1) How did Jews react to roman rule?
During the 900's BCE, two great kings formed the kingdom of Israel. King david and solomon united the Israelites to form this kingdom. But was divided into Israel and Judah, and later got taken over by powerful neighbors. The people of Israel was scattered, but the people of Judah survived. In 63 BCE romans took over judah and was ruled by jewish kings. In 6 AD Emperor Augustus changed Judah into a Roman province called Judea.
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2) Were Jewish Rebels Successful?
The jewish people believe they should fight the romans to take back control of their kingdom. The people called Zealots convince jews to take up arms and fight in 66 AD. The rebellion was crushed by the romans which mean a temple was lost and thousands of jews killed. The jewish general Josephus, who fought in the war, sided with the romans. He wrote books and stories about the History of the Jewish war which is about the fall of Jerusalem. Again the jews rebelled in 132 AD and was defeated again. In punishment the romans forced the jews to leave Jerusalem and BANNED from returning. This is called the Diaspora or the scattering of the jews. The jews were saddened by the loss of their kingdom and having the find home elsewhere. By the 700's Jews have set up communities as far as west in Spain and east in Asia. In later years jews also scattered throughout europe and the Americans. Although they lost their kingdom they kept their faith by studying and following their religious law.
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3) What happened during the Life of Jesus?
In the jews time of need they hoped that god would send a Messiah or messenger to win back their freedom. It was predicted that the Messiah would be a great king like david and restore the glory of Israelite. A few decades a baby boy named jesus was born on december 25 born in a stable, also visited by three kings. As time gone Jesus left home in Nazareth and started preaching. Between 30 to 33 AD Jesus traveled to Judea and Galilee which is north of Judea preaching his ideas. And soon assembled 12 Disciples. He was killed by the romans and crucified.
4) What did Jesus Teach?
According the bible Jesus preached about that God was coming the rule the world. He say that people should turn from their sins. He preached that having a relationship with God (Father) is more important than following Jewish Religious laws. Jesus gave messages to people thought sayings known as Sermon on the Mountains. He also made it clear that people had to Love and forgive from the heart and not just go through motions of religious laws. One of Jesus sayings are "Blessed are the Merciful, for they will obtain Mercy" and "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Children of God" . Jesus also told his followers to Love and Forgive each other because God Loves and forgive people. God's command is fairly simple. The messages Jesus were trying to teach people is to "Love the Lord your God with all your Heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your Strength." And "Love your Neighbor as yourself." His messages of love and peace shaped people in Europe and America. Jesus also told parables with a Spiritual Idea. Some story include one about of Prodigal the wasteful son, and a shepherd leaving his sheep behind in search of ONE lost sheep. Both stories shows that God forgives mistakes and people to turn back their sins to be SAVE. On well known parable is about the Good Samaritan. In this story a man was beaten (mugged) by robbers, and afterward 2 priest refused to help this injured man. BUT a Samaritan (someone who look down Jesus Listeners) helped this man by tending to his wounds and giving him money to sat at an inn. Jesus ask his followers "Which man do you think truly showed loves to his neighbor?"
5) What was the Crucifixion?
Believers of jesus spread word that the Messiah has come and that he can do miracles such as heal the blind and walk on water. Some jews believed this, but others believe he was a Deceiver. Either way Judea's kings feared him, that he is a threat against law and order. In 33 AD Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate an important jewish holiday, Passover. When entering Jerusalem he was greeted by large, crowds. Afterwards Jesus and disciples had the Last Supper. Leaders of Jerusalem arrested Jesus charged for Treason and as punishment he was going to be Crucified on a cross. This was punishment for rebels and lower class. Jesus had to carry the cross on his back for miles supervised by a guard. He fell 3 times and died on the cross. After his death followers claim that Jesus has risen from the dead. The first person to see him was a woman called Mary Magdalene a follower of Jesus. People now see the Resurrection of Jesus christ and now people believe that he is the Messiah.
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6) Who were Peter and Paul?
The 12 Disciples spreaded Jesus Ideas to cities as far as Eastern Mediterranean and jews and non-jews believed these ideas. They named Jesus, Jesus Christ from the word Christos meaning "Messiah" in Greek, and create Christianity. Christians made Churches and people held gatherings to pray and study the Hebrew Bible. People shared a ritual meal called the last supper to remember Jesus Death and Resurrection.
Early leaders were called Apostles who help set up churches and spread Jesus Ideas. Two important Apostles Peter and Paul help play an important role. Simon Peter was a fishermen and on of Jesus Disciple to preach his ideas. Stories go that he set up churches in rome after Jesus's Death and Peter was the first Pope. Now Paul was a well educated jew and a Roman Citizen who hated Christianity. A jewish priest sent Paul to Damascus to stop Christianity. But on the way there he had a vision of god and became christian on the spot. He spent his life preaching Jesus' message and traveled widely spreading the message of God. He would travel freely throughout rome founding churches. |
7) What do Christians Believe?
In the beginning of christianity, christians taught that Jesus was the son of god and would save people. Accepting Him you would gain salvation and allowed to go to heaven. They would be resurrected to join God in an everlasting life. Christians understand God in a new way because of their faith in Jesus. Christians are similar to jews, they believed in the god of israel and studied the Hebrew Bible. But most christians believe that God exist in 1 person: "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" . This know as a trinity meaning three.