Name Date Assessment: The Origins and Spread of Christianity 1. Why did the Jews distrust King Herod? A. He believed in many gods. B. He persecuted their followers. C. He was controlled by the Romans. D. He rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem. Mastering the Content Circle the letter next to the best answer. 2. What did many Jews hope that a Messiah would do? A. free them from a foreign power B. attract other people to their faith C. teach people how to live in peace D. warn them of the end of the world 3. What is the main source of early information about the life of Jesus? A. the Latin writings of Roman historians B. Egyptian scrolls found near the Dead Sea C. Gospels written in Greek by his followers D. scribes who recorded his deeds in Hebrew 4. Jesus probably grew up in the family of A. a carpenter in Nazareth. B. a shoemaker in Jerusalem. C. an innkeeper in Bethlehem. D. a fisherman by the Sea of Galilee. 5. According to the New Testament, which event introduced Jesus s years of public preaching? A. One of the disciples asked him a question. B. John the Baptist identified him as the Messiah. C. The rabbis in Jerusalem asked him to teach them. D. King Herod passed a harsh law that made him angry. 6. Why did Jesus preach mostly outdoors? A. He taught his followers to respect nature. B. His disciples were too shabby to go inside. C. The Romans would not let him preach indoors. D. The crowds were too big to fit in the buildings.
7. According to the earliest written accounts, what did Jesus emphasize in his teachings? A. love B. justice C. revenge D. obedience 8. According to Jesus, what would the kingdom of God be like? A. The Roman Empire would end. B. A new emperor would be crowned. C. People would destroy the old temples. D. People would live according to God's will. 9. One example of a parable is a story about A. Jesus rising from the dead. B. the birth of a baby in a stable. C. Paul telling others about Jesus. D. a traveler helping an injured man. 10. According to the New Testament, why did Jesus go to Jerusalem a few days before his execution? A. to pray in a beautiful garden B. to give out food to his followers C. to celebrate the festival of Passover D. to drive the Romans from the city 11. The New Testament tells that the rulers of Jerusalem had Jesus arrested because they A. wanted to conquer the Jews. B. feared he might lead a revolt. C. had told him to stay in Galilee. D. said he should worship the emperor. 12. How was Paul important to the early development of Christianity? A. He asked converts to come and visit him. B. He spread Christianity to people who were not Jews. C. He preached Christianity in the Temple in Jerusalem. D. He led the disciples who traveled with Jesus.
13. How did Paul continue to have influence while in jail? A. by writing letters B. by persecuting Christians C. by converting fellow prisoners D. by preaching through the window 14. What was one result of the actions listed below? Actions Taken by Christians did not worship Roman gods did not want great wealth did not believe the emperor was a god did not serve in the army A. Jesus was crucified. B. Paul became a Christian. C. Christians were persecuted. D. Constantine freed Roman slaves. 15. Which teaching helped to spread Christianity in the Roman Empire? A. Believers would not feel pain or hunger. B. Citizens had the right to overthrow evil rulers. C. People could sacrifice to any gods they wanted. D. Slaves and the poor could hope for a better life after death. 16. How did Emperor Constantine affect the spread of Christianity? A. He banned Christianity from Judea. B. He freed Christians to worship openly. C. He ordered Christians to be killed by wild animals. D. He made Christianity the official religion of Rome.
Applying Social Studies Skills Use the timelines and your knowledge of history to complete the sentences. 17. Jesus was born when the Roman emperor was. and the local ruler of Judea was. 18. When Judea came under Roman rule, the form of government in Rome was 19. A difference in policy toward Christians between the emperors Nero and Constantine can be seen in the contrast between which two events on the timeline? This contrast shows a policy change in the direction of
Exploring the Essential Question: How did Christianity originate and spread? 20. Christianity spread in the Roman Empire in spite of, and partly because of, how Roman officials treated Christians for many years. Write a dialogue between two Romans who have just witnessed the death of a Christian for his or her beliefs. The two Romans should have different reactions to the event. In the words of your characters, your dialogue should include: a description of what happened, with supporting details and precise words. the opinions of one character who approves of the government s action. the opinions of another character who admires or sympathizes with the Christian.