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To: RightWhale
A good read is here

"Rome's famous Arch of Constantine was completed in time for the beginning of Constantine's decennalia (the tenth anniversary of his acclamation). [[17]] There were all manner of festivities, but Constantine pointedly omitted the traditional sacrifices to the pagan gods. "

"Whatever vision Constantine may have experienced, he attributed his victory to the power of "the God of the Christians" and committed himself to the Christian faith from that day on, although his understanding of the Christian faith at this time was quite superficial. It has often been supposed that Constantine's profession of Christianity was a matter of political expediency more than of religious conviction; upon closer examination this view cannot be sustained. Constantine did not receive baptism until shortly before his death (see below). It would be a mistake to interpret this as a lack of sincerity or commitment; in the fourth and fifth centuries Christians often delayed their baptisms until late in life.[[14]] "

53 posted on 11/13/2006 11:51:45 AM PST by jpsb
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To: jpsb

Yes. The essence of Christianity is in the annointing or baptism, which often is the naming ceremony. Sprinkle, dunk, or oil, it's not official until that.


54 posted on 11/13/2006 11:55:26 AM PST by RightWhale (RTRA DLQS GSCW)
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