MAJOR SECOND QUARTER ASSIGNMENT

The world was much different during the time of the New Testament, there was a Roman Empire that ruled the world and even Israel. There was a Temple in Jerusalem, there were tax collectors, there were Pharisees and Sadducees. The Romans had built roads throughout the Roman Empire, and they divided the territories into provinces. There were strict laws in the Roman Empire, and Caesar, the Roman Emperor, was the main ruler of the world.
The New Testament Lands. The geographical areas mentioned in the New Testament goes from the land of Israel to the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome itself. The journeys of the apostles cover areas like Asia Minor, and Greece with all their cities. There are many cities and mountains and rivers and deserts mentioned in the Bible within this area known as the New Testament world.
The Roman Empire. During the time of the New Testament the Roman Empire was in power, and they ruled the world. Their boundaries were the British Channel and the Black Sea in the north, Africa and the Nile in the South, Euphrates River on the east, and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. Israel was a province of the Roman Empire and they had to pay taxes to Rome. Rome had placed Herod in charge of Israel, although they set up a procurator for making sure that the taxes were collected. There were Roman soldiers stationed throughout the empire, in Judea their headquarters was at Caesarea by the sea.
Israel in the New Testament. The land of Israel was a very small territory on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. During New Testament times there were three main regions in Israel: Judea in the south, Samaria in the middle, and Galilee in the north.
Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem has always been the heart of the land of Israel. During New Testament times Herod the great built Jerusalem into one of the wonders of the world. Herod's architectural abilities were astounding, and everything in Jerusalem was beautiful to behold. Within the city of Jerusalem was the great Temple, and upper city for the wealthy, a lower city for the common people, markets, a great theater, powerful towers, an aqueduct, monuments, and the powerful fortress of Antonia. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolizing that His greatness was His humility. The sad thing is that Jerusalem's leaders did not recognize their Messiah, and because of this Jesus wept over the city and foresaw her coming doom which took place in 70 A.D.
The Nations in the New Testament. It is important to take a brief look at the nations that existed during New Testament times. 
Asia Minor. In the time of the New Testament Asia Minor, also known as Asia, was a province of the Roman Empire. Some of the important cities in Asia Minor where churches were established were: Ephesus which was the capital of Asia, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Paul the Apostle was from Tarsus, a city of southeast Asia Minor.
Greece. During New Testament times the gospel had spread as far as Greece, and many churches were establish there. Some of the important cities were: Athens the capital, Corinth, and Thessalonica.
Rome. The Roman Empire ruled the world during the time of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, and all roads within the Empire led to the forum in ancient Rome. During the time of the New Testament some of the main emperors were Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, and Titus Vespasian.
Religion in Israel. The center of religion in the land of Israel during New Testament times was Jerusalem. The high priest was in charge of all the religion within the land, and the Sanhedrin upheld all religious matters. There were different religious groups that everyone was familiar with Israel. There were the Pharisees who revere the law and attempted to follow it in every respect. Many of the Pharisees were doctors of the law, like Nicodemus who Jesus called a "teacher of Israel." The Scribes were very learned in the law, they were interpreters of the law and they were teachers of the law and many times they were referred to as lawyers. The Sadducees were very wealthy and powerful priests, they controlled the priesthood and the operations within the Temple, as well as the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of ancient Israel. They did not accept traditional viewpoints but only the strict written letter of the law, and in their viewpoint the law was the five books of Moses. The priests mainly served in the Temple, and were mediators for the people. They were divided into 24 classes of priests, and they all took turns serving. The high priest offered the sacrifice on the day of atonement, and he was the most important man in Jewish religion.
Religion in the Roman Empire. The Romans believed in many different gods and even goddesses. They built temples and had ceremonies to thank the gods. They made sacrifices of sheep and goats and pigs and oxen. Yet the most important gods were similar to the Greek gods. Some of these gods have familiar names: Zeus and his wife Juno, Vesta and Neptune and Dis, Mercury and Mars, Apollo and Diana, and many others. They also believed that the Emperor was the supreme Pontiff and high priest, and they worshiped him as a god.

USING YOUR BOOK, A BIBLE, AND THIS HANDOUT, ILLUSTRATE THE GROWTH OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY (CREATE A MAP) AND HOW THE WORD OF CHRIST SPREAD.  YOU WILL BE GRADED BASED ON CLARITY AND EXPLANATION.  YOU MUST START WITH THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (PENTECOST)ON THE APOSTLES.
• ADD AS MANY DETAILS AS YOU THINK ARE NECESSARY
• BE SURE TO NAME ALL MAJOR EVANGELICAL CHARACTERS IN EITHER YOUR DESCRIPTION ON THE MAP OR IN CHRONOLOGICAL ACCURATE ORDER  (THE NAMES PETER, PAUL MUST BE INCLUDED)
• THIS WILL COUNT AS ½ YOUR QUARTER GRADE
• NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  DUE JANUARY 15 (WHETHER REMOTE, HYBRID, OR IN-PERSON)
• You must cite your resources