The RCC didn't come around until after Constatine. There was ONE organized church at the time and they split into the RCC and the Greek Orthadox over what language was to be used in church Latin vs Greek.
2007-08-03 04:24:01 · 13 answers · asked by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fifm LOL yeah I suppose it does
I think Christianity would still be around but there is no way it would be as wide spread as it is today if Constatine hadn't stepped in
2007-08-03 04:31:12 · update #1
I have read various answers, but one phrase I take issue with is this:
no longer be persecuted
The Roman Catholic Church, persecuted
REAL
Christians, and murdered many. The True church did not have religious freedom. The Roman Catholic Church, as much as many do not like what I will type, but I have to cry aloud against this type of false doctrine, is called in Revelation, the Beast out of the Sea. The book informs us that the, "church of 'GOD'', was in the wilderness.
2007-08-03 04:36:54 · answer #1 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"In simple terms, the term Catholic Church as it is used in this article refers specifically to the Church founded in Jerusalem by Jesus of Nazareth (c. AD 33) and led by an unbroken apostolic succession through St. Peter the Apostle, ruled by the Bishop of Rome as successor of St. Peter, now commonly known as the Pope." (Wikipedia, HIstory of the Roman Catholic Church) However, Constantine and the The First Nicene Counsil: "The Council of Nicaea was historically significant because it was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.[2] "It was the first occasion for the development of technical Christology."[2] Further, "Constantine in convoking and presiding over the council signaled a measure of imperial control over the church."[2] With the creation of the Nicene Creed, a precedent was established for subsequent general councils to create a statement of belief and canons which were intended to become guidelines for doctrinal orthodoxy and a source of unity for the whole of Christendom — a momentous event in the history of the Church and subsequent history of Europe." (Wikipedia, FIrst Council of Niceae)
And that is why people say that Constantine founded the Roman Catholic Church. While he may not have started it he paved the way by unifying doctrine and organizing its leaders (basically).
2007-08-03 12:29:56 · answer #2 · answered by bluebuttrfly04 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church has been around since the time of Jesus. The word "catholic" was first used to describe the church by St. Augustine around the year 100 AD.
Constantine ended the persecution of the Christian religion and asked the leaders of the Church to convene to settle some doctrinal issues. The only part that Constantine had in that council was to give the bishops a place to meet.
Christianity was made the state religion by Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I.
2007-08-03 11:39:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You are correct. The Catholic church did not start until the end of the 4th Century however, Constantine did pave the way for it. During the time before and right up to Constantines rule the Romans brutally persecuted Christians. Constantine simply ended the persecution and made Christianity legal.
2007-08-03 11:32:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Church has referred to itself as the “Catholic Church” at least since 107 C.E. (about 10 years after the last book of the New Testament was written), when the Greek term "Katholikos" (meaning universal) appears in the Letter of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans:
"Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church."
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-hoole.html
We do not know how long they had been using the term "Catholic" before it was included in this letter.
All of this was long before Constatine, the Council of Nicea and the Nicene Creed from 325 C.E. which states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm
With love in Christ.
2007-08-05 23:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome. This gave the Catholic Church legitimacy, more power, and allowed it no longer be persecuted. From this act the religion grew from a cult into what it is today.
With this act, it would have been just another cult. It slowly would have faded away.
2007-08-03 11:33:54 · answer #6 · answered by krupsk 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well he established the church, but you are right, the split happened afterwards and the Constantine church became orthodox. But we would have no Christian Churches if it weren't for him. God, it does show how one dam person can make such a big difference.
2007-08-03 11:29:32 · answer #7 · answered by fifimsp3 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Constantine did the major modifications to the bible and the religion, which most of them, still are used today. Not words of Jesus, but Constantine.
2007-08-03 11:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by Baphomet 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry but Jesus established the RRC over 2000 years ago. This is explicitly found in the Bible. They may not have used the name Catholic at the time because all Christians were Catholic( except Orthodox) until the Protestant Reformation.
2007-08-03 11:31:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
They're trying to claim that the Catholic Church originated with Constantine to deny that the Church originated with Christ, which is a complete falsehood.
The Catholic Church was founded by Christ 2,000 years ago and remains strong to this day.
2007-08-03 11:29:17 · answer #10 · answered by Danny H 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋