The Early Church

HOW DID IT SPREAD

• Because it was created in ROME

• Areas controlled by Rome were peaceful, generally, and this it made it easy to travel the words spreading their teachings

• Most people spoke Latin or Greek (easy communication)

• The message of Christianity gave comfort to people because it allowed people to believe that they would have a better life after death

• Christianity also promoted taking care of your neighbor so the Christian communities took care of each other and this meant better security

The Emperor Constantine has a dream that leads him to victory.

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The Empire Accepts Christianity

What did Constantine change

• Before the battle began, he ordered his soldiers to paint a cross on their shields

• Constantine became a strong believer and issued the Edict of Milan in 313 C.E. 

• This erased all the other edicts and allowed for Christianity to be practiced freely and free from persecution

• He felt that Christianity was the key to bringing the Roman Empire together again.

• Christians, for the first time, were allowed to serve in government and they did not have to pay taxes $$$$

• Emperor Theodosius banned Greek and Roman religions making Christianity the official religion in 392 C.E.

• Claimed that he had the right to rule over all bishops 

• Was given this power by the Apostle Peter.

• His diocese was in Rome and that was the capital of the Roman Empire so he should lead

• By 600 C.E., the bishop of Rome was give a special name, POPE.

• Pope comes from the latin word papa, which means “father”

• Western Roman Empire followed him and became Roman Catholic Church

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The Bishop of Rome