Christianity arose about two thousand years ago and during this time has become one of the most powerful religions in the world. Historians disagree about where Christianity originated. Some believe that it was Palestine, others are convinced that the first communities of Christians appeared in Greece and Rome.
Instructions
Step 1
The basis for the emergence of Christianity was the political processes taking place in Palestine. Several decades before the onset of a new era, Judea became part of the Roman Empire, having lost its independence. Governance in the province passed to the Roman governor. The idea spread in society that the Jewish people experienced divine retribution for violating religious practices.
Step 2
In Palestine, a dull protest against Roman rule was growing, which often took on a religious connotation. The teaching of the Essenes began to gain popularity, whose sect had all the features of early Christianity. The Essenes interpreted the issues related to the sinfulness of man in their own way, they hoped for the imminent arrival of the Savior and believed that the end of times would soon come.
Step 3
Judaism became the ideological basis of Christianity. At the same time, the provisions of the Old Testament did not lose their significance, but received a new interpretation in the light of the events described in the Gospels and associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ. The adherents of the nascent religion brought new ideas to the doctrine of monotheism, messianism and the end of the world. An idea arose about the second coming of the Savior, after which his millennial kingdom would be established on earth.
Step 4
In the 1st century AD, Christianity had just begun to stand out from Judaism. The mood in the religious environment was determined by faith in Jesus Christ, who came into the world to atone for the sins of mankind, as well as the conviction of his divine origin. The first Christians were waiting for the new appearance of the Savior from day to day, anticipating his just reprisal against those who oppressed the people of Palestine.
Step 5
Where the positions of Christianity turned out to be strong, religious communities arose, which at first did not have centralization and special priests. The associations of the first Christians were headed by the most authoritative believers, whom the rest considered capable of receiving God's grace. Christian leaders were often charismatic and influential in the Christian community.
Step 6
Gradually, special people began to stand out from among the religious Christian communities who were engaged in the interpretation of the provisions of the Holy Scriptures. There were also those who performed technical duties. Over time, bishops began to occupy the dominant position in the communities, performing the functions of overseers and observers. The organizational structure of Christianity began to take shape around the 2nd century AD.
Step 7
At the next stage of the formation of Christianity, a slightly different mood spread in society. The tense expectation of the next coming of the Savior was replaced by an attitude towards adaptation to life with new social orders. At this time, the idea of the other world, the immortality of the human soul, began to be developed in most detail.
Step 8
Over time, the social composition of Christian communities began to change. Among the adherents of this religion, there are fewer and fewer poor and disadvantaged - educated and wealthy citizens are actively beginning to accept Christianity. The community is becoming more tolerant of wealth and political power. The complete separation of the new creed from Judaism occurred towards the end of the II century, after which Christianity became an independent religion.
