MLA Sample Role Of Emperor Constantine In Christianity

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Role of Emperor Constantine in Christianity

Introduction

Roman emperor, Constantine I was very instrumental in the development of the early

church. He was the Roman Empire in a period at which Christians were persecuted and killed

by other religions because of their beliefs. Prior to his conversion, Constantine was a pagan

and believed in worshipping other gods and idols until he decided to worship one Supreme

God who would make him conquer his battles against his enemies in the empire. His

conversion shaped the doctrines and formed the foundation of Christians’ beliefs today. As

the most powerful person in the entire empire, his conversion enabled Christians in the

Roman Empire to enjoy their freedom, and the persecution ceased. Before Constantine, other

emperors believed that Christians were only respectful and obeyed their God only as opposed

to their leaders. They believed that Christian teachings opposed their superiority and placed

God as the controller of everything ion the universe which led to their persecution. Emperor

Constantine was however of a different view, and he converted to Christianity which was a

major breakthrough for Christians all over the world. Christians were considered as atheists,

incestuous, and cannibals by the Roman Empires, and their religion was outlawed.

Constantine I changed everything and provided a platform through which the early Christian

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church could grow and develop without any intimidation to its followers or persecution.

Before Constantine conversion, the church endured lots of suffering for three centuries, and

the followers were able to persevere in all the persecution making the church to grow and

spread. With his conversion, it gave more power to the believers as they were able to spread

the gospel without fear making many people embrace Christianity (Everett, 90).

Constantine choice of Christianity over other religions

Maxentius was the Roman emperor before Constantine took over from him.

Constantine observed that Maxentius worshipped many gods and believed in magical

enchantments throughout his rule in Rome. With all the magicians and many gods, Maxentius

Empire failed which implies that the magicians and pagan gods were not powerful enough to

protect his empire. He also observed that those emperors who had believed and put all their

faith in pagan gods and offered those offerings and sacrifices all suffered the same fate. They

were all deceived by the prophets and oracles given by their seers. They were later destroyed

leading to the fall of their empire even without warning. They were flattered that their empire

would prosper forever only to be subdued by their enemies. With that in mind, Constantine

decided to seek power and guidance from a more powerful God who could protect him and

shield his empire from his enemies. He needed a powerful God who could even protect him in

the absence of his military soldiers. He settled on Christians’ Supreme God and declared that

he was more powerful than any other god. He believed that Supreme God would fight his

battles as he was all powerful, unshakable and invincible.

He converted to Christianity which gave an affirmation to other people that

Christianity was the way to go for him and his empire. Constantine’s father was a Christian,

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and he had believed and worshipped one Supreme God in his entire life. He noted that it was

his father who had protected and saved his empire from possible collapse. He deduced that it

was the God of his father that was responsible for the protection of his empire and he thus

decided to worship that God in his ruling. Many people converted to Christianity to show

their honor to their emperor which led to the growth of the church and Christianity at large.

His decision to worship God alone made other people in his empire to follow his idea and

embrace Christianity (Leithart, 126).

Emperor Constantine Vision and dream

The emperor was a prayerful person, and he requested God to reveal himself to him.

He prayed to God to help him to lead his empire and intervene in the difficulties he was

facing as an emperor. It is claimed that God showed him the sign of the cross in heaven

during his prayers. It was revealed to him that through the power of the cross, he would

conquer all his enemies and solve his difficulties. His army was present during the vision and

they all witnessed by themselves. Through that vision, many people believed that there is

indeed one Supreme God in heaven and it is through him that they would be able to overcome

all their suffering. The vision enabled many people to convert to Christianity and upheld

Christianity. The conversion led to the growth and development of the church in Rome and all

over the world.

The emperor pondered about the meaning and significance of the cross in heaven for

the whole day. As night came, he saw Jesus Christ, Son of God, who appeared to him with the

same sign he had seen in heaven. He was commanded to use the sign of the cross to defeat all

his enemies. Through the dream, the church foundation and doctrine were grounded and

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affirmed. Christian’s beliefs and the assertion that Christ of God resurrected was reassured.

He ordered individuals who were working in the gold and in other precious stones to make a

standard and structure of the sign of the cross. The structure laid the background for the

conversion of many people in the empire. Many non-believers were able to convert to

Christianity because of that testimony from their emperor (Leithart, 42). Their beliefs

contributed to the spread of Christianity in Rome and all over the world which led to the

growth and development of the early church.

Constantine invitation of the church leaders

The emperor invited the church leaders who knew the doctrines of the Christian faith.

He enquired from them the meaning of his vision and the dream. The church affirmed to the

emperor that what he had seen had indeed come from Supreme God. He told them that the

sign of Jesus Christ implied about his immortality. It was supposed to show that Jesus Christ

was powerful and he was able to conquer death since he resurrected from the dead. They also

taught him about Jesus Christ birth, death, and resurrection. They also taught him about his

incarnation and birth by a virgin. The doctrine forms the basis of Christians’ faith. The

emperor was able to relate his dream and vision to what the church taught him. He noted that

he had followed the right path by believing in Christianity. To ensure the growth and

continuity of his faith, he made the priest his advisers. As the advisers, they helped the early

church to grow and spread all over Rome. Through their advice, the emperor destroyed all the

pagan gods. He banned the people from giving any offerings or any sacrifice to the pagan

gods (Smither, 20). The ban was very instrumental in shaping the spread of Christianity, and

many people embraced the Christian religion. The ban asserted the Emperor’s willingness and

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passion in converting his people towards Christianity. It also helped in the growth of the

church as the church was able to hold crusades and spread the gospel without any fear of

persecution.

Building of churches and honoring God’s bishops

Emperor Constantine built many churches all over Rome which provided a platform

for the Christians to exercise their faith and worship their Supreme God. He spent lots of time

with church bishops which gave him guidance on how he was supposed to lead his empire. He

honored them and regarded them as the true ministers of the True God. Regardless of their

simple and plain dressing, the emperor allowed the church leaders on his table which sent a

strong message to non-believers all over his empire and in the world. His treatment of the

church leaders overjoyed Christians, and they were able to spread the gospel across Rome.

His treatment towards the church showed his approval of Christian teachings and doctrines

which led to the conversion of many non-Christians. He also invited the church leaders to

accompany him in all his visits which showed his respect towards the religion. To show his

commitment, he contributed lots of money from his personal savings towards the growth of

the church. It was through such contribution that Christians were able to construct many

churches all over Rome which led to the growth of the early church. The money was also used

to decorate churches and attract many non-Christians who embraced Christianity. He also

attended Bishop Conference to help the church grow. He also intervened and helped the

church in resolving their conflicts. Peaceful coexistence and running of the church enhanced

the growth of the church which led to its early development (Ferguson, 50).

Leading by example

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As the emperor, he led by example and ensured that everyone saw his Christian faith

and believes through his actions. He donated his money, clothing, and food towards the poor

whether they were Christians or non-Christians. His actions portrayed exemplarity Christian

living and many people converted to Christianity because of his generosity. He abolished

slavery and persecution of his people in his empire. He accorded everyone his freedom which

showed the doctrines that Christians taught. Many people converted due to his actions

(Smither, 40).

Conclusion

Constantine conversion to Christianity had far-reaching implications towards shaping

the doctrines and lives of many Christians in Rome during that period and present. His

conversion marked a great victory for good and evil in the society and victory for the spread

of Christianity in Rome and all over the world. His conversion won a great battle between

Christians and pagans and laid the foundation and doctrines of Christianity and the early

church. Christianity shaped his life and formed the foundation of his rulings. His conversion

also established new religion and doctrines for many centuries to come.

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Work cited

Ferguson Everett. Early church at work and worship: Worship, Eucharist, music, and Gregory of

Nyssa. Eugene: cascade books, 2017. Print

Ferguson Everett. The early church at work and worship. Oregon: Cascade books, 2013. Print.

Leithart Peter J. Defending Constantine: the twilight of an empire and the dawn of Christendom.

Downers Grove III: IVP academic, 2010. Print.

Smither Edward L. rethinking Constantine: History, theology, and legacy. Eugene: Pickwick

publications, 2014. Print.

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