Spread of Christianity – Quiz

1. An explicit condemnation of abortion and infanticide and an allegorical interpretation of the Old Testament is found in the early Christian work titled _____________.
2. List at least two reasons that have been suggested by scholars for the rapid spread of Christianity in the third century A.D.
3. The _____________ heresy held that no Christian who recanted his faith under the threat of persecution could ever again hold a position of leadership or perform valid sacraments.
4. The __________ heresy held that Christ was a created being and not of the same substance as God the Father.
5. The bishop of Smyrna whose writings attacked the Marcionite heresy and was martyred for his faith was __________.
6. The emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in proclamation called the ___________ following what he considered a miraculous victory at the Battle of ___________.
7. The first Roman persecution of Christians occurred under the emperor ________.
8. _______________ was a first-century Apostolic Father who stressed the importance of obedience of Christians to their bishops.

Show answers

1. The Epistle of Barnabus
2. The promise of eternal life, its openness to all, apparent similarities to some mystery religions, the humanity of Jesus, the working of the Holy Spirit
3. Donatist
4. Arian
5. Polycarp
6. Edict of Milan, Milvian Bridge
7. Nero
8. Ignatius of Antioch