Splinz:
Let me add some refreshing history to this thread; to all lovers of the truth.

Constantine and the Council of Nicea

In the early 300s, during the time of the most severe persecution against all professing Christians, the Roman armies proclaimed their favorite general, Constantine, as Caesar. He had claimed victory after defeating his rival, Maxentius, at the Battle of Milvian Bridge outside Rome. Prior to that battle, he was said to have had a vision of the first two letters of the name of “Christ” (in Greek, chi (X) and rho (P)) and heard a voice that told him, “By this sign you will conquer.” He felt that the meaning of the letters he had seen was unmistakably symbolic of Christ and thus, he was indebted to Christianity for his victory, in spite of being an established sun worshiper. Immediately upon becoming Emperor, he issued the Edict of Toleration, which gave Christianity legality in the empire. This ended the ten years of severe persecution against the true Church, but paved the way for false Christianity to rise to prominence in the empire (“The History of the Church of God,” Kelly, part 4).

Constantine recognized the benefit of aligning with the counterfeit movement—which called itself Christian. Not only was he indebted to this “power” which helped to establish him as Emperor, he saw this movement as a potential means of unifying the empire. Yet, the Christianity of the Western empire was significantly different from that in the east and from that of other sects in North Africa. Thus, Constantine took measures to “standardize” his newfound ally—Christianity (ibid.).

Constantine convened the ecumenical council of Nicea in AD 325 to resolve the doctrinal differences between the various Christian denominations. Before this time, he had already decreed that the day of the sun would be kept throughout the empire. This “day of the sun” was the pivotal point to unify various pagan sun-worshippers with those nominal “Christians” who already had accepted Sunday and had never observed the Sabbath anyway—except for the apostates who defected and joined them.

Thus, this entire episode was a marriage of convenience between Constantine and the Church at Rome. The council of Nicea, directed personally by Constantine, condemned the practice of true Christianity. All of the precepts of the emerging Church at Rome were now decreed as part of the state religion. As protector of this counterfeit Christianity, Constantine forced everyone, pagan or Christian, into either conformity or exile (ibid.).

With the enforcement of a false religion upon them, the true Church had no choice but to flee. This was the flight prophesied in Revelation 12:6: “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” According to the day-for-a-year principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:4-6), the Church was to be in the wilderness for 1,260 years from this landmark date of AD 325.

NOTE: This happened during the Smyrna Era of God's Church—the second era of God's seventh Church eras (see Rev. 2 & 3)

Please what aspect of the practice of the said true christianity did the council of Nicea condemn and can you give me names and proof of the people ie true christians who fled Rome because true Christian practice was forbidden?

So after 1260 years were is the true church that came out of the wilderness or is the true church still in the wilderness?

They were Antioch Christians.

easymancfc:


Indeed.. this thread is not an authority.. but I guess you are, because you say we associate Jesus with our "rubbish"..

We have given you historical and scriptural evidence and you reject it calling it rubbish...

Take all the quotes, especially from the church fathers and do a bias free internet search...

Use neutral sources like Wikipedia and encyclopedia brittanica... Do actual research before you draw your conclusions since you are the authority..

FOR THOSE WHO SAY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH FORGED THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS DOCUMENTS...

ANGLICANS, METHODIST, LUTHERAN, PRESBYTERIAN, CLERGY AND ALL THOSE WELL VERSED IN CHURCH HISTORY KNOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DIDN'T FORGE THESE DOCUMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE CHRONOLOGICALLY AND HISTORICALLY ACCURATE HECK EVEN WELL STUDIED PENTECOSTAL AND EVANGELICAL DOCTORS OF THEOLOGY WHO ARE HONEST WITH THEMSELVES AGREE TOO..

Where are those historical and biblical evidences?

rhektor:



Ok, which of the early church fathers told you Peter was a pope? Quote one please.

"And he says to him again after the resurrection, 'Feed my sheep.' It is on him that he builds the Church, and to him that he entrusts the sheep to feed. And although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single Chair, thus establishing by his own authority the source and hallmark of the (Church's) oneness. No doubt the others were all that Peter was, but a primacy is given to Peter, and it is (thus) made clear that there is but one flock which is to be fed by all the apostles in common accord. If a man does not hold fast to this oneness of Peter, does he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he deserts the Chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, has he still confidence that he is in the Church? This unity firmly should we hold and maintain, especially we bishops, presiding in the Church, in order that we may approve the episcopate itself to be the one and undivided." Cyprian, The Unity of the Church, 4-5 (A.D. 251-256).

rhektor:


Where are those historical and biblical evidences?

That's why they said you should read the thread from the beginning. Mr man your interjections are adding nothing to this thread.

rhektor:


Where are those historical and biblical evidences?

Sorry it took so long, I was autobanned from the thread

St. Irenaeus
"The blessed apostles [Peter and Paul],
having founded and built up the church
[of Rome] . . . handed over the office of
the episcopate to Linus" (Against
Heresies 3:3:3 [A.D. 189]).
Tertullian
"[T]his is the way in which the apostolic
churches transmit their lists: like the
church of the Smyrneans, which records
that Polycarp was placed there by John,
like the church of the Romans, where
Clement was ordained by
Peter" (Demurrer Against the Heretics
32:2 [A.D. 200]).
The Little Labyrinth
"Victor . . . was the thirteenth bishop of
Rome from Peter" (The Little Labyrinth
[A.D. 211], in Eusebius, Church History
5:28:3).
Cyprian of Carthage
"The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’
he says, ‘that you are Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my Church, and the
gates of hell will not overcome it. . . .
’ [Matt. 16:18]. On him [Peter] he builds
the Church, and to him he gives the
command to feed the sheep [John
21:17], and although he assigns a like
power to all the apostles, yet he
founded a single chair [cathedra], and
he established by his own authority a
source and an intrinsic reason for that
unity. . . . If someone [today] does not
hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he
imagine that he still holds the faith? If
he [should] desert the chair of Peter
upon whom the Church was built, can he
still be confident that he is in the
Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic
Church 4; first edition [A.D. 251]).
"Cornelius was made bishop by the
decision of God and of his Christ, by the
testimony of almost all the clergy, by
the applause of the people then present,
by the college of venerable priests and
good men, at a time when no one had
been made [bishop] before him—when
the place of [Pope] Fabian, which is the
place of Peter, the dignity of the
sacerdotal chair, was vacant. Since it
has been occupied both at the will of
God and with the ratified consent of all
of us, whoever now wishes to become
bishop must do so outside. For he
cannot have ecclesiastical rank who
does not hold to the unity of the
Church" (Letters 55:[52]):8 [A.D. 253]).
"With a false bishop appointed for
themselves by heretics, they dare even
to set sail and carry letters from
schismatics and blasphemers to the
chair of Peter and to the principal
church [at Rome], in which sacerdotal
unity has its source" (ibid., 59:14).
Eusebius of Caesarea
"Paul testifies that Crescens was sent
to Gaul [2 Tim. 4:10], but Linus, whom
he mentions in the Second Epistle to
Timothy [2 Tim. 4:21] as his companion
at Rome, was Peter’s successor in the
episcopate of the church there, as has
already been shown. Clement also, who
was appointed third bishop of the
church at Rome, was, as Paul testifies,
his co-laborer and fellow-soldier [Phil.
4:3]" (Church History 3:4:9–10 [A.D.
312]).

Its simple!

What is the difference between Roman catholic church and the Protestant churches?

What are those things done in the Catholic church of the present that were not in the Church of the Apostles time?

1. If you can prove that Peter and his fellow Apostles put on the Priestly Robe, then the first church is catholic
2. If you can prove that Peter ,Paul and the other Apostles use the rosaries then you have a point
3. If Mary the mother of Jesus was venerated to the status of Mother of God during the times of Peter and the other disciples, then you have a point.
4. Show me the earliest Monastery if it coincides with Jesus or His Apostles
5. Which seminary or Monastery did Timothy attend
6. How many Nuns were recorded in the books of Acts of the Apostles.


Are you telling me that we no longer have "Reformation" like modernization? OK answer me

Were your great grandfathers educated like you are now?

Is the number of cars in Nigeria now the same with of that the 1960's

Were Nigeria past leaders graduates apart from yar a' dua and Gej

Was Abuja the capital?

Why are you Christian, were your great grandfathers Christian?

If you prove them, you have a points

evidence in the Bible




The evidence is for you to stop using Catholic calendar

Christmas
Esther
New year
Valentine
Etc

Even government observe them

FECOSON:
Its simple!

What is the difference between Roman catholic church and the Protestant churches?

What are those things done in the Catholic church of the present that were not in the Church of the Apostles time?

1. If you can prove that Peter and his fellow Apostles put on the Priestly Robe, then the first church is catholic
2. If you can prove that Peter ,Paul and the other Apostles use the rosaries then you have a point
3. If Mary the mother of Jesus was venerated to the status of Mother of God during the times of Peter and the other disciples, then you have a point.
4. Show me the earliest Monastery if it coincides with Jesus or His Apostles
5. Which seminary or Monastery did Timothy attend
6. How many Nuns were recorded in the books of Acts of the Apostles.


Are you telling me that we no longer have "Reformation" like modernization? OK answer me

Were your great grandfathers educated like you are now?

Is the number of cars in Nigeria now the same with of that the 1960's

Were Nigeria past leaders graduates apart from yar a' dua and Gej

Was Abuja the capital?

Why are you Christian, were your great grandfathers Christian?

If you prove them, you have a points

With all due respect to you.. you don't make any sense because you answer your own questions you answer your own questions with the REFORMATION STATEMENT...

questions for you too...

Did the apostles use KJV Bible only

Did they were business suits or made the church "ME AND MY WIFE CHURCH "

Did they use daily manna devotional or rhapsodies of realities...

Did they own private jets ??

if you can't provide evidence for this then the early Church was definitely not Pentecostal or protestant

You talk about Seminary for Timothy...
Timothy learned from an apostolic man, that is his seminary...

Paul after he met Jesus went to study in Arabia for 3 years and then went to make sure that what he is preaching is in line with what Jesus taught the apostles
(see gal 2:1-2)
So Timothy didn't need to go to seminary.
but a person in the Four to twentieth century needs to learn all the things from Apostolic times so that he may know not just scripture and theology but also history of how the church has continued from the time of Paul and Timothy to this time...

concerning nuns.. there is also scriptural evidence for this practice that was in seed form at the time..

Paul talks about how virginity and serving God is linked in 1 cor 7 :8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. and 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit;

Jesus himself also talks about people who will be eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom in mat 19

THE BOOK OF ACTS IS NOT THE END OF THE APOSTOLIC ERA.. BECAUSE THE APOSTLES LIVED BEYOND ACTS 28..

PETER AND PAUL DIDN'T PRAY THE ROSARY BECAUSE THE ROSARY HAD NOT COME INTO EXISTENCE IN ITS PRESENT FORM WHILE THEY ALIVE BUT THEY DEFINITELY USED A FORM/VARIATION OF IT CALLED THE PSALTER...

AS FOR PRIESTLY GARMENTS.. UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOU NOT ONLY CATHOLICS WHERE PRIESTLY GARMENTS, OTHER CHRISTIAN PROTESTANT SECTS DO TOO.. BESIDES GOD COMMANDED THE USE OF SPECIAL GARMENTS FOR HIS MINISTERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THIS WAS NOT CONDEMNED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
see exodus 28

FECOSON:
evidence in the Bible




The evidence is for you to stop using Catholic calendar

Christmas
Esther
New year
Valentine
Etc

Even government observe them

Christmas is simply to celebrate Christ's birth, the beginning of his work of Salvation..

in heaven the Angels celebrated "Christmas"
Luke 2:14 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”

Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection which is the foundation of our faith and as Paul says
1 cor 15: 14 if Christ has not been raised, then our PREACHING IS IN VAIN and your FAITH IS IN VAIN.15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

SUCH A MILESTONE IS WORTH CELEBRATING

Valentine and other days are used to REMEMBER the great things our brothers and sisters in Christ have done and TRY TO IMITATE THEIR FAITH while we look to them for encouragement and inspiration just like the bible says

Phil 3:17 Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us

Hebrews 6:12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 13: 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.

New Year is celebrating life which comes from God and giving God the glory for that life on that day which a new year begins

I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT MOST IF NOT ALL CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EASTER AND NEW YEAR, MAYBE CHRISTMAS TO A LESSER EXTENT..

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS OR ANY CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY, THEY ONLY PERMIT CHRISTIANS IN THE COUNTRY TO CELEBRATE THEIR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY JUST LIKE THEY ALLOW MUSLIM'S..
BESIDES NOT ALL GOVERNMENT PERMIT SUCH CELEBRATIONS.. GO TO THE MIDDLE EAST AND SEE...

I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS SCRIPTURE
col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath.

No,read foxes book of martyrs ,i believe the book will answer that question, the Romans were still pagans and persecuted the protestant Christian , under the guise of idolatry the catholic church was established and continues killing Christians and Jews including Moslems .CATHOLICS READ THE HISTORY OF YOUR SHRINE

italo:

Jesus established the Catholic Church in 33AD.
Martin Luther established protestantism 1500 years later.
So, in a sense, Jesus is Catholic.

Jesus said "by their fruit you will know them"
And Paul listed the qualities of that single fruit in the Bible book of Galatians 5:22-23

So can you please explain how those listed qualities can be observed in the Catholic Church? James 2:18-26