Constantine changed the Scriptural method of becoming a ChristianPrior to the time of Constantine, a person became a Christian through conversion or the new birth....It was the BLOOD of Jesus that washed away sins . . . of which water was just a TYPE or SYMBOL in the Old Testament.Baptism by triune immersion in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit followed conversion.Constantine waited until just before his death to be baptized, because he believed that baptism washes away sins, and makes one a Christian. This was a typical pagan belief found throughout the Old World and the New:For washing is the channel through which they are initiated into some sacred rites— of some notorious Isis or Mithras. The gods themselves likewise they honour by washings. Moreover, by carrying water around, and sprinkling it, they everywhere expiate country-seats, houses, temples, and whole cities: at all events, at the Apollinarian and Eleusinian games they are baptized; and they presume that the effect of their doing that is their regeneration and the remission of the penalties due to their perjuries. Among the ancients, again, whoever had defiled himself with murder, was wont to go in quest of purifying waters. (Tertullian, On Baptism, Anti-Nicene Christian Library, vol. II, chap. 5).Constantine murdered his wife and son, so like a typical pagan, he believed that baptism would wash away the guilt of his crimes.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 07:05:25 +0000
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