the pitch, wax, tallow, and other inflammable substances were poured boiling over their heads, and set on fire, so that all the unctuous matter of the human body flowing down made long, wide furrows in the sand of the theatre.”(van Braght