Breakthrough International Bible University - Religion, Christian History

The correct answer is Greek. A common language was developed for the empire, which was a simplified version of Greek. This simplified version of Greek made it possible for Christian missionaries to communicate with people throughout the empire.

Decius's persecution aimed to force Christians to publicly renounce their faith. This was a strategy employed by the Roman Emperor Decius in the 3rd century to suppress the growing influence of Christianity. By coercing Christians to renounce their beliefs openly, Decius hoped to weaken the Christian community and discourage others from joining the faith. This persecution involved various forms of pressure, including threats, imprisonment, and even death for those who refused to comply. The ultimate goal was to eradicate Christianity or at least diminish its influence within the Roman Empire.

Putting love into deeds was probably the most potent single cause of Christian success because it allowed Christians to demonstrate their faith through actions rather than just words. By actively practicing love and kindness towards others, Christians were able to attract and convert more followers. This approach resonated with people who were looking for a genuine and compassionate community, and it helped Christianity spread rapidly.

Antioch is the correct answer because historical records indicate that it was in Antioch where the followers of Christ were first called Christians. The term "Christian" was coined to distinguish the believers in Jesus Christ from the rest of the population. Antioch, located in present-day Turkey, was a significant center for early Christianity and played a crucial role in the spread of the faith. The name "Christian" eventually became widely accepted and used to identify followers of Christ throughout the world.

Decius passed the first specifically anti-Christian laws in the Roman Empire and initiated the first empire-wide persecution of Christians. His reign as emperor from 249 to 251 AD marked a significant turning point in the treatment of Christians, as he sought to restore traditional Roman religious practices and suppress the growing influence of Christianity. Decius implemented measures requiring citizens to obtain certificates affirming their loyalty to the state religion, which often meant renouncing their Christian faith. This led to widespread persecution and martyrdom of Christians, making Decius a pivotal figure in the history of early Christianity.

Alexander the Great culturally unified the Mediterranean world through his conquests and the spread of Hellenistic culture. As the king of Macedonia, he embarked on a series of military campaigns, establishing an empire that stretched from Greece to Egypt and India. Through his policies of assimilation and cultural exchange, Alexander encouraged the blending of Greek and local cultures, promoting the spread of Greek language, art, architecture, and philosophy. This cultural unification had a lasting impact on the Mediterranean region, laying the foundation for the later Roman Empire and influencing the development of Western civilization.

The activity of missionaries resulted in the establishment of a network of Christian communities throughout the Roman world. These missionaries spread the teachings of Christianity and converted people to the faith, leading to the formation of the Catholic Church. Through their efforts, Christians gained the right to refer to their community as the Catholic Church.

Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted toleration to all Christians. This proclamation marked the end of the Great Persecution.

The phrase "in the fullness of time" refers to the idea that the conditions during Jesus' time were perfect for the growth and spread of Christianity. It suggests that God chose the perfect moment in history to send Jesus to Earth, when the world was ready to receive his teachings and the message of Christianity could be effectively propagated.

The answer "Jerusalem Pentecost" is correct because it refers to the event described in the Bible where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, fifty days after his resurrection. This event marked the beginning of the Christian church and is considered to be the birth of Christianity. It happened around AD 30, making it the starting point for church history.

The first important Christian community was established in the western part of the Roman Empire.

A rule of faith is similar to a creed because both serve as statements of belief or principles that guide and define a religious community. Just like a creed, a rule of faith outlines the essential doctrines and teachings that members of a religious group adhere to. Both a rule of faith and a creed provide a framework for understanding and interpreting religious teachings, serving as a unifying force within the community.

Diocletian launched the worst attack on the Christian faith in the year 303, which came to be known as the Great Persecution. This persecution was so severe that it surpassed any previous attacks by the Church.

The tensions between the Greek-speaking Jews, known as Hellenists, and Palestinian Jews escalated to the point where seven men were appointed to facilitate the integration of Greeks into the Christian community. However, the situation worsened and violence broke out, leading the Greeks to flee north to either Samaria or the city of Antioch in Syria. Despite this conflict, Christianity made progress by incorporating Jews from beyond Palestine, expanding its reach and influence.

The correct answer is "council of Jerusalem, Council of Jerusalem". The entry of Gentiles into the Christian faith prompted Jewish-Christians to question if these newcomers had to become Jews before becoming Christians. As a result, they met at the council of Jerusalem, which was the first church council ever held. At this council, they discussed and debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs and laws. The decision reached at the council of Jerusalem had a significant impact on the early development of Christianity.

The correct answer is "Gnostics knowledge". The Gnostics claimed to possess special personal knowledge that was not available to ordinary Christians. The term "Gnostics" comes from the Greek word for "knowledge".

In 261, Gallienus passed a law tolerating the Christian faith and for more than 40 years, the Christian faith was at rest.

Nero blamed a fire in Rome on the Christians, which led to the first persecution of Christians. This event occurred in 64 AD when a fire broke out in Rome and destroyed a large portion of the city. Nero, in order to deflect blame from himself, accused the Christians of starting the fire and used this as an opportunity to persecute them. This marked the beginning of a long history of persecution against Christians in the Roman Empire.

The correct answer is Greek Palestinian and Greek Palestine. The explanation for this answer is that the question is discussing the attraction of Greek-speaking Jews to the Christian community in Jerusalem. These Greek-speaking Jews practiced their Jewish faith differently from the other Jews in the region, who are referred to as Palestinian Jews. Therefore, the terms "Greek Palestinian" and "Greek Palestine" accurately describe the different groups of Jews mentioned in the question.

The gnostic threat was the hardest struggle for the Church to overcome because it posed a significant challenge to Christian doctrine and beliefs. Gnosticism was a belief system that claimed to possess secret knowledge and denied the physical incarnation of Jesus. This threatened the core teachings of the Church and led to debates and conflicts within the early Christian community. The Church had to actively combat and refute gnostic teachings in order to establish its authority and preserve its orthodox beliefs.

The gnostics endangered Church teachings and Church unity. Gnosticism was a belief system that challenged the orthodox teachings of the Church, promoting alternative and mystical interpretations of Christianity. This posed a threat to the established Church teachings, as it could confuse and lead people away from the accepted doctrines. Additionally, the gnostic movement created divisions and schisms within the Church, undermining its unity and authority. Therefore, the gnostics posed a danger to both the teachings and unity of the Church.

During the Great Persecution, thousands of people were killed, church property was confiscated, and sacred objects were destroyed. This period refers to the intense persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire, particularly under Emperor Diocletian from 303 to 311 AD. The persecution aimed to eradicate Christianity and suppress its followers. Christians were targeted, and many were executed for their faith. Additionally, church properties were seized, and sacred objects were destroyed as a means to weaken the Christian community and discourage their religious practices.

It's not B because Pentecost was when Jesus's followers began to attract the first converts to Christianity.