Final answer:
Christianity began with Jesus of Nazareth in Palestine about 2,000 years ago. His teachings were initially open to interpretation, but through figures like St. Paul, the religion's core tenets were developed and spread, especially once recognized and supported by the Roman Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Started Christianity?
Christianity began approximately 2,000 years ago with Jesus of Nazareth, who is considered the founder of the religion by its adherents. It originated in Palestine, where Jesus preached a message of caritas—meaning charity or treating others as one would like to be treated oneself. Although there were many interpretations of his teachings and variances in early Christian practice, it was the interpretation of Jesus's death and resurrection and the subsequent preaching by his followers, particularly the apostle Paul, that unified the religion and catalyzed its spread.
St. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was instrumental in formulating and spreading Christian theology, emphasizing the divine plan of salvation through Jesus's sacrifice. Early Christianity evolved from Judaism and is a monotheistic religion that regards the biblical patriarch Abraham as a key figure. Despite initial persecutions within the Roman Empire, Christianity's promotion by Roman Emperors like Constantine and later Theodosius helped to transition Christianity into a major world faith.
Early Christians called Jesus "the Christ," meaning "the anointed one" in Greek, and believed that he was anointed to bring salvation to humanity. Christianity would not be recognized as a distinct religion separate from Judaism until the second century, and it was during this time that it began to codify its scriptures, doctrines, and establish its religious identity.