Page 154 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Revised

Chapter 17: Roman Backgrounds in Acts and the Epistles.

Connect…

Rome was the empire of empires in the time of Jesus and the early church. Like so many things, it was
both lovely and deadly. The same empire that boasted the magnificent Parthenon hosted barbaric
games and took delight in watching people die gruesome deaths. The same people that showed great
favor to their friends also showed fierce suppression to their enemies. The Jews came under Roman rule
in the century before Jesus was born. They continued under Roman rule for years. What are the Roman
background to Judea and the early church? Much of Roman culture, as it focuses on the missionary
journeys, has been explained already. In this chapter, we will focus on the Roman culture as it relates to
Israel and the church during Acts and the Epistles.

Objectives…

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1. Students should be able to describe the extent of Rome’s empire during the 1 century AD.

2. Students should be able to identify the seven Roman emperors that reigned during this period.

3. Students should be able to summarize the Roman and Jewish Wars.

4. Students should be able to explain the impact of this background on dating the books of the New
Testament.

The Lesson ...

Roman Backgrounds in Acts and the Epistles

The extent of the Roman empire altered over time. Judea came under its rule in 63 BC. The empire
continued to grow throughout the first century. This map from the Encyclopedia Britannica shows the
extent of the Roman Empire when Emperor Trajan died. 205 That was the latest time that some think
Revelation was written. Most conservative scholars believe Revelation was written around 90AD. The
Roman Empire occupied what is now Britain, Spain, France, Parts of Germany, Turkey, Syria, Judea, and
much of Northern Africa.

The Roman Empire took over Judea, removed the Hasmonean rulers, and established Herod the Great
as the new King. That happened about 40 years before the birth of Jesus. There were various
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government restructures in the Roman empire and Judea during the 1 century AD.

205 Map. The extent of the Roman Empire. https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire

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