Christianity begins with Jesus Christ, a Jewish teacher and preacher in Roman-occupied Judea.
Jesus preached about:
The Kingdom of God
Repentance and Salvation
Love, Grace, and Forgiveness
Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate
We, Christians believed He rose from the dead (The Resurrection), which became the foundation of our Christianity.
THE APOSTLES
After Jesus:
Leaders like Peter and Paul spread the message.
Christianity started as a Jewish movement, but Paul helped bring it to Gentiles (Non-Jews).
Christianity spreads across cities like Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome
House churches form (small, intimate gatherings)
Key Development:
Writings that become the New Testaent begin circulating (letters, gospels)
The result: Small but fast-growing communities across the Roman Empire.
Christianity is still illegal, small, spirit-led and relational
After the apostles died, leaders know as Church Fathers helped shape doctrine
Ignatius of Antioch
Irenaeus
Tertullian
What they did:
Defended Christianity against critics
Fought false teachings (heresies like Gnosticism)
Helped define beliefs about Jesus and salvation.
The church beomes more structured, bishops oversees regions and clear teaching authority develops.
Christianity faces empire-wide persecution under Decius and under Diocletian (most severe)
Christian were:
Imprisoned
Executed
Forced to renounced faith
Christians were often persecuted by Roman authorities because they:
Refused to worship Roman gods or the emperor.
were seen as socially disruptive.
Major persecutions occured under emperors like Nero and Diocletian
Despite this:
Martyrdom inspired more conversions
Faith spread even faster
Christianity spread through cities, trade routes, and personal testimonies.
Early church structure developed (bishops, elders, deacons).
A massive turning point with Constantine the Great
Constantine:
Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity in 313 AD through the Edict of Milan.
Christianity went from persecuted to accepted to eventually dominant.
Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
Leaders met at the Council of Nicaea
Established core beliefs (like the Trinity and divinity of Christ)
Produced the Nicene Creed
Major Councils:
Council of Nicaea
Council of Constantinople
They clarified Jesus is fully God and fully man and the Trinity
THE BIBLE CANON:
The New Testament books were recognized over time and widely agreed upon the late 300s.
Recognize under leaders like Athanasius of Alexandria
The New Testament is essentialy finalized.
The result: Christianity becomes tied to political power and empire.
Also known as the Dark Ages:
Less written history (compared to Rome)
Economic decline in parts of Europe
Political instability and frequent invasions.
After the fall of Roman (476 AD), the Church became the most powerful institution in Europe, became the center of stability, and the Bishop of Rome (Pope) gains authority.
Roman Catholic Church
Led by the Pope in Rome
Influenced kings, laws, education, and daily life
Augustine of Hippo shaped the teachings on sin, grace, and salvation.
Key Developments:
Monasteries preserved learning
Missionaries spread Christianity across Europe
Events like the Crusade (1095-1291)
Inquisition
THE CRUSADES:
were the series of military campaigns (1095-1291) mainly between Western European Christians and Muslim powers over control of the Holy Land (especially Jerusalem).
Multiple crusades that lasted about 200 years, the goal is to take back Jerusalem and other holy sites important to Christians.
Jerusalem was under Muslim control at that time.
Christian pilgrim sometimes faced danger travelling there.
Mass killings of Muslims and even some Jews, violence that clearly contradicted Jesus' teachings of love and mercy, it was brutal.
The Crusades are often done in the name of Christianity but often not in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Monastic Movements:
Monks preserve Scripture and learning
Missionaries evangelize Europe
Deep devotion existed but also corruption and abuse of power.
This era included both deep faith and corruption (power struggles, misuse of authority)
This period is complex - faith mixed with power
Christinity divides into two major branches:
Roman Catholic Church (West)
Eastern Orthodox Church (East)
This is called the Great Schism
Reasons:
Authority of the Pope
Cultural and language differences
Theological disagreements
Corruption and abuse in the Church triggered the Reformation. Another major turning point.
Main figure:
Martin Luther (1517)
John Calvin
Huldrych Zwigli
MARTIN LUTHER
Martin Luther challenged Church corruption in 1517.
Key issue: Salvation by faith, not by works or church systems.
Result:
Birth of Protestantism
Bible translated into common languages
Emphasis on personal faith
New denominations formed (Lutheran, Calvinist, etc)
Catholic Church responded with reform.
Christianity becomes diverse and divided.
Through exploration and colonization Christianity spread to Africa, Asia, and America. Catholic missionaries (Jesuits, etc) and Protestant missions later expand globally.
Missionaries played a hug role but sometimes the faith spread alongside colonial power (not always positive)
Spiritual renewal movements:
First Great Awakening:
Jonathan Edwards
George Whitefield
Second Great Awakening
Emotional preaching
Mass conversions
They focused on personal relationship with God, repentance and revival.
Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world.
Azusa Street Revival
Holy Spirit power
Spiritual gifts (healing, tongues)
One of the fastest-growing forms of Christianity worldwide
Major Branches:
Catholic
Orthodox
Protestant (thousands of denominations)
Evangelical / Pentecostal (fast-growing globally)
Rapid growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, decline in parts of Europe, and rise of non-denominational churches.
Global picture with 2+ billion Christians worldwide, rapid growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, decline in parts of Europe, and rise of non-denominational churches, digital/online ministry, and house church movements returning.
Christianity history has
Powerful Good:
Charity, hospitals, education
Movements for justice and abolition
Personal transformation and faith
Real Failures:
Wars and violence
Political corruption
Division and hypocrisy
Despite all the changes, most Christians still center on:
Jesus as the Son of God
Salvation through Him
The Bible as sacred Scripture
Love, grace, and redemption
Love God and love people
Repent and be transformed
Serve others, don't control them
Salvation is by grace, not works
God's Kingdom is spiritual, not political
Real Christianity is about following Jesus Christ, living out His teachings, and having a transformed heart.
Christianity is about who Jesus is and what He did and whether someone chooses to follow Him