Question

• in the early first century, all people within the roman empire had to worship roman gods. this meant that being a monotheist, or someone who worships only one god, was illegal.
• during this time, the roman empire made an exception for jews. in other words, jews were allowed to be monotheists, but members of newer religions were not.
• the earliest followers of jesus were monotheists and did not acknowledge roman gods. however, they were not punished for these beliefs.

based on this information, which conclusion is correct?
rome considered the earliest followers of jesus to be jewish.
early followers of jesus worshiped roman gods.
jesuss earliest followers were not really monotheists.
early followers of jesus were punished by the roman empire.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• Option 1: The text says Jews were allowed to be monotheists, and early Jesus followers (monotheists) weren't punished. This implies Rome may have considered them Jewish (since Jews were exempt from monotheist punishment).
• Option 2: The text states early Jesus followers "did not acknowledge Roman gods", so this is wrong.
• Option 3: The text says they were monotheists, so this is wrong.
• Option 4: The text says "they were not punished for these beliefs", so this is wrong.

Answer:

Rome considered the earliest followers of Jesus to be Jewish.