Beginnings of Christianity and Antiquity 337-500 C.E.

§         For a long time among Jews there was a prophecy that a son of David, the Messiah would come and help the people

Jesus of Nazareth (0 B.C.E. - 33 C.E.)

·        Jesus’ message was that the kingdom of heaven would soon come and that man must repent all sins and hold true to the faith

o       “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel.”

·        Man can either repent and be accepted into heaven or he can be thrown from heaven to hell.

·        He preached that God loves all men, and that He wants all men to love each other; love neighbors, love enemies

·        “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

·        Jesus believed in miracles and believe in salvation – if you believe that good things will help you and God will save you then it will happen – “All things are possible to him that believeth.”

·        He thought of himself as a prophet, and near the end of his life he believed that he was the Messiah of the prophecy – once when asked if he was Christ and the King of the Jews he said he was, which may have helped led to him being crucified as a pretender to the crown

·        After Jesus was crucified and the rumor spread that he had risen from the grave and ascended to heaven his disciples started to spread the word of Jesus as the Son of God and the role model for all mankind

Paul