Chapter 9

All Hail Caesar

But no matter what it was that really happened, Constantine garnered the
support he needed, succeeded over Maxentius, and in 312 AD ascended the
throne as Emperor of Western Rome.

But the new found faith of the Emperor was sorely lacking in real Christian
expression. The true believers of the Roman Empire attempted to live in peace as
much as was possible, nor was it their practice to extract vengeance on their
enemies. Yet these attitudes had apparently gone unnoticed to Constantine. He
was so ecstatic about his victory over his adversary, that the day after his battle
with Maxentius, he found his body, cut off his head, affixed it to a pike and had it
carried throughout Rome to proclaim his triumph.

ìÖthe Roman SenateÖerected a triumphal arch in the

Coliseum. According to the inscription on this arch,

Constantineís victory was won ëthrough the prompting of the

Deityí. But the deity in question was not Jesus. It was Sol

Invictus, the pagan sun god.î 1

A short time later, using his own skewed version of baptism, he sprinkled his
soldiers with water making them "instant" Christians.

Constantineís claim was that he did it to demonstrate his new dedication to the
Christian God. However, there is no evidence that any of these soldiersí ever
desired to follow Christ.

Some historians view this act as a mere political move done to gain the peoples
favor. It was an outward show performed by the Emperor to appease those
Christians that had supported him.

His influence became so great with the lukewarm Christians of his day that he
used them to propagate a viscous scandal against his rivals in the East, which
eventually drove them into exile. By doing so, he acquired what he had sought for.
He became the sole Emperor of the entire Roman Empire.

There is a scripture in the Bible that is a quote from Jesus Himself,

ìWherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.î Matthew 7:20

Using this plumb line, it is difficult to believe that Constantine had actually turned
to the One True God. The Emperor did not give the credit for his victories to the
most High God, but continually honored ìSol Invictusî.