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To: MarkBsnr

LOL

The only “history” showing the RCC being around in the first century is that which has been made up by the RCC - which did not exist until the 4th century. There is no such thing as Apostolic Succession except for within the man-made doctrines of the RCC. There is no record of Jesus creating the RCC - He instituted His church by gathering together those He had redeemed.

How on Earth do you equate someone outside the RCC as the eunuch who cannot understand Scripture? This is ludicrous. The eunuch is a lost person who cannot understand spiritual Truth The RCC does not sit between God and anyone.

A TALE OF TWO BISHOPS

The degree of change which Constantine caused in the Church can be illustrated by looking at the lives of two Bishops of Rome. So let’s go back in history for about 100 years before Christianity became “politically correct,” to look at the life of Bishop Pontian. Then we will compare Pontian’s life with the life of Bishop Silvester, who lived during the time of Emperor Constantine.

(The following information about Bishops Pontian and Silvester comes from several sources. See Note 9.)

Pontian became the Bishop of Rome in the year 230 A.D. He was made bishop suddenly and unexpectedly when his predecessor was arrested and killed by Roman authorities.

On September 27, 235 A.D., Emperor Maximinus decreed that all Christian leaders were to be arrested. Christian buildings were burned, Christian cemeteries were closed, and the personal wealth of Christians was confiscated.

Bishop Pontian was arrested the same day. He was put in the Mamertine Prison, where he was tortured for ten days. Then he was sent to work in the lead mines of Sardinia.

The prisoners worked in the mines for 20 hours a day, with four one-hour breaks for sleep. They had one meal of bread and water per day. Most prisoners died within six to fourteen months from exhaustion, malnutrition, disease, beatings, infection, or violence.

Pontian only lasted four months. In January, 236 A.D., Pontian was killed and his body was thrown into the cesspool.

What happened to Pontian was not unusual. Many Christians were sent to the Sardinian lead mines, or persecuted in other ways. If a man accepted the position of being a Christian leader, he knew that his life from that time on was likely to be short and painful. There were 14 Bishops of Rome in the 79 years between the arrest of Pontian and the coronation of Silvester.

In 314 A.D., Emperor Constantine crowned Silvester as Bishop of Rome. Silvester lived in luxury, with servants waiting on him. Constantine confessed his sins to Silvester and asked for his advice. Silvester presided over worldwide Church councils. He had a splendid palace and a sumptuous cathedral. He had power, prestige, wealth, pomp, and the favor of the Emperor.

Churchmen wore purple robes, reflecting the purple of Constantine’s court. That was an external change. The most important change was an internal one. The Church took on the mentality of Rome. Under Silvester, the internal structure of the Church took on the form and practice and pomp of Rome.

Silvester died in December, 336 A.D. He died peacefully, in a clean, comfortable bed, in the Roman Lateran Palace. He died surrounded by well dressed bishops and priests, and attended by Roman guards. His body was dressed in ceremonial robes, put in an elegant casket, and carried through the streets of Rome in a solemn procession. He was buried with honor and ceremony, attended by the cream of Roman society and by the Roman people.

It is understandable that many Christians would have preferred an officially approved status for the Church. But what was the result?

Before Constantine, the church was a band of heroic men and women who were so committed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ that they would endure any hardship. After 314 A.D., the Church became infiltrated by opportunists who were seeking power and political advancement. Church leaders were no longer in danger of persecution. Rather, they enjoyed all the trappings of power and luxury.

Historian Paul Johnson asks, “Did the empire surrender to Christianity, or did Christianity prostitute itself to the empire?” [Note 9]

The temptation for an ungodly alliance with Rome was very great. But at what cost?

1. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church” (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981), pages 31-33. A major theme of this book is the radical change which occurred in the Church as a result of Constantine. The author was a Catholic priest and a theologian.

2. Paul Johnson, “A History of Christianity” (New York: Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, 1995), pages 67-68. Paul Johnson is a Catholic and a prominent historian.

3. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church,” page 33; and Paul Johnson, “A History of Christianity,” page 67. Information about the days of the week being named for pagan gods and goddesses can be found in a good dictionary. Look up each day of the week, and “Saturn”. I used “Webster’s Dictionary,” 1941 edition, which gives the origins of words.

4. Paul Johnson, “A History of Christianity,” pages 68-69.

5. Paul Johnson, “A History of Christianity,” page 69.

6. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church,” pages 33-34.

7. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church,” pages 34-35.

8. James G. McCarthy, “The Gospel According to Rome” (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1995), pages 231-232. James McCarthy is a former Catholic

9. Claudio Rendina, “The Popes: Histories and Secrets” (Santa Ana, California: Seven Locks Press, 2002), pages 29 and 41-45. Richard P. McBrien, “Lives of the Popes” (San Francisco, California: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997), pages 45-46 and 57-58. Hans Kung (translated by John Bowden), “The Catholic Church: A Short History” (New York: Modern Library: 2001, 2003), pages 33-44. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church,” pages 19-38. Paul Johnson, “A History of Christianity,” pages 67-69 and 99-103. (The quotation is from page 69.)


389 posted on 01/29/2008 4:27:17 PM PST by Manfred the Wonder Dawg (Test ALL things, hold to that which is True.)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg

DEAR DEAR BRO,

You’re about to bring tears to my eyes yet again.

Thanks for your excellent post of authentic UNRUBBERIZED history.

I’m not so diligent at all about digging such stuff up.

I’ve read enough to know the broad outlines of such truths and have had them confirmed in my sprit as well as with my cursory readings. But it’s a great welcome blessing to see such a scholarly input as yours I’m replying to.

Thanks enormously.

Blessings to you and yours this New Year.


395 posted on 01/29/2008 4:53:47 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg

Before Constantine, the church was a band of heroic men and women who were so committed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ that they would endure any hardship. After 314 A.D., the Church became infiltrated by opportunists who were seeking power and political advancement. Church leaders were no longer in danger of persecution. Rather, they enjoyed all the trappings of power and luxury.

Historian Paul Johnson asks, “Did the empire surrender to Christianity, or did Christianity prostitute itself to the empire?” [Note 9]

The temptation for an ungodly alliance with Rome was very great. But at what cost?

1. Malachi Martin, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Church” (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981), pages 31-33. A major theme of this book is the radical change which occurred in the Church as a result of Constantine. The author was a Catholic priest and a theologian.

= = =

INDEED.

Such an excellent post and set of REFS. Thanks.


407 posted on 01/29/2008 5:38:17 PM PST by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg

Jesus created the Catholic Church. I’m not sure of what you mean by the RCC.

The eunuch was unable to discern Scripture until taught by the Church. It is extremely apparent that that condition still applies. All those outside the Church are to be considered as eunuchs, well at least they give the theological appearance of eunuchs.

I notice that you give extreme credence to Malachi Martin. Do a little research on him before you parade him as a Catholic standard, if you would?


434 posted on 01/29/2008 7:05:20 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg

GREAT POST! Thanks.


456 posted on 01/29/2008 7:30:24 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg

Interesting, how does this disprove the fact that the Chruch is what it says it is? If Constinten was so important to the Church why isn’t he a saint?


461 posted on 01/29/2008 7:43:53 PM PST by conservonator (spill czeck is knot my friend)
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