The Rise Of Christianity

 

Generally, Rome allowed its citizens to worship as they pleased. However, Jewish reformers called Zealots wanted independence. When the Jews revolted, the Romans drove them out of their homeland.

 

During these difficult times, a new religion emerged. Its founder was a Jew named Jesus. Jesus was born around 4 B.C. He called himself the son of God and said that he was the messiah, or savior sent by god. He believed in the Jewish Commandments. Jesus also preached new Ideas. He claimed the he was "Chirst," that is, the promised savior who would save humankind from its sins. Many Jews and Romans worried that Jesus was dangerous. Arrested by the Romans, he was tried and executed Roman-style--nailed to a cross and left to die.

 

After Jesus dies, his followers spread his teachings. They became the first Christians. At first, Rome persecuted the Christians. Still Christianity continued to spread. Many people found comfort in the belief that Jesus redeemed them from sin and offered them the possibility of a better life after death. Jesus had welcomed all people, including the poor and the troubled. In A.D. 313, the emperor Constantine ended the persecution of Christians. Some eighty years later, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire.

 

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