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Heisman Winner [80537]
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Constantine the Great
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May 22, 2025, 6:58 PM
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died on this day.
Not many have achieved as much.
He ranks high as to making Christianity a thing.
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Clemson Icon [26130]
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Re: Constantine the Great
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May 24, 2025, 3:53 PM
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Agree. But there are some of us, Christians, who wish he hadnt done that.
Message was edited by: CUintulsa®
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [103131]
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He wasn't the first to...
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May 26, 2025, 11:00 AM
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use religion as a political tool.
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110%er [3653]
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Re: He wasn't the first to...
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May 26, 2025, 11:14 AM
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What do you mean?
He gave you the Bible.
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Clemson Icon [26130]
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Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
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May 26, 2025, 3:55 PM
[ in reply to He wasn't the first to... ] |
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From 120-ish people in 33 AD, the underground movement spread to the degree that by 300 AD between 30% and 50% of the Roman Empire were followers of the Way (Stark, Freeman, others). This happened under heavy resistance, and with people meeting in houses, probably a dozen at the time. Then the first purpose built worship building was built in 300-ish, and then Constantine. I guess it would be a toss up as to which one was the most harm to the Way. Both come from the human desire for legitimacy, a thing Jesus doesn't need.
A similar thing happened in the US in the late 1700's, with circuit riders attending to several rural congregations on a rotating basis, with the congregations seeing to their own day to day existence between visits. This was, not coincidentally imo, the Great Awakening. As the communities grew and prospered, they then wanted their own church buildings, local pastors, etc. And again, that was the end of that. [I knew none of that until I asked a friend why his church had a statue of a guy on a horse out front. After he explained, it seemed ironic that a church spending millions on buildings and structure would erect a statue honoring the opposite mindset.]
It is hard to imagine a Christian community where the word 'church' wasnt even a concept as we know it today. They knew 'ekklesia', but they knew of no buildings or denominations, and all that now goes with those. I'd like to go back there for a few months just to see what that was like. But then we'd be getting close to first kickoff and I'd want to come back; I never claimed to be a saint.
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110%er [3653]
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Re: Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
May 27, 2025, 9:33 AM
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"From 120-ish people in 33 AD"
Where do you get that number from?
Supposedly 500 people saw Jesus alive after his death.
Also, and this is a BIG question in my mind...
What happened to the thousands upon thousands of people that Jesus ministered to? The gospels report that he went town to town healing the sick and restoring sight to the blind. Not to mention all the people his disciples "saved".
Now we know they were teaching a different message than what the early christians taught. They were teaching the coming of the kingdom, not that Jesus would die for their sins.
Where were these people during the trial, and what were they saying after?
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Clemson Icon [26130]
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Re: Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
May 27, 2025, 10:24 AM
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Acts.
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110%er [3653]
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Re: Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
May 27, 2025, 11:13 AM
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I think this is why some people see legendary development with the story of Jesus. Like you said just a handful of followers after his death, but the gospels have him teaching to thousands of people on multiple occasions during his ministry.
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Clemson Icon [26130]
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Re: Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
May 27, 2025, 11:37 AM
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Just like today.
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110%er [3653]
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Re: Yes, human faults did grow alongside, like the wheat and weeds.
May 27, 2025, 12:54 PM
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It doesn't make any sense.
John the baptist led people to salvation. Jesus led people to salvation. His disciples went town to town leading people to salvation. Jesus preached to 5,000 at once.
But the book of Acts says there were only 120 believers..."In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)".
Another thing I notice about Acts 1...it seems to be an answer from Jesus on why he hadn't returned yet, in fact he and Paul both were quoted as saying he would within a generation...
Matthew 16:27-28
"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. "
Acts 1:6-8
"Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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Ultimate Clemson Legend [103131]
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As said many times here...
May 27, 2025, 1:03 PM
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the Kingdom of God cane on the day of Pentecost when God's Spirit came to dwell with those who accepted Jesus as Savior. I know you remember the scripture calling the Church 'the Bride of Christ.'
Don't confuse that with the end of this world as described more in the book of Revelation.
If you take anything from this please understand, the end times wasn't the coming of Jesus' Kingdom. It exist around you in the hearts of believers all across the globe.
How many times have you been invited to enter and enjoy the Kingdom of God? If you haven't I urge you to receive Christ as the Son of God and Your Savior right now. The will you comprehend all these things which confound you.
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110%er [3653]
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Re: As said many times here...
May 27, 2025, 1:12 PM
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None of these passages when referring to the coming of the kingdom seem to be describing Pentecost.
In Matthew Jesus says he will come with his angels and "reward those according to what they have done". Side note...interesting that he doesn't say what they believe, but rather sounds like the rewards will be based on works, not faith.
In Thessalonians Paul is describing some type of event where believers will go up to heaven with Jesus, not some kind of indwelling of the holy spirit.
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