Christianity Outline: Historical Background, Key Principle and doctrines, Current followers, Intolerance, and Key ceremonial practices.

A. Historical Background 1) Jesus's Life a) Joseph was the legal father of Jesus. According to biblical information, an angel appeared to Mary, a virgin, and alleged to her that she would bear a child who would be the Son of God. b) Jesus, also called Jesus of Galilee or Jesus of Nazareth, was born in Bethlehem of Judea, about 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) from Jerusalem. c) Guided by the words of an angel, shepherds came to the …

…Tab/><Tab/><Tab/><Tab/><Tab/><Tab/>d) Christians were often given opportunities to avoid further punishment by Roman public, if Chrsistians would offer sacrifices in public or burn incense to a Roman god. If they refused, they were punished by arrest, imprisonment, torture, and exacutions. Christians went to safe houses in the countryside.