A Very, Very Brief History of the Church: Part 14

 

After Constantine gained control over the Empire he set out on an agenda to rebuild the ancient glory of the Empire. Constantine saw the important position which Byzantium held in trade and commerce between Europe and Asia the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. These advantages led to Constantine to chooses Byzantium as the new capital of the Empire, this decision, according to Constantine was of divine origin that it was God himself who instructed him to relocate the seat of power to this city. 

The Emperor traveled to Byzantium. Constantine desired to enlarge the city to accommodate its growing stature in the economy of the Empire. Constantine determined to make the city bigger and through a grand ceremony involving Christian and pagan priest. Constantine walked the new parameters of the walls, which were to be built, indicating where the extent of them should be.

As Constantine walked the purposed limits of the new walls of the city, he was asked how far the new limits would extend? His answer was that the walls would reach "as far as the one who walks ahead of me". The Christian priest, who accompanied the Emperor, would have interpreted Constantine's cryptic comment to mean Jesus Christ,  

however, the pagan priest who walked along would have thought he was speaking of their "god".

This involvement of pagan and Christians would be availed of often by the Emperor all for his own advantage.

A Synchronized City

The city was to be an embodiment of Imperial glory. Constantine brought statues of "gods" and riches from around the Empire to adorn the city. These statues were placed in public squares, bathhouses and the hippodrome. Constantine erected a great statue of the “god” Apollo in the very heart of the city but placed upon its shoulders was the very head of Constantine himself.

Constantine's city was becoming a synchronized mix of Christians Churches and pagan temples each finding themselves the beneficiaries of Constantine's support. 

A non-Christian Convert

Many, over the centuries have attempted to understand Constantine's "conversion" . He never placed himself under the oversight of any Christian leader, however, he did have a Christian tutor for his son Crispus whose name was Lactantius.

Constantine would have at times many Christian leaders surrounding him, however, it is apparent that he had his own "religious" ideas that he chose rather than being taught by Christian clergy.

Constantine was never baptized in spite of his "profession" that he believed in Jesus. Constantine was a non-Christian Convert. It is interesting, however, to note that as time passed the Emperor personally would gain a better grasp of the Christian faith and very slowly did move away from devotions to the pagan religion.

Favored Christianity

In spite of Constantine being a non-Christian convert his polices did favor Christianity and, in many ways, and did help to diminish the influence of paganism within the economy of the social life of the Empire allowing Christianity the ability and freedom to spread and take stronger root in both east and west.

Some of his actions toward the Church made life much easier for Christians. He gave the Lateran palace to the Church. He made imperial messengers available to Church leaders and provided them for the Bishops who attended the Synod of Arles in 314 AD.

Constantine's favor which was shown to the Church however did not change the official religion of the Empire. Constantine recognized that if he was to advance his political and social agenda, he would need the help the Roman Senate which was still composed largely of devotees to the ancient ways of the Empire.

To help assure the cooperation of the Senate and to give them reason to trust Constantine he assumed the title "Supreme Pontiff " making him the High Priest of the Empire and protector of it's religious traditions. Constantine would bear this title even to his death.

Constantine had the Roman coins minted with the ancient symbols of Rome and with the ChiRho, that is the PX, which had placed upon the shields of his legions years before as he challenged Galerius and won victory at the Milvian Bridge. 

As time passed Constantine began to show increased support of Christianity and in 324 AD he issued and Imperial Edict proclaiming that the his legions were to worship the Supreme God on the first day of the week. 

The First Council of Nicea

Within the Church debates arose and issues especially "Arianism" which were abounding to the point of social and civil unrest in certain parts of the Empire. In order to put an end to this disturbance within the Empire Constantine called an assembly of the Church leadership to settle these matters and to restore peace.

This assembly was called in the year 325 AD at the town of Nicea. The main issue was to answer the assertion(s) of Dr. Arius who believed that Jesus Christ was not the "Eternal Son of God" and was not fully God as the Father as the second person of the Holy Trinity, but rather, was a created being of the supreme divine order. Arius said that Jesus is "god”, but was less than the Father by virtue of being created. 

This view had become so divisive in the Empire society that strife and contentions had broken out in public places leading to near riots conditions.

The Church Council met and resolved that Jesus is, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit divine in the fullest measure and through the incarnation is fully human even as he is fully God. 

The assembled Bishops wrote their consensus in the form of a creed, called the Creed of Nicea. In 381 AD, another major Church council was held at Constantinople at which the Creed of Nicea was slightly revised to include a few more doctrines. The resulting Creed is called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, or more commonly, the Nicene Creed.

Constantine Impact

Emperor Constantine, attempted to create a new Roman Empire with all the glory restored, yet through his own doing he unleaded with the Empire the force which would, in the end, be its undoing. He gave the Church the freedom to grow. He built great cathedrals on the runes of the ancient Temples of the Empire of which he was the High Priest.

At his death, Constantine sons allowed the Roman Senate to declare their father to be among the "gods”.

Some Christian leaders of the time felt that in spite of his mixture of Christian and pagan beliefs Constantine had been divinely chosen to advance Christianity and to protect the Church positioning it for years to come to have an ever-growing influence in the world. 

 Benediction: May we each and all be ever grateful to our God who guides the flow of history for the advancement of his Kingdom and his glory, Today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee, Michigan

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

A Very, Very Brief History of the Church: Part 13

 

"Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." Mark: 16:15-20

From the very beginning of the Christian movement which is established by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church, that is , those who have come to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God, peoples from many nation were now participating with the ministry with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit.

The Church had weathered many storms and dealt with issues internally and externally as it made it way through history being transforming as it went.

The Church, had felt the heavy hand of persecution at the cost of blood and suffering and great sacrifice, yet even among the sacrifice and suffering there were times that were glorious and the power of the Holy Spirit was evident and the great God, the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, were glorified in the person of Jesus Christ.

Throughout the years many great things had occurred, the Gospel was preached, the people came to experience the forgiveness of God and the Holy Spirit moved to confirm that the word which was preached was truth.  

The Church's focus had been for centuries the proclamation of the name of Jesus and the advancement of his Holy Kingdom into the lives of people. We can read histories of the power of the Spirit moving in people’s lives: healings, deliverance, prayer answered miraculously.

These things were accomplished not just by the clergy but members of the body of Christ ordained and laity alike. Such things were common even amidst the hardships which the Church faced.  

With eyes toward Heaven and always looking to Jesus the Church went forward boldly proclaiming the Gospel, the miraculous happened. But then, as we look at the history of the Church we note a change in the moving of the Holy Spirit among his people, of course there were still events which miraculously occurred but we see a change. 

What would cause this? Was it by divine purpose or was something other transpiring? What would have altered the blessed state and the power which the Church moved in even among hardship?

Edict of Milan

The Emperor Constantine conquered with a Christian symbol ablaze upon the shields of his legions and had won the victory over his opponents at the Milvain Bridge, 312 AD and consolidated his control over the Empire.

Constantine and Licinius then met in Milan Italy and came to an arrangement of power which led to the issuing of the Edict of Milan in 313 AD putting an end to the persecution of Christians in the Empire for the most part.

With the end to persecution in most of the Empire, the Church now found itself free to openly engage the people of the society of the Empire. In so doing, the Church began to once again transform. Whether this transformation was an expression of the divine will of God or sprang from the human component of the Church we may never fully know this side of eternity.

Constantine Gathers Power 

 Within the Empire things were shifting, in fact, the shift had begun long before the civil war which led to Constantine ascension to the pinnacle of power within the Empire. Power was shifting east away from its ancient seat in Rome. As time would pass the east would be more influential and seat of power became more firmly established toward Byzantium

Constantine, however still ruled out Rome with the east being a divided administration between Licinius and Maximinus Daia.These two rulers found themselves at odds and even warred against one another allowing Constantine time to consolidate his power.

Constaintine and Licnius became related through marriage. While Licinius was in the west Maximinus invaded the city of Byzantium, he was however, defeated leaving the Empire in the control of Constantine in the west of Europe and a great area of North Africa, while Licinius ruled the east and Egypt.

The long hoped for peace ended in another civil war which ultimately left Constantine holding great power in the Empire. Constantine was able to seize control over the city of Byzantium. A peace was established around 314 AD.

The peace between the two rulers was short lived. In 322 AD Constantine invaded the territory ruled by Licinius claiming that he was searching for "Barbarians" who had crossed the Danube River.

There was difference which were between the two rulers. There were divides even within the Church found within Licinius' territories leading even to civil unrest at times. Licinius moved to keep the peace. This caused some Christians to believe that they had been wronged by the government. 

Those Christians who felt wronged began to consider Constantine as the true defender of their faith, and one Church leader of the time called Constantine "the Emperor whom God loved" .

The war which erupted between the Constantine and Licinius came. Constantine again adorned his legions with the symbol of the Labarum, which Licinius feared believing that it held "power". Licinius order his legions not to look upon the "Labarum" or to directly assault it.

A violent storm damaged most of Licinius' ships. Licinius found himself fearing that he would be isolated crossed into Asia Minor. Constantine pursued Licinius into Asia Minor. After losing several battles Licinius became distraught. 

Licinius' wife, Constance, who was the sister of Constantine, went to her brother possibly along with the Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, asking her brother to spare her husband Licinius if he would abandon his hold on any power. This Licinius did giving Constantine the throne of the Empire and control over all of Rome and beyond shifting the power center further to the east toward the city of Byzantium, which would be renamed Constantinople meaning the "city of Constantine" which would in time become the true capital of the Empire.

Constantine sought to restore the glory of the Empire whereas those who had come before him attempted this very thing using the pagan worship of the traditional "gods" of Rome. Constantine, however, sought to do so through Christianity seeing it as a powerful social force which would unite the Empire providing social cohesion and balance. 

The Church Imperial

Most Scholars are in agreement that Constantine was not a genuine Christians, yet he did provide at least a semblance of justice and fairness toward the people over which he now ruled.

Constantine maintained the freedom of assembly and unobstructed worship for the people which included Christians. With this new found freedom the Church began to move within society of the Empire in a new way, it now had the tactical support of even the very Emperor himself.

Under the new freedom of the "Constantinian Era"   the Christian Church as it began to effect the society of the Empire began a process of transformation into not just being a "spiritual organism", but into becoming a "religious institution". 

The mission of the Gospel proclamation, which fueled the miraculous, was being redirected into transforming the Empire itself. the Christian Church was becoming the "Imperial Church" with a goal of extending "Christendom" in a territorial sense, in short, the Church was attempting to civilize the pagan Empire into a Christian image.

As the focus went toward Imperial civilizing there was a noted diminishing of the miraculous as the focus went more to sacramental duty and emphasis toward the "authority" of the "bishops".

The Church even found itself elevated to being council of the Emperor.

To Be Continued... 

Benediction: May we each and all give glory to God for his gracious guidance throughout history, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen 

Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor

Topinabee Community Church

Topinabee, Michigan

https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html

 

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

A Very , Very Brief History of the Church: Part 12

  "the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. "Dan: 5:21c

The Diocletian Persecution upon the Christian Church was very severe. As time wore on for the Church, Diocletian became convinced that there was a Christian conspiracy against him. This belief, led Diocletian to a decree demanding the arrest of leaders of the Church where ever they could be found.

This decree then led to not only arresting Christians, pressuring them to renounce their alliance to Jesus and sacrifice at the altar of the Roman gods.

This persecution against the Church was very cruel and the pressure difficult to endure. Many gave in and offered sacrifices to the Roman gods.

Diocletian Abdicates

In the year 304 AD Diocletian became ill, this gave opportunity for Galeiurs who wanted to be the Supreme Emperor to move politically against Diocletian. At first,  Galerius acted as if he was concern for Diocletian. When this tactic failed to secure the abdication of Diocletian Galerius then brought threats against his weaken rival. 

In 305 AD Diocletian left the throne of the Empire and Galerius consolidated his place as the Supreme Emperor. Galerius' politicking led to the abdication of Maximian as well, this left Galerius and Constantius Chlorus each claiming the title of Augustus, and under them were two weak appointees, Severus and Maximinus Daia.

Discontent Begins

This new order of governance did not abide well with many in the Roman legions. In the Legion of Rome were the sons of both Constantius and Maximian. Constantine and Maxentius respectively, both of them were very well liked and admired by many within the Legions.

Galerius brought Constantine to his court holding him hostage, this was done to assure that his father Constantius Chlorus would be loyal to Galerius.

Constantine, however, was able to escape and went to his father. When Constantius Chlorus died the legions under his command pledged loyalty to his son Constantine and they then declared him to be their Augustus.

Maxentius had been taken to Rome where Galerius' appointee Severus ruled. Then Severus committed suicide. Galerius began to lose control of the situation within the Empire.

As the situation in the Roman government worsened Galerius appealed to his predecessor Diocletian, asking him to give assistance in managing the problem. Diocletian refused his help, other than, that of being a negotiator. The condition continued to deteriorate.

Many claimants came forward demanding appoint to the position(s) of power. Gaelrius wishing to avoid a civil war and to keep his hold on power finally reached an agreement, this tenuous agreement led to the appointment of Licinius.

Preparing the Way

All the political motion and chaos within the Empire continued it was setting stage for what would ultimately lead to the legalization Christianity. As suitors to the position(s) of power came forward, Constantine was using his time gaining influence , power and resources was waiting for the right moment to move so that he could ascend the throne of the whole of the Empire.

Even as the winds of Imperial politics blew the Church was still being persecuted by Galerius. Many Christians were being sent as slaves into the stone quarries of the Empire as well as other forms of slavery.

This action, of sending Christians into slavery and or banishment in some cases, often had unintended consequences. As Christians found themselves being scattered to varies places, they began to share their faith in Jesus and to proclaim the Gospel to those who needed to hear it the most. What was occurring is very much like what we see in St. Luke's account in Acts.

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts: 8:1-4

 Those scattered Christians who were forced into slavery or banishment found themselves Missionaries and Evangelist to those who needed hope the most. As a result, Slave Churches arose wherever these Christians founded themselves, the Holy Spirit already having prepared the way for the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and the Kingdom of God.

The Time Had Come

As Gaelerius' persecution against Christians wore on, the Emperor's health began to deteriorate. Some Christians attributed this to the hand of God against Rome and Galerius himself. This led to Galerius suspending his persecution against Christians as he issued a decree on April 30th 311 AD. Five days later Galerius died of his sickness.

Many Christians were released from the prisons around the Empire, many however, had died in the terrible persecution over the years.

Civil War

The Empire was now under the divided control of Licinius, Maximinus Daia, Constantine and Maxentius. There was mutual recognition of thee of the rulers, Maxentius revived no recognition from the other three.

For Christians in the Empire most persecution had come to an end, but some unhappy few were still being persecuted by Maximinus Daia.

Constantine was now ready for power; he readied his legions in Gaul (France) and then led them over the Alps and into Italy. His forces stormed Rome where Maxentius ruled. Maxentius was unprepared for the attack. Constantine's legions took the city and occupied the area with Maxentius held up behind the city walls.

In Hoc Signo Vinces

There are differing accounts as to what actually took place, one Christian historian who was an acquaintance of Constantine records that on the evening prior to battle, Constantine had a vision or revelation. Lactantius said, that Constantine had a dream in which he was commanded to place a Christians symbol upon the shields of his legionnaires.

Eusebius wrote in History of the Church, that Constantine saw "a vision in the clouds of a Cross", or the Labarum which is the letters PX, also called in Geek the Chi Rho, and saw the words "In Hoc Signo Vinces" which means by "in this sign you will conquer”. 

Whatever it was that Constantine saw or heard, he followed the instructions and placed a symbol upon his soldiers’ shields. Maxentius was defeated and was killed at the Milvian Bridge. Constantine won the victory and consolidated his power over the Empire.

After the battle, Constantine met with Licinius at Milan in North Italy in Febuary of 313 AD, there the two leaders made an alliance together which led to the "Edict of Milan" in 313 AD putting an end to most of the persecution against Christians, yet some persecution still persisted for a time.

It is generally conceded by historians and scholars both Ecclesiastical and Secular, that Constantine was not a genuine convert to Christianity. It is known that Constantine funded and even encouraged some to worship the "Sol Invictus" , that is the "Unconquered Sun", and he even funded pagan temples to the gods, yet, the Edict of Milan restored properties to Christians and gave the Church freedom to worship and to carry out its mission for season of peace . For God's own purpose he raised up Constantine to accomplish his will in the Earth.

Benediction: May we each and all give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ who Kingdom rules, even in the kingdom's of man, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"

A Very, Very Brief History of the Church: Part 11

 "And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the World."Matt:28:20b

The Christian Church had faced many challenges and hardship from it's inception on that glorious Pentecost around 33 AD, moving those frighten believers out of the upper room into the streets of the Holy City of Jerusalem and into all the Earth.

There were challenges and strife from within and without. There had been uncertainties which gave way to great glory. Opposition had come from many quarters yet the Jesus movement grew and transformed as it spread across the face of the Earth.

In the very early days of the Primitive Apostolic Church there was a true sense of anticipation that the Lord Jesus would return and that they would personally be on the Earth at that glorious moment, this anticipation is evident even the Epistles of St. Paul.

But, as time passed it became clear that the return of Jesus would still be for a time yet to come in which the Apostles, and other Apostolic believers would not live to see, but rather there was Kingdom work yet to be done for many years to come.

Challenges and Changes

The Church leadership had contended with and confronted questions which had arisen and sometimes these questions were divisive ones and conversation which were entered into had resolved some of these questions only to produce more questions.

The Church had gone from thinking of itself and being thought of as a sect of Judaism to emerging as something very different, yet very much an inseparable part of the sacred heritage of the History of Salvation which had come down through the millennia from the Garden of Eden through the Patriarchs and the Children of Israel and now to people of all nations.

The Church had relinquished its hold upon the Law which the original believes had been taught at the Temple of God or in the many Synagogues which were found throughout the land. Now, the Church was quite different. This transformation allowed for the Gentiles to be admitted into the Christian movement as equal participants in the work of the Kingdom; had these changes not come the Christian movement would have languished in the shadow of Judaism and may have faded away altogether over time. 

There had been over the years Imperial persecutions which would arise at times and then close for a season giving rise to a time of peace for the Christian Church.

Paradoxically, these times of Imperial persecution would fuel the growth of the Church as many onlookers saw the courage and faith of the martyrs who trusted in Jesus accepting death over deliverance, even going to their deaths with praises, prayers and hymns to God that they could die for their Lord.

Diocletian's Administration

After a "relatively" peaceful season for the Church Diocletian became the Emperor of Rome in 284 AD. Many Christians had hoped that Diocletian's ascension to power was to be a blessing to the Church at large because both Diocletian's wife, Prisca, and their daughter Valeria professed to be Christians. 

Upon the ascension of Diocletian to the throne of the Empire he created an reorganized administration whereby the Empire was governed by himself as the Supreme Emperor who ruled in the East and Maximiam who ruled in the West. Under each them was a "Caesar", Calerius under Diocletian and Constantius Chlorus under Maimiam, each of these "emperors" had a specific territory over-which they ruled. This arrangement brought prosperity to the Empire and would ultimately prove providential for the Christian Church.

Leading to Persecution

Over the years many Christians were drawn from many sectors of Roman society, there were even Christians who wore the Armor of the Roman Legion and fought for the Empire and Emperor.

The Church strongly encouraged Christians not to join the Legions of Rome. Many Christians refused to go to the army which resulted in a death sentence passed against many believers around 295 AD.

Galerius exploited the Christians refusal to be in the Legion and convinced Diocletian to expel Christians out of the Roman Legion. Some commanders attempted to compel some Christians Legionaries to renounce their faith in Christ as to not weaken their ranks which resulted in the death of many, this occurred mainly in the Legion(s) of the Danube under Calerius.  

Diocletian's Edict

Diocletian being influenced by Galerius issued a edict against Christians in 303 AD not to put them to death, but rather to remove them from all stations of life where they might have had influence in Roman society, even Christians who held positions in the Roman government were not exempt. 

This edict issued by Diocletian led to the destruction and confiscation of any Christian properties which were held and any Christian literature that was to be found. 

Fire and Furry

The persecution took a statutory and cruel turn when a fire broke out at the Imperial Palace. An advisor to Diocletian named Galerius charged Christians with the responsibility for setting the fire just as Nero had done years before. Some Christians of that day believe that Galerius himself was the one who, in truth, set the fire for the purpose of enraging the Emperor. 

It was after the palace fire that Diocletian issued a decree demanding that Christians make a sacrifice to the "gods”. This decree led many Christians to death, again refusing to renounce Jesus and worship the "gods" of Rome or the Empire itself. This time of the Diocletian persecution was one of most severe faced by the Church.

Galerius Ascends

By the year 304 AD Diocletian became sick nearly to death and even in what recovery which Diocletian had he was left weak and drained with a loss of vitality. This weaken state left the Emperor in a vulnerable political position for during this period of Diocletian illness Galerius was in the background posturing and gaining power and influence within the Imperial government.

Galerius, at first approached Diocletian under the pretense of concern for Diocletian, this pseudo concern quickly gave way to threats which led to Diocletian's abdication of the throne in 305 AD and ceding power to Galerius.

Galerius also brought about the abdication of Maximinian through threats of military action against him.....

To be Continued..

Benediction: May each and all take comfort in the ever abiding presences of our Lord Jesus, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.

 

Rev. Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma

"If It Is Not About Jesus, It Is Not About Anything"