Quote:
Originally Posted by zeek
Constantine certainly represented a milestone in the development of Christianity. He set a precedent for the position of the emperor exerting influence and ultimate regulatory authority within religious discussions involving the early Christian Councils. But I think the wheels of Christianity were in motion several centuries before Constantine. Two Pre-Constantine trends that I would point to are the development of hierarchical authority and the work of church fathers.
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Let's not forget that there would be no "Christianity" without "Christian." And that brings us to Paul and Antioch :
Act 11:26* And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.*