“I thank Christ Jesus … that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. … The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in [him].”
1 Timothy 1:12, 14
It was an unlikely conversion, Constantine embracing Christianity. Though there is still debate over the validity of his faith, the effect of Constantine’s decision had a profound and lasting impact on the Western world.
The rule of the Western Roman Empire was shared by Constantine and Maxentius. While Constantine continued in tolerance towards Christianity like his father who ruled before him, Maxentius was anti-Christian. Eventually, war broke out between the two. In October of AD 312, Constantine’s army moved towards Rome where Maxentius was located. The night before the armies clashed at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine had a dream with an image of a cross bearing the first two Greek letters for “Christ” on it. In the dream he heard a voice saying, “By this sign you will conquer.”
The next morning, the sign was painted on his soldiers’ shields. And that day he defeated Maxentius, becoming the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. He thanked God for the victory and thereafter became an advocate for Christianity.
The rule of the Western Roman Empire was shared by Constantine and Maxentius. While Constantine continued in tolerance towards Christianity like his father who ruled before him, Maxentius was anti-Christian. Eventually, war broke out between the two. In October of AD 312, Constantine’s army moved towards Rome where Maxentius was located. The night before the armies clashed at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine had a dream with an image of a cross bearing the first two Greek letters for “Christ” on it. In the dream he heard a voice saying, “By this sign you will conquer.”
The next morning, the sign was painted on his soldiers’ shields. And that day he defeated Maxentius, becoming the sole ruler of the Western Roman Empire. He thanked God for the victory and thereafter became an advocate for Christianity.
Scripture Focus
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Insight
“The cross before me/ The world behind me/No turning back/ No turning back.” (author unknown, but thought to be written by many people over a span of centuries)
Bible In A Year
- 2 Kings 22-23
- Proverbs 22
- 3 John