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Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 9:39:00 AM
From: Barnabus	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 39621

You're on a quirky course my friend. Have you ever read Fox's book of martyrs? James Santiago Brightstar is on a quest He embraces Paul, but not all the rest "Jesus has come" And we are dumb Will his new-found theology stand the test? Go Hal Lindsey and go Billy Graham What you preach is really a sham Jesus has already come According to some You need to get a new diagram It boggles the mind What you find Life is a pilgrimage from ones birth to death Help me Lord to stay on your path as long as I have breath Have a sensational Dispensational Post Labor day I say OMB

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 4:16:00 PM
From: Brumar89	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 39621

What you write about Constantine is correct. But this doesn't address the question I raised is which is how Christianity continued on earth immediately after the second coming. I'm not trying to make you change your mind, but merely want to know how one who believes as you do explains the obvious questions. Here's another along the same line: There was a Christian leader named Clement who wrote a letter to the Christian church at Corinth in or around the year 96 AD. Now Clement had lived through the period when the preterists claim the second coming occurred and he apparently didn't notice the second coming, didn't ascend to heaven, and continued to expect the return of Jesus decades after preterists say it happened. How would preterists explain Clement?

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 7:44:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

"Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity for the Roman Empire. It is well known that many heathen religions were incorporated into Christianity although they were used to worshiping many gods. It was acceptable that Constantine adopted many of their practices in order to keep every one happy. The Emporer was hardly a Christian, as he was baptised on his deathbed. Constantine claimed to be a Christian! The testimony of his Christian friends claimed that he was. Eusebius(260-326AD), the father of Church History and Bishop of Caesarea, was a personal friend of Constantine and claims that he was a Christian. To judge one as non-Christian who openly professes Christ is a dangerous thing.

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 7:48:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine By Eusebius Pamphilus.(Personal friend of Constantine) Chapter XXVIII. How, While He Was Praying, God Sent Him a Vision of a Cross of Light in the Heavens at MID-Day, with an Inscription Admonishing Him to Conquer by that. Accordingly he called on him with earnest prayer and supplications that he would reveal to him who he was, and stretch forth his right hand to help him in his present difficulties. And while he was thus praying with fervent entreaty, a most marvelous sign appeared to him from heaven, the account of which it might have been hard to believe had it been related by any other person. But since the victorious emperor himself long afterwards declared it to the writer of this history,60 when he was honored with his acquaintance and society, and confirmed his statement by an oath, who could hesitate to accredit the relation, especially since the testimony of after-time has established its truth? He said that about noon, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, Conquer by this. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle.61

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 7:55:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

Chapter XXIX. How the Christ of God Appeared to Him in His Sleep, and Commanded Him to Use in His Wars a Standard Made in the Form of the Cross. He said, moreover, that he doubted within himself what the import of this apparition could be. And while he continued to ponder and reason on its meaning, night suddenly came on; then in his sleep the Christ of God appeared to him with the same sign which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens, and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies. Chapter XXX. The Making of the Standard of the Cross. At dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing. Chapter XXXI. A Description of the Standard of the Cross, Which the Romans Now Call the Labarum.62 Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this,63 the symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre:64 and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period. From the cross-bar of the spear was suspended a cloth,65 a royal piece, covered with a profuse embroidery of most brilliant precious stones; and which, being also richly interlaced with gold, presented an indescribable degree of beauty to the beholder. This banner was of a square form, and the upright staff, whose lower section was of great length,66 bore a golden half-length portrait67 of the pious emperor and his children on its upper part, beneath the trophy of the cross, and immediately above the embroidered banner. The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies.

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 7:56:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

Chapter XXXII. How Constantine Received Instruction, and Read the Sacred Scriptures. These things were done shortly afterwards. But at the time above specified, being struck with amazement at the extraordinary vision, and resolving to worship no other God save Him who had appeared to him, he sent for those who were acquainted with the mysteries of His doctrines, and enquired who that God was, and what was intended by the sign of the vision he had seen. They affirmed that He was God, the only begotten Son of the one and only God: that the sign which had appeared was the symbol of immortality,68 and the trophy of that victory over death which He had gained in time past when sojourning on earth. They taught him also the causes of His advent, and explained to him the true account of His incarnation. Thus he was instructed in these matters, and was impressed with wonder at the divine manifestation which had been presented to his sight. Comparing, therefore, the heavenly vision with the interpretation given, he found his judgment confirmed; and, in the persuasion that the knowledge of these things had been imparted to him by Divine teaching, he determined thenceforth to devote himself to the reading of the Inspired writings. Moreover, he made the priests of God his counselors, and deemed it incumbent on him to honor the God who had appeared to him with all devotion. And after this, being fortified by well-grounded hopes in Him, he hastened to quench the threatening fire of tyranny.

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 7:59:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

After his conversion, Constantine proclaims the Gospel to the pagan Romans. The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine By Eusebius Pamphilus. Chapter XLI. Rejoicings Throughout the Provinces; And Constantine's Acts of Grace. Thus the pious emperor, glorying in the confession of the victorious cross, proclaimed the Son of God to the Romans with great boldness of testimony. And the inhabitants of the city, one and all, senate and people, reviving, as it were, from the pressure of a bitter and tyrannical domination, seemed to enjoy purer rays of light, and to be born again into a fresh and new life. All the nations, too, as far as the limit of the western ocean, being set free from the calamities which had heretofore beset them, and gladdened by joyous festivals, ceased not to praise him as the victorious, the pious, the common benefactor: all, indeed, with one voice and one mouth, declared that Constantine had appeared by the grace of God as a general blessing to mankind. The imperial edict also was everywhere published, whereby those who had been wrongfully deprived of their estates were permitted again to enjoy their own, while those who had unjustly suffered exile were recalled to their homes. Moreover, he freed from imprisonment, and from every kind of danger and fear, those who, by reason of the tyrant's cruelty, had been subject to these sufferings.

To: Jamey who wrote (26668)	9/7/1999 8:06:00 PM
From: Emile Vidrine	Respond to of 39621

Constantine's letter to Eusebius: Chapter XLVI. Constantine's Letter to Eusebius and Other Bishops, Respecting the Building of Churches, with Instructions to Repair the Old, and Erect New Ones on a Larger Scale, with the Aid of the Provincial Governors. "Victor Constantinus, Maximus Augustus, to Eusebius. "Forasmuch as the unholy and willful rule of tyranny has persecuted the servants of our Saviour until this present time, I believe and have fully satisfied myself, best beloved brother, that the buildings belonging to all the churches have either become ruinous through actual neglect, or have received inadequate attention from the dread of the violent spirit of the times. "But now, that liberty is restored, and that serpent34 driven from the administration of public affairs by the providence of the Supreme God, and our instrumentality, we trust that all can see the efficacy of the Divine power, and that they who through fear of persecution or through unbelief have fallen into any errors, will now acknowledge the true God, and adopt in future that course of life which is according to truth and rectitude. With respect, therefore, to the churches over which you yourself preside, as well as the bishops, presbyters, and deacons of other churches with whom you are acquainted, do you admonish all to be zealous in their attention to the buildings of the churches, and either to repair or enlarge those which at present exist, or, in cases of necessity, to erect new ones. "We also empower you, and the others through you, to demand what is needful for the work, both from the provincial governors and from the Praetorian Praefect. For they have received instructions to be most diligent in obedience to your Holiness's orders. God preserve you, beloved brother." A copy of this charge was transmitted throughout all the provinces to the bishops of the several churches: the provincial governors received directions accordingly, and the imperial statute was speedily carried into effect.