The History of Christianity in 5 minutes

Summary

Christianity began with Jesus Christ, whose followers spread his teachings across the world after his resurrection. Despite early persecution, Christianity grew rapidly, especially within the Roman Empire. Key events include Emperor Constantine's legalization of the faith, the establishment of church structures, and significant theological councils. Major splits occurred, notably between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054, and later, the Protestant Reformation led by figures like Martin Luther. Over the centuries, Christianity expanded globally, becoming one of the world's largest religions, with around 2.1 billion adherents today.

Takeaways

• ✝️ Christianity began with Jesus Christ, from whom it gets its name.
• 🌍 After Jesus's resurrection, his followers spread the message of salvation globally.
• ⛪ Early Christian communities quickly formed in cities across the Roman Empire.
• 🕰️ Early Christians believed Jesus would return in their lifetimes, but they eventually built a more permanent church structure.
• ⚔️ Christianity faced persecution from Jews and Romans, including intense periods under Roman Emperor Nero.
• 👑 In 313 A.D., Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan, ending persecution.
• 📜 Important church councils established key Christian doctrines, including the list of books in the Bible.
• ⚡ The Christian church split in 1054 A.D. into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East.
• 🛑 Martin Luther and other Protestants led a breakaway from the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in the Protestant Reformation.
• 🌎 Christianity spread globally, especially to the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and today around 2.1 billion people identify as Christians.

Q & A

Who is the central figure of Christianity?

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity, from whom the religion gets its name.

What event marked the beginning of Christianity's spread?

Christianity began spreading after Jesus's resurrection when He sent His followers to spread the news of salvation across the world.

How did Christianity initially spread after Jesus's resurrection?

Christianity spread through the efforts of Jesus's followers, who began in Jerusalem and quickly moved to other cities and nations, with preachers like Paul the Apostle traveling throughout the Roman Empire.

What was the initial expectation of early Christians regarding Jesus's return?

Early Christians believed that Jesus would return within their lifetimes, but as the original disciples grew old and passed away, they realized they needed to prepare for a longer stay on Earth.

How did Roman authorities react to the growth of Christianity?

As Christianity grew, Roman authorities grew fearful, and after the great fire of Rome in AD 64, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians and began persecuting them, making Christianity illegal in the Roman Empire.

What significant event ended the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire?

The persecution ended in 313 AD when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, making Christianity legal and ending the Roman Empire's official persecution of Christians.

What were some key outcomes of the church councils held after the Edict of Milan?

The church councils established key points of Christianity, including the list of books that became the Bible, and resolved disputes between different churches.

What caused the split between the Eastern and Western Churches in 1054 AD?

The split occurred due to major differences in church governance, with the Roman Catholic Church in the West having a structured hierarchy led by the Pope, while the Eastern Orthodox Church opposed centralized leadership under one person.

Who was the most significant figure in the Protestant Reformation, and why?

Martin Luther was the most significant figure in the Protestant Reformation. He was a Catholic priest who became disillusioned with the Catholic Church's practices and ultimately rejected it, forming a new Protestant movement.

How did Christianity spread to the Americas and other parts of the world?

Christianity spread to the Americas with European explorers and settlers. Catholics settled much of South and Central America, while Protestants established colonies in North America. Later, missionaries were sent to places like China, Japan, India, and Africa.