CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S Number #7 blamed the Christians for the great fire that Baptism was not entered into lightly. First destroyed 10 of the 14 city wards at Rome in one went through an extensive period of Early Church 64 A.D., a fire that Nero apparently had preparation as a “catachumen.” This lasted Miscellanea ordered himself. The historian Tacitus, not as long as three years, involving close scru- a Christian, said that Nero had the believers tiny of the catachumen’s behavior. The “torn by dogs, nailed to crosses, . . . even church would only admit those who proved used as human torches to illumine his gar- to be sincere in seeking a totally new life dens at night.” within the Christian community. of people, events, life and faith from But Christians were not under persecution Stats everywhere and all the time. The persecu- Researcher David Barrett reports that by tions were sporadic, with peaceful inter- the year 300, or nine generations after Christ, the Church Across the Ages vals in between. They varied in their inten- the world was 10.4% Christian with 66.4% sity and were mostly localized. of believers Non-whites. The scriptures had been translated into ten languages. FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FAITH: Just Get the Certificate! More than 410,000, representing one in ev- There were two all-out empire-wide perse- ery 200 believers from the time of Christ, A LOOK AT THE EARLY CHURCH cutions intended to utterly destroy the had given their lives as martyrs for the church. The first, under the emperor De- faith. Glimpses is published in six-month cycles with a theme for each cycle. Our first cycle cius, began in December, 249. Everyone in was on outstanding laity in church history. This current set will deal with the early the empire had to get a certificate from a Slave Makes Good! church, the first few hundred years up to the time of the Emperor Constantine. At that government officer verifying that he or she had offered a sacrifice to the gods—an act Christians drew members into their fellow- point, the church received legal status and went on to become the official faith of the that most Christians in good conscience ship from every rank and race, an affront to Roman Empire. This first issue in the cycle takes a broad look at life, worship, and could not do. proper, class-conscious Romans. A former ministry in the early church. We hope this will whet your appetite to feast more on this slave who had worked the mines actually critical period. The second, called “The Great Persecution,” became the bishop of Rome—Callistus in began on February 23, 303, under Emperor 217. HAVE YOU EVER noticed that the Bible against Rome beginning in 66 A.D., and by Diocletian. Galerius, the empire’s second- gives us no clue as to what Jesus looked the end of the first century the church had in-command, was behind this persecution “Send me your letters and gifts” like? All our paintings of Jesus are merely largely separated from the synagogue. policy and continued it after Diocletian’s Misusing the Gospel for financial gain is by the artist’s idea of how he might have death. For eight long years, official decrees no means the invention of 20th-century looked. The first representation of Christ When a “church” wasn’t a building ordered Christians out of public office, scrip- religious hucksters. One of the earliest on record is actually a derisive graffiti on These early believers did not have church tures confiscated, church buildings de- Christian documents after the New Testa- the wall of a house on the Palatine Hill in buildings to meet in. They met mostly in stroyed, leaders arrested, and pagan sacri- ment, “The Didache,” a kind of manual on Rome. It pictured the body of a man being homes. The first church buildings did not fices required. All the reliable methods of church practice, warns about traveling crucified but with the head of an ass. The start to appear until the early 200s. torture were mercilessly employed—wild preachers who come and ask for money. inscription reads: “Alexamenos worships beasts, burning, stabbing, crucifixion, the The satirist Lucian in the second century his god.” Debate but not denominations rack. But they were all to no avail. The ridiculed Christians for being so easily taken The early church did not have denomina- penetration of the faith across the empire in by charlatans, often giving them money. From the time of Nero (64 A.D.) until the tions as we think of them today. But that was so pervasive that the church could not Lucian recorded the notorious case of the conversion of Emperor Constantine and does not mean they had no serious dis- be intimidated nor destroyed. In 311, the philosopher Peregrinus, who attracted a the Edict of Milan (313 A.D.), whereby Chris- agreements within the ranks. They did. same Galerius, shortly before his death, devoted following among Christians (and tianity was made le- And they did not find weak and diseased, issued an “edict of tol- a lot of money) before he was found out. gal, the Christian faith this surprising. They eration.” This included the statement that The showman instincts of Peregrinus was officially re- felt they were dealing it was the duty of Christians “to pray to reached their climax when he died by pub- garded as a religio with matters of ulti- their god for our good estate.” licly cremating himself at the close of the prava, an evil or de- mate truth and error— Olympic games in 165. praved religion. matters to be taken with the utmost seri- Baptism Next Time Jewish Roots ousness even when it The Christian writer Hippolytus, writing meant dissension. about 200 A.D., describes baptism at Rome. What happened to the 12 apostles beyond Christianity began as Candidates took off their clothing, were what we know of them from the New Tes- a movement within Ju- baptized three times after renouncing Sa- tament? Find out in the next edition of daism. Much of the Persecution tan and affirming the basic teachings of the GLIMPSES. earliest proclamation The early Christians faith, and put on new clothes. Then they of the Gospel took were the targets of re- joined the rest of the church in the Lord’s place in the syna- peated persecutions— GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian gogues. The Chris- Supper. History Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone some of unspeakable 215-584-1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright tians did not side with The Alexamenos graffiti from Palatine Hill, Rome. cruelty. For example, 1990 by Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. the Jews in their revolt The first artistic representation of the crucifixion? the emperor Nero CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S THEY WENT IN EVERY DIRECTION AS HUMBLE MESSENGERS NUMBER #8 EARLY CHURCH APOSTLES

of people, events, life and faith from the Church Across the Ages WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE TWELVE APOSTLES??

THEY WERE NOT legend says they cast The Apostles took The Gospel throughout the Roman Empire and even beyond its the kind of group lots and divided up borders. Most met violent deaths because of their message of "Good News." you might have ex- the world to deter- pected Jesus to mine who would go PHILIP possibly had a powerful ministry have taken care of Mary the mother of Jesus send forth on his where, so all could in Carthage in North Africa and then in in his home. During Domitian’s persecu- mission to reach hear about Jesus. Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of tion in the middle 90’s, he was exiled to the the world. There They suffered greatly a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the pro- island of Patmos. There he is credited with for their faith and in consul had Philip arrested and cruelly put writing the last book of the New Testa- was nothing spe- cial or spectacular most cases met violent to death. ment—the Revelation. An early Latin tra- deaths on account of dition has him escaping unhurt after being about them. They MATTHEW, the tax collector and writer of cast into boiling oil at Rome. were just ordinary their bold witness. a Gospel, ministered in Persia and Ethio- working men. But pia. Some of the oldest reports say he was For Pete’s sake Jesus formed them PETER and PAUL not martyred, while others say he was The names of Jesus’ apostles have become into the backbone were both martyred in stabbed to death in Ethiopia. the most common names for males in the of the church and Rome about 66 A.D., Western world. How many do you know gave them the most during the persecu- BARTHOLOMEW had widespread mis- named John, Pete, Tom, Andy, Jim, Bart or extraordinary task tion under Emperor sionary travels attributed to him by tradi- Phil? The Calling of The Apostles Peter and Andrew. imaginable: calling Nero. Paul was be- tion: to India with Thomas, back to Arme- It wasn't from among the respected religious lead- headed. Peter was nia, and also to Ethiopia and Southern None of the apostles were called from the the entire world, ers in Jerusalem that Jesus called his Apostles but Arabia. There are various accounts of how priesthood or the “professional clergy” of including the from ordinary workers in remote Galilee. crucified, upside he met his death as a martyr for the gospel. Jesus day. mightiest empire Painting by DUCCIO di BUONINSEGNA National Gallery of down at his request, ever known, to re- Art, Washington; Samuel H. Kress Collection Date 1308/ 1311 since he did not feel JAMES, the son of Alpheus, is one of at At least four of the apostles were fisher- pentance and faith he was worthy to die least three Jameses referred to in the New men. Can this be part of the reason that one in the risen Christ. You can be sure that any in the same manner as his Lord. Testament. There is some confusion as to of the earliest and most prominent Chris- educated, first-century Roman citizen which is which, but this James is reckoned tian symbols was the fish? The Greek word to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish for fish, ichthus, formed an acrostic: Iesous would have laughed at any prediction that ANDREW went to the “land of the man- historian Josephus reported that he was Christos Theou Uios Soter, which means within three centuries the Christian faith eaters,” in what is now the Soviet Union. stoned and then clubbed to death. “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” would be the official faith of the empire. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He also SIMON THE ZEALOT, so the story goes, After the death of the apostles, we do not The New Testament tells of the fate of only preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Tur- ministered in Persia and was killed after find great misssionary figures of the stature two of the apostles: Judas, who betrayed key, and in Greece, where he is said to have refusing to sacrifice to the sun god. of Paul. Yet the faith continued to spread Jesus and then went out and hanged him- been crucified. like wildfire—even though Christianity was self, and James the son of Zebedee, who MATTHIAS was the apostle chosen to re- declared an illegal religion. Learn more of was executed by Herod about 44 A.D. (Acts place Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria “How the Young Church Spread” next time 12:2). “Doubting” THOMAS was probably most with Andrew and to death by burning. in GLIMPSES. active in the area east of Syria. Tradition Into All The World has him preaching as far east as India, where JOHN is the only one of the company gen- GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian Reports and legends abound and they are History Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone the ancient Marthoma Christians revere erally thought to have died a natural death not always reliable, but it is safe to say that from old age. He was the leader of the 215-584-1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright him as their founder. They claim that he 1990 by Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. the apostles went far and wide as heralds of church in the Ephesus area and is said to died there when pierced through with the the message of the risen Christ. An early spears of four soldiers. CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S NUMBER #9 “Our Father” An indirect testimony to the The letters can be rearranged importance of this is perhaps EARLY CHURCH Perhaps we can better un- in a cross to Paternoster found in this mysterious ("Our Father" in Latin) twice EVANGELISM derstand the remarkable Latin word square that has spread of the faith by remem- with "A" and "O" left over. been found in many places These are the first and last bering what a jolt it must from England to Mesopota- letters of the Greek alphabet have been to the Roman mia. Two were found at - Alpha and Omega, a New world for the early Chris- Pompeii which would have Testament designation of of people, events, tians to come teaching about to date back to before 79 AD Christ God as "Our Father." In that when the city was destroyed. A life and faith from world, people felt, like so See how the words can be many do today, they were at spelled forwards and back- P wards in any column or line. the Church Across the Ages the mercy of fate, victims of A chance, dependent on luck, R O T A S T their destiny determined by E blind astrological forces. By R O P E R A Against All Odds contrast, Christian believers A PATERNOSTER O The Spread of the Early Church witnessed to a personal God O who could be approached as T E N E T S “our Father.” This radical T HOW did the early Chris- After the Apostle Paul, we idea liberated those who A R E P O E tian church survive? Hu- do not run across many “big were captive to fatalistic res- R manly speaking, the odds names” as missionaries in the ignation. S A T O R were all stacked against first few hundred years of O it. Christian history. Instead the faith spread through a multi- In another place Justin points out how those they became separated from their first-cen- It was unthinkable that a tude of humble, ordinary be- opposed to Christianity were sometimes tury association with the Jewish syna- small, despised move- lievers whose names have won over as they saw the consistency in the gogues, they lacked that institutional set- ment from a corner of been long forgotten. lives of believers, noting their extraordi- ting and ancient tradition to appeal to. Palestine could move out nary forbearance when cheated, and their to become the dominant honesty in business dealings. But what finally mattered is what they did To the cities! faith of the mighty Ro- have. They had a faith. They had a fellow- Early Christianity was pri- man Empire, an empire ship. They had a new way of life. They had marily an urban faith, estab- Care and Prayer steeped in fiercely de- a confidence that their Lord was alive in lishing itself in the city cen- Christians became known as those who fended traditional pagan cared for the sick. Many were known for heaven and guiding their daily lives. These ters of the Roman Empire. were the important things. And it made all religions. the healings that resulted from their prayers. JUSTIN MATYR, a leading second century Most of the people lived close Christians perhaps also started the first the difference in laying a Christian founda- Apologist for the faith, was a pagan phi- together in crowded tene- The spread of the Chris- losopher who was converted to Christ tion for all of Western civilization. ments. There were few se- “Meals on Wheels.” By the year 250, they tian church in its earliest through the witness of an old man by the were feeding more than 1500 of the hungry seashore. Justin wrote vigorously to clear crets in such a setting. The centuries is one of the and destitute in Rome every day. In many ways the spread of Christianity in up misunderstandings of the faith by Chris- faith spread as neighbors our present generation is as amazing as in most amazing phenom- tianity's opponents. He was martyred at saw the lives of the believers the first three centuries. For example, over ena in all of human his- Rome about 165. When Emperor Julian (“the Apostate”) close-up, on a daily basis. wanted to revive pagan religion in the mid- the past 40 years the church under the tory. The church was considered a religio 300s, he gave a most helpful insight into communist regime in China has multiplied prava an illegal and depraved religion. how the church spread. This opponent of many times over. Despite official opposi- Wave after wave of persecution was un- And what kind of lives did they lead? Jus- the faith said that Christianity “has been tion, they have developed a rapidly spread- leashed to squash it. At least two of the tin Martyr, a noted early Christian theolo- specially advanced through the loving serv- ing network of house churches that is remi- persecutions were empire-wide and in- gian, wrote to Emperor Antoninus Pius ice rendered to strangers and through their niscent of the early church. This success is tended to destroy the church. So how did and described the believers: “We formerly care of the burial of the dead. It is a scandal mirrored in many other places around the this young fledgling movement make it? rejoiced in uncleanness of life, but now love that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar globe. only chastity; before we used the magic More than a building arts, but now dedicate ourselves to the true and that the [Christians] care not only for Next time in GLIMPSES their own poor but for ours as well; while The earliest Christians did not have church and unbegotten God; before we loved Why were the Christians, whose distinc- buildings. They typically met in homes. those who belong to us look in vain for the tive was love, so hated and opposed by the money and possessions more than any- (The first actual church building to be found help we should render them.” Roman Empire? What were the accusa- thing, but now we share what we have and tions hurled against them? Some will sur- is at Dura Europos on the Euphrates, dating to everyone who is in need; before we hated On the surface, the early Christians ap- prise you. about 231.) They did not have public one another and killed one another and peared powerless and weak, they were an ceremonies that would introduce them to would not eat with those of another race, easy target for scorn and ridicule. They had GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian History the public. They had no access to the mass but now since the manifestation of Christ, no great financial resources, no buildings, Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone 215-584- media of their day. So how can we account we have come to a common life and pray no social status, no government approval, 1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright 1990 by for their steady and diverse expansion over Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. for our enemies and try to win over those no respect from the educators. And after the first three centuries? who hate us without just cause.” Here are the answers for the quiz on the not believe in killing. So there was some CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S Number #10 front side. Every item should have a check, validity to this charge, yet Christians af- Early Church and none an X. Numbers 2,5,and 9 could firmed their loyalty to the state, prayed for Opposition be said to be true in a sense, and therefore the emperor, and lived lives as exemplary could have a circle. citizens.

4. Anti-Family. There was an element of 9. Anti-social behavior. This was re- truth in this charge. When one became a lated to the charge above, since the Chris- of people, events, believer, he or she was welcomed into the tians would not participate in the civic fes- family of Christ. This new family became tivals nor involve themselves in what they life and faith from the Christian’s deepest commitment. The considered immoral behavior. Many Ro- new faith also typically made believers bet- mans resented their independence and their ter family members than they had been conviction that they were “in the world but the Church Across the Ages before. But when a conflict came up be- not of the world.” So Christians were often tween their natural family and the family of scorned and charged with anti-social be- Christ, first loyalty was to Christ. havior. A C C U S A T I O N S 5. Poverty. Christians were ridiculed by 10. Cause of Disasters. Because the Chris- the pagans because so many of their num- tians would not honor the Roman religions ber were poor. Their god was not all that and gods, when flood, famine, or disaster good, the pagans figured, if he didn’t care came, it was assumed that the Christians that they were poor. And he wasn’t all that were the cause. The gods were sending great if he didn’t do anything about it. The punishment, many Romans figured, be- Christians countered that there were ad- cause of the Christians’ atheism. This charge vantages to “traveling light.” Wealth could played a large role in the notable persecu- become a snare, and, besides, they were tion at Lyons in 177 under Emperor Marcus rich in what counted most in life. They Aurelius. Satirizing the prevailing view, somehow not only managed to find enough the church father Tertullian put it this way: to get by, but were even able to share with “If the Tiber reaches the walls, if the Nile others in need out of their meager resources. does not rise to the fields, if the sky doesn’t move or the earth does, if there is famine, if 6. Atheism. The Roman world had a there is plague, the cry is at once: The Chris- multitude of gods, and statues all around to tians to the lion.” represent them. Christians insisted there was only one true God, invisible in the Yes, A realThreat heavens, and they refused to honor the As you see, the Romans perceived the Chris- Roman gods. Thus the Romans considered tians as a threat. That is why they had so them atheists. many accusations. While many of the charges were frivolous and false, the Ro- 7. Novelty. The Roman world honored mans were right in perceiving the threat. “BEHOLD how the Lord’s body” tradition and the ancient religions were Christianity did pose a mortal danger to they love one and assumed there revered because they were old. Christian- many of the most deeply held assumptions another.” This was cannibalism ity was accused of being a new upstart. of the Roman world. In what ways does our was a hallmark going on behind Traditional Romans feared that converts present society see the church as a threat? of the early Christians. Yet these same closed doors. This accusation didn’t last were merely seduced by the novelty of this What are their charges against us? Which believers were the object of repeated perse- long, as the Christians were able to show new faith. Christians countered that they are valid and which are not? cutions and oppression for almost the first that it was bread and wine—not human were heirs of Judaism, an ancient faith the 300 years. Why were the believers so hated flesh—they were using. Romans recognized. Besides that, the Chris- Next Time in the Roman Empire? What were they tians claimed they were the most ancient How would you feel if you were forcibly guilty of? What were the charges against 2. Disruption of business. Guilty as faith of all—they worshiped the God who arrested, dragged before a raging crowd, them? charged. In some places the growth of the existed before creation. and ordered to blaspheme your God? If church hurt the income of the pagan relig- you refused, you would burn at the stake. Before you read any further, look at the ions by curtailing their sale of animals and 8. Lack of Patriotism. There was no This is what happened to a second-century “Wanted” poster that we made up. Put a sacrificial meat. (See also the disruption distinction between church and state in the bishop named Polycarp. He remained a check in front of those that you think the caused in Acts 19:21ff.) Roman Empire. All civic festivals were peaceful and powerful witness to the Lord. Christians were actually accused of. Put an religious. It was expected that all would Read about it next time in GLIMPSES. X in front of those you do not think they 3. Gross immorality including incest. participate and thank the gods for their were accused of. Circle the ones that you The believers called each other “brother” blessings to the empire. Christians would think they were actually guilty of. and “sister” and professed love for one another. The pagans assumed this had to not participate because it would imply they GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian History were worshiping gods they denied. This Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone 215-584- 1. Cannibalism. The Roman world could involve lust and immorality. The exem- would be idolatry. Further, Christians 1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright 1990 by not understand the communion or Eucha- plary lives of Christians eventually put this would not join the army because they did Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. rist. They heard references to “partaking of accusation to rest. CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S Number #11 How then can I blaspheme my King who REPLY: “You threaten fire that burns for Early Church has saved me?” an hour and is over. But the judgment on the ungodly is forever.” Martyrdom/Church Fathers The proconsul reached Polycarp for an acceptable way The fire was pre- out: “Then do this, old "Away with The Atheists!" pared. Polycarp man. Just swear by the There was a humorous moment in Poly- lifted his eyes to genius of the emperor carp's appearance in the arena. heaven and prayed: of people, events, and that will be suffi- The proconsul commanded him to say “Father, I bless you life and faith from cient.” (The “genius” "Away with atheists," refering to the that you have was sort of the “spirit” Christians who were considered atheists deemed me worthy of the emperor. To do because they didn't worship the Roman of this day and hour, the Church Across the Ages Gods. this would be a recog- that I might take a Polycarp pointed at the jeering mob and nition of the pagan cried out as instructed "Away with the portion of the mar- gods and religion.) atheists!" tyrs in the cup of Christ. . . .Among “I Am a Christian” REPLY: “If you imagine for a moment that these may I today be welcome before thy Polycarp’s Powerful Witness I would do that, then I think you pretend face as a rich and acceptable sacrifice.” that you don’t know who I am. Hear it were arresting a dan- plainly. I am a Christian.” As the fire engulfed him, the believers noted HAVE YOU EVER gerous criminal. Poly- that it smelled not so much like flesh burn- stood by while a loved carp’s friends wanted More entreaties. Polycarp stood firm. ing as a loaf baking. He was finished off one suffered from a to sneak him out, but with the stab of a dagger. His followers terrible illness or in- he refused, saying, The proconsul threatened him with the wild gathered his remains like precious jewels curable disease? You “God’s will be done.” beasts. and buried them on February 22, a day they know how much it (The Christians there set aside to be remembered. The year was hurt you, how help- taught that a believer REPLY: “Bring them forth. “I would change probably 155. In the strange way known to less you felt. Or how was not to make one- my mind if it meant going from the worse to the eyes of faith, it was as much a day of do you feel when one self available for mar- the better, but not to change from the right triumph as it was a day of tragedy. who has given you so tyrdom, and should to the wrong.” much that you hold These paragraphs are condensed from the precious in life suffers not seek it out, but nei- ther should he/she The proconsul’s patience was gone: “I will longer account that was compiled by the needlessly—from the avoid it when there have you burned alive.” Christians at Smyrna and sent as a letter to meanness and cruelty was no choice.) believers throughout the region. of others? Imagine what it was In one of the most like for the Christians touching instances of Happy Birthday! in Smyrna as they Christian grace imag- day they were “born” into the presence of Christians today generally think of Christ- watched their beloved Polycarp a Disciple of John was martyred about 155 inable, Polycarp wel- mas as the central birthday observance of God. and aged pastor, Poly- comed his captors as if the Christian church. But the early Chris- carp, burned to death in public—just be- they were friends, talked with them and tians had no Christmas celebration. We So the dates when great leaders and wit- cause he was a Christian. ordered that food and drink be served to and they do not even know exactly when nesses like Polycarp died were set aside as them. Then Polycarp made one request: Jesus was born, but scholars agree that it times for celebration, worship and remem- An aged witness one hour to pray before they took him bering their testimony. From such celebra- was sometime between 7 and 4 B.C. De- Polycarp was a personal disciple of the away. The officers overhearing his prayers tions the believers drew strength and cour- cember 25 as Christ’s birthdate was not Apostle John. As an old man, he was the (that went on for two hours) began to have age to face their own ordeals. introduced until the mid-300s. The celebra- bishop of the Church at Smyrna in Asia second thoughts. What were they doing tion of Christmas was introduced late in the Minor (present-day Turkey). Persecution arresting an old man like this? fourth century to adapt and replace Roman Next Time against the Christians broke out there and pagan festivals. Darkness turned to dawn for the church believers were being fed to the wild beasts “He has never done me wrong” with the rise of Emperor Constantine. His in the arena. The crowd began to call for the Despite the cries of the crowd, the Roman Easter was the important time of celebra- strange conversion and his military con- Christians’ leader, Polycarp. So the au- authorities saw the senselessness of mak- tion for the early church. But they also had quests took Christianity from horrendous thorities sent out a search party to bring ing this aged man a martyr. So when Poly- their “birthday” celebrations. Not Christ- persecution to empire-wide favor. Read him in. They tortured two slave boys to carp was brought into the arena, the pro- mas, but the dates of the martyrdoms of about it next time in GLIMPSES. reveal where Polycarp was being hidden. consul pled with him: “Curse Christ and I courageous believers who gave their lives will release you.” for the faith. These were the birthdays they GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian History Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone It was a Friday afternoon. Polycarp was cared about—for them, the day of martyr- 215-584-1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright resting upstairs in a country home. They REPLY: “Eighty-six years I have served dom was the “birthday” of the martyrs, the 1990 by Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. came in like a posse, fully armed as if they Him. He had never done me wrong. CHRISTIAN HISTORY INSTITUTE’S Constantine accepted the vision. He us of his great contributions to Christianity. Number #12 adopted the sign. He had the cross in- For instance, in 325 he convened and pre- Early Church scribed on his soldiers’ armor. He went sided over the Council of Nicea, an impor- Constantine into battle. Even though his forces were tant council that checked heresy and de- outnumbered, he won. fined orthodox doctrine. Beyond any doublt, he took great personal risks in his A new period espousal of Christianity. However, others After his momentous victory in the battle at see him as the catalyst that plunged the of people, events, the Milvian Bridge, it is safe to say that the church into a sad departure from biblical life and faith from world would never be same—and the faith and practice. church would never be the same. It is hard to miss the perplexing irony that a church “Constantinian Christianity” provided ben- the Church Across the Ages that had been largely pacifist, that long efits that have blessed the church down to survived as a suffering body, never cooked our own day. But it also brought many up any subversive political plots, and had temptations and raised questions about the never taken up arms, would find its right to true nature of the church. Some of these A Vision of Triumph exist established through a political and problems we are still facing. Constantine wins the day for Christianity military conquest. IT STILL STANDS IN battle with his oppo- New privileges ROME, the Milvian nent, another would- The church began to savor the first sweet Bridge, over the be emperor, the tyran- taste of secular power. Constantine patron- murky Tiber River. nical Maxentius. It ized the church with favors it had never Here the battle took was the greatest chal- known before. He moved toward making place that would be a lenge the gifted young Christianity the official religion of the em- critical milestone in general had ever pire. It didn’t happen all at once, of course. the unfolding of Chris- faced. The stakes were But a dramatic new course had been set. tian and European high: Who would Christianity had prevailed. It became the civilization. control the mightiest authorized faith of the Roman Empire by empire that had ever the end of the fourth century. And the more The report has been appeared up to that the political power of the empire waned, preserved even time on the face of the more the church became the stabilizing though it was written earth? and unifying source for the Roman society, almost 1700 years ago. outlasting the empire, and in a sense even- The writer was the AsConstantine tually replacing the empire. first really great histo- stopped to consider rian of the church (Dr. his battle plans, he re- New problems Saint Helena Cima da Conegliana c 1495 National Gallery of Luke excepted), alized he needed Art, Washington,D.C. Samuel H Kress Collection Constantine statue “Success” brings its own kind of problems. Bishop Eusebius of greater power than For the church, prestige and power proved Constantine's Mom Caesarea. He had no doubts whatsoever just military force. Maxentius was relying more precarious than the pressure of perse- The First "Christian Archeologist"? that the account he gives us is true. After on magical enchantments. But how should cution. The church spread more rapidly Helena, the emperor's mother was one of the Constantine pray? His father was a mono- most prominent women in Early Christianity. all, The Man was his friend—he told than it ever had before. It became easier, She was born into a humble family around 255 Eusebius personally all that had happened theist, believing there was only one God indeed fashionable, to become a Christian. and married Constantinius Chlorus. He and swore to him it was true. It’s an amaz- over all. Constantine saw that the pagan Accommodations were made to the pagan abandoned and divorced her for political ing and perplexing story, relating one of gods failed to protect their worshipers. So pasts of the new members. And sad to say, reasons in 292 to marry the step-daughter of those moments that redirects the stream of he sought his father’s God in prayer, plead- the church, which had known such pro- emperor Maximian. Constantine gave Helena ing for him to tell him who he was and to the honor due a "queen mother" and she history for centuries to come. longed oppression, did not shrink from became known as a devout Christian and took stretch forth his hand to help him. As he becoming an oppressor once in power. upon herself the task of finding and restoring The Man, Constantine. Here’s what hap- prayed (it was a little after noon), Con- historical sites sacred to Christianity. She pened. The last great persecutor of the stantine had an absobing vision. He saw Was Constantine a Christian? made pilgrimages to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, church, Diocletian, reformed the admini- the sign of the cross emblazoned across the and sponsored the building of churches there. Was Constantine truly a Christian or just a stration of the Roman Empire and appointed sky and the words In hoc signo vinces, “In She was creditied with finding the true cross this sign you will win.” political opportunist who saw the Chris- of Jesus, though most scholars doubt this. three co-rulers to govern with him. After Diocletian retired, there was a scramble for tian movement as the wave of the future, a Constantine was struck with amazement, power. One of the scramblers was a general good ally for his ambitions? Why did he along with his whole army (which also named Constantine, the son of one of Dio- put off his baptism until just before his GLIMPSES is published 12 times per year by Christian witnessed the miracle). That night in his death in 337? Some see him as God’s ap- History Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA. 19490. Telephone cletian’s co-rulers. 215-584-1893 Fax 215-584-4610. Ken Curtis Editor. Copyright sleep it was confirmed: this was the Christ pointed agent for the church. They remind 1990 by Christian History Institute. All rights reserved. of God he was dealing with. It was October, 312 A.D. Constantine and his troops marched toward Rome to do So went the report of Eusebius.