First Century Church
Speedbumps
Flavius Valerius Constantinus
(AD c 285 - AD 337)
Constantine was raised by
a Christian mother and
grew up seeing the
persecution of other
Christians.
He converted to
Christianity after seeing
what he described as a
cross in the sky.
First Century Church
Speedbumps
The symbol is called the “Kai Rho” Which is taken from the first two letters
of the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ which is pronounced KRISTOS
Constantine not only established Christianity as an acceptable faith. He
proclaimed it the national faith of all Rome.
What this meant was that, in order to rule or have any authority in politics, one must be a
Christian.
1. Produced superficial Christians
Good for the Christians once
persecuted. But this form of
government had some set backs.
2. Caused political and economical
problems when people had
religious disagreements.
First Century Church
Arius
c 256 AD – 336 AD
Presbyter (Priest) in the Church in
Alexandria Egypt.
Taught against Trinitarians (the Triune nature of God). Due to
his belief that God was not Triune he made deductions based
solely on Science and a world view.
Arius taught:
• Jesus was a created being
• Jesus was less than the Father
• There was a time when Jesus
did not exist.
This was considered heretical by most and caused great division in the Church.
First Century Church
Ecumenical Council of Nicaea
325 AD
Called by Emperor Constatine
Currently Lznik, Turkey.
Bishops from around the known
world, gathered for several months
& examined the scriptures for
understanding of the nature of
Jesus.
What was produced, was the
Nicaean Creed aka. The Apostles
Creed.
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Homoousios (ὁμοούσιος )
“One Substance” or “Same Being”
In going through the scriptures, majority of the Bishops agreed
that Jesus was begotten of the Father but that he made himself
less for a time so that mankind could be saved through his
sacrifice.
Emperor Constantine suggested that the word Homoousios
(One Substance) best described the relationship between Jesus
and the Father.
Several Bishops refused to sign the creed and where excommunicated from the church.
Others, who remained Arian, signed and kept quite… For a time.
First Century Church
Athanasius of Alexandria
c 296 AD – 373 AD
Athanasius Contra Mundum (Athanasius against the World).
At the Council of Nicaea at the age of 27 he was a Presbyter and
assistant to the Bishop of Alexandria.
3 years after the they returned to Alexandria, the Bishop died
and Athanasius was appointed Bishop.
Very quickly, Athanasius was under attack. Emperor
Constantine felt remorse for excommunicating Arius and his
followers and requested Athanasius reinstate him in the Church
as a Presbyter again.
Athanasius: Not gonna happen!
As a result of his disobedience, Emperor Constantine excommunicates him.
First Century Church
Athanasius: In response to his exile, he becomes an evangelistic
missionary teaching on the triune nature of God and the quality
of Jesus Christ.
Constantine tries to appoint another Bishop but the people of
the Church reject him and so Constantine invites Athanasius to
return as Bishop.
Soon after returning, Constantine trumps up charges against
Athanasius of MURDER!
The charges were eventually dropped though because the man
that was supposed to be murdered was found walking in town
and had no idea he was supposed to be dead.
Constantine dies and his son Constantius becomes Emperor.
Due to it’s now political nature he desires Peace in the Church and sets out
to make it so.
First Century Church
Ever hear of the phrase “one iota”?
Constantious set out to make peace at any means.
He took the Nicaean creed word ( Homoousious ) and inserted one
letter.
An iota.
ηομοουσιος = Homoousious
One Substance
ηομοιουσιος= Homoiousious
Similar Substance
Athanasious: Over my dead body!
Constantious excommunicates Athanasius again and sets out to have him killed.
Athanasius lives out the remainder of his life living in his fathers mausoleum but writes
majority of his books while in exile teaching and professing the deity of Jesus Christ.
First Century Church
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."