History of the Sabbath Part 2

Transcription

1 History of the Sabbath Part 2

2 Why Study Sabbath History? We will better appreciate what we have We will better understand our future

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4 The Reign of Constantine 313 AD, he was established as ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire; his brother in law Licinius was established over the East

5 Edict of Milan (313) it ought to be granted to the judgment and desire of each individual to perform his religious duties according to his own choice, we had given orders that every man, Christian as well as others, should preserve the faith of his own sect and religion

6 Edict of Milan (313) for the benefit of every one; namely, such as should preserve reverence and piety toward the deity. We resolved, that is, to grant both to the Christians and to all men freedom to follow the religion which they choose, that whatever heavenly divinity exists may be propitious to us and to all that live under our government

7 Edict of Milan (313) each one should have the liberty of choosing and worshiping whatever deity he pleases. This has been done by us in order that we might not seem in any way to discriminate against any rank or religion...

8 Fourth Century Perspective Christians had been persecuted off and on from 64 AD until 313 AD. Constantine s edict was met with warm enthusiasm But it caused some to elevate him higher than he should have been elevated

9 May 15, 319 AD He decreed that soothsayers and priests of the pagan Roman religion were forbidden to enter private homes. However, he encouraged people to approach the public altars of the gods to celebrate pagan customs (CT: )

10 March 7, 321 AD All judges, city dwellers, skill workers, and the offices of all should honor the venerable day of the sun and rest. However, those placed in the country freely serve the fields of culture (CJ )

11 March 8, 321 AD Constantine received a law allowing the pagan soothsayers to enter buildings where lightning had struck (CT: )

12 Another Sunday Law We don t know the exact date Inscription found in a Slavonian bath house Constantine relaxed the Sunday rest law for pagan Roman market days (nundinae)

13 The Council of Nicea 325 AD Licinius revolted against Constantine, but was defeated in 324 AD One of Constantine s first actions was to end some disputes among Christians He called the Council of Nicea in 325

14 Council of Nicea a discussion of all particulars relating to our most holy religion to take place.so that no room was left for further discussion or controversy in relation to the faith (Life of Constantine, book 3, chapter 17).

15 Council of Nicea Trinity asserted as truth No mention of the Sabbath A group called Arians were condemned Forbade Christians from keeping Passover in a manner similar to the Jewish people

16 Council of Nicea And first of all, it appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled their hands with enormous sin, and are, therefore, deservedly afflicted with blindness of soul (Vita, 18)

17 Council of Nicea all the brethren in the East who have heretofore kept this festival when the Jews did, will henceforth conform to the Romans and to us (Socr. Church History, bk 1, ch 9)

18 Council of Nicea And in addition to this, if any treatise composed by Arius should be discovered, let it be consigned to the flames, in order that not only his depraved doctrine may be suppressed, but also that no memorial of him may be by any means left (Socrates, Hist. bk 1:9)

19 Dangerous Precedent Nicea the first time a person was faced with punishment just because they had a different view of the Bible

20 Empire and Church become intertwined During the reign of Constantine, the Roman Empire and the Roman Church (Roman Catholic Church) became interwoven or intertwined

21 Pontifex Maximus An ancient pagan title which gave a person control over religious matters in Rome Constantine held this title

22 Church and State Constantine started paying the expenses of Church Councils (Eusebius, History, 10:6) By law, people were allowed to leave property to the Roman Church at death (CT: ) The Roman Church was granted special privileges (such as exemptions from normally required public service). All other Christian groups were not allowed these privileges (CT: ).

23 Church and State He regulated the number of clergy in Christianity (CT: ). The wealthy were prevented from serving in the clergy; only the poor could serve in those positions (CT: ). Secular judges were forced to enforce the decisions of Catholic Bishops; when such a bishop testified, their witness was considered supreme and voided all others (CS: 1).

24 End Result The Roman Church became an institution of the state Unfortunately, many Christians did not oppose this.

25 AD Constantine required a Temple to be built to worship the Flavian line of Roman Emperors, which included his own family. A temple was ordered to be constructed and priests appointed for its service

26 Summary of Constantine s reign Constantine passed a law which made Sunday a day of civil rest in the Roman Empire Still promoted paganism Nicea promoted keeping Passover on Sunday instead of Biblical reckoning

27 Summary of Constantine s reign Interwove Roman Empire with Roman Church We will look at the long-term fruit of his reign later

28 Constantine s Death Constantine died in 337. Before his death, he was baptized by an Arian believer. He showed favor towards them at the end of his life.

29 Constantine s sons After the death of Constantine, the Empire was left to his three sons: Constantius, Constans, and Constantine II Of these three, Constantius would have the greatest influence and rule the longest He was a devoted Arian believer

30 Constantius There were no Sunday laws passed during the reign of Constantius Laws against paganism were passed

31 Constantius He commanded all pagan temples to be closed (CT: ) People who offered sacrifices or bowed to idols were put to death (CT: )

32 AD Constantius died in 361. There were two short reigns after his by Julian and Jovian, who ended up being pro-roman Catholic During this time, a Council at Laodicea was held

33 Laodicea (363/364) Canon 16: On Sabbath [Saturday], the Gospels and other portions of the Scripture shall be read aloud.

34 Laodicea (363/364) Canon 29: Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day; but the Lord s day they shall especially honour, and, as being Christians, shall if possible, do no work on that day. If, however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ.

35 Laodicea (363/364) Canon 37: No one shall accept festal presents from Jews and heretics, or keep the festivals with them.

36 Understanding Church Councils When the Roman Catholic Church hosts a church council, it is reflective of their point of view and what they wish to impose upon Christians However, it does not mean instant compliance occurred

37 Valens AD Valens was Roman Emperor He was an Arian supporter Between he and Constantius, all houses of prayer were given to Arians in the Eastern Roman Empire

38 Valens AD Brutal man Remember that Constantine set the precedent of punishing people who belonged to a different view of Christianity Later rulers continued this Valens persecuted the Roman Church

39 379 AD 379 Valens dies Arians are at the height of their influence At this period all the churches of the East, with the exception of that of Jerusalem, were in the hands of the Arians (Sozomen, Church History, Book 7, chapter 2).

40 379 AD The Arians, who were still very strong in point of numbers, and who, through the protection formerly granted by Constantius and Valens, were still convening without fear, and discoursing publicly concerning God and the Divine nature (ibid, 7:6).

41 379 Theodosius 379 Theodosius becomes Eastern Roman Emperor He hears the perspective of different Christian groups and sides with the Roman Church In 380, he passed a law which forced everyone to become Roman Catholic

42 Theodosius CT: To the residents of Constantinople: It is our will that all the peoples whom the government of our clemency rules shall follow that religion which a pious belief from Peter to the present declares the holy Peter delivered to the Romans

43 Theodosius CT: and which it is evident the Pontiff Damascus and Peter, bishop of Alexandria, a man of apostolic sanctity, follow ; that is, that according to the apostolic discipline and evangelical doctrine we believe in the deity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit of equal majesty in a holy trinity

44 Theodosius CT: Those who follow this law we command shall be comprised under the name of Catholic Christians; but others, indeed, we require, as insane and raving, to bear the infamy of heretical teaching;

45 Theodosius CT: their gatherings shall not receive the name of churches; they are to be smitten first with the divine punishment and after that by the vengeance of our indignation, which has divine approval

46 Theodosius 381 All churches were to be given over to those who confessed the Trinity 386 Anyone who disturbs the peace of the Roman Church is put to death 388 People were not allow to debate religious matters in public

47 Theodosius Those disturbing the Roman Catholic Faith were exiled

48 Theodosius Still allowed some paganism Sometimes his laws are confusing

49 Theodosius Those caught using pagan superstitions such as animal sacrifice to foretell the future had their property confiscated (CT: [381]). Pagan temples with images were allowed to remain open at times. The celebrations of the pagans were allowed to continue in temples, but no sacrifices were allowed (CT: , [382]).

50 Theodosius Theodosius formally legalized and promoted the following celebrations: January 1st, the founding of Rome and Constantinople, the birthdays of the Emperors, and the beginning of their reigns (CT: [389]).

51 Theodosius While pure paganism was gradually removed, especially in the Eastern Roman Empire, it was replaced with a system that inherited part Christian and part pagan elements.

52 Sunday Laws No Sunday laws passed during the reigns of Constantius and Valens 386 Theodosius supported the first Sunday law in history that attached a reference to Jesus Passed two more in 389 and 392

53 Sunday Laws Seven passed over the next 80 years 386; 389; 392; 399; 409; 425; 469 No laws against Sabbath

54 Constantine s Long-Term Influence Constantine did not ban the Sabbath Constantine established Sun-Day as the civil day of rest in the Empire (most of the time) He intertwined the Roman Empire and Roman Church He used civil authority to punish people who disagreed with the Roman Church

55 Constantine s Long-Term Influence This laid the foundation for later Sun-day laws which had Roman Catholic meaning attached to them Civil authority was used to try and ban people who disagreed with the Roman Catholic view Constantine indirectly affected the Sabbath

56 What about Sabbath keeping?

57 360s AD Pseudo-Athanasius They met on the Sabbath, not that they were infected with Judaism, but to worship Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath (Homilia de Semente, quoted by Bingham, 1138).

58 360s AD Epiphanius He wrote that the Apostles set services for the fourth day of the week, the evening of Sabbath and the Lord s Day (De fide, sec. 22, 24). He cites no Scriptures to support his statement about the Sabbath

59 Late 300s AD Apostolic Constitutions But keep the Sabbath, and the Lord's day festival; because the former is the memorial of the creation, and the latter of the resurrection. (Book 7, section 23).

60 Late 300s AD Apostolic Constitutions O Lord Almighty You have created the world by Christ, and hast appointed the Sabbath in memory thereof, because that on that day You have made us rest from our works, for the meditation upon Your laws On this account He permitted men every Sabbath to rest (7, 36)

61 s AD John Chrysostom There are many among us now, who fast on the same day as the Jews, and keep the Sabbaths in the same manner And why do I speak of Jews seeing that many Gentile customs are observed by some among us; (Commentary on Gal. 1:7)

62 405 AD - Augustine For if we say that it is wrong to fast on the seventh day, we shall condemn not only the Church of Rome, but also many other churches, both neighbouring and more remote, in which the same custom continues to be observed.

63 405 AD - Augustine If, on the other hand, we pronounce it wrong not to fast on the seventh day, how great is our presumption in censuring so many churches in the East, and by far the greater part of the Christian world! (Letter 82, sec. 14)

64 Fasting on the Sabbath Started in the Romans Church; popular by the 300s AD Pope Innocent I ( ) made this a required practice

65 Sozomen (late 300s-420s AD) Likewise some meet both upon the Sabbath and upon the day after the Sabbath, as at Constantinople, and among almost all others. At Rome and Alexandria they do not. (Sozomen, Church History, bk 7, ch 19).

66 Socrates (late 300s-430s AD) For although almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries on the Sabbath of every week, yet the Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on account of some ancient tradition, have ceased to do this. (Book 5, 22)

67 Conclusion The Sabbath was honored by most Christians into the 400s AD At Rome and Alexandria, they did not due to tradition Unfortunately, a significant number of Christians at this time also met on Sunday in addition to Sabbath

68 Conclusion Constantine s Sunday laws established Sun-day rest as a civil day of rest, which meant that Christians were socialized in a system where Sabbath was honored for God and Sunday rest was simply the social norm

69 Conclusion Constantine established Sun-day beside Sabbath as the imitation day of rest beside the real day of rest Caused confusion generations Eventually Sabbath was abandoned by many in favor of Sunday But a remnant of Sabbath keepers remained in later

70 Conclusion Consider the two trees