July 25, 306 AD Constantine became emperor in AD 306, following the death of his father, Constantius Chlorus. Constantine the Great (reigned AD 306–337) is most known for transforming Christianity from a persecuted faith into a legally recognized and increasingly favoured religion within the Roman Empire.
Constantine, along with Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan, which granted religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. It legalized Christianity, ending centuries of persecution allowed Christians to worship freely and restored confiscated Church property.
Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church, to resolve the Arian controversy (debate over whether Christ was fully divine or created), affirm the divinity of Christ and promote doctrinal unity that led to the creation of the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian faith.
Constantine gave financial and political support to Christian leaders, commissioned church buildings, including the original St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and granted privileges to Christian clergy, such as tax exemptions.
Constantine claimed a vision of the cross before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (AD 312), which led him to fight under the Christian symbol. Though not baptized until shortly before his death, he favoured Christianity throughout his reign, blending imperial authority with the Christian faith.
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of
dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder
come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other
gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not
hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for
the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul.”
— Deuteronomy 13:1-3
Some Christians—both historically and today—doubt Constantine's conversion to Christianity or question the sincerity of his faith. Constantine was not baptized until shortly before his death in 337. Some early Christians believed true converts would be baptized soon after professing faith. This delay raises questions about whether his conversion was genuine or merely political.
Constantine retained titles like "Pontifex Maximus", the chief priest of the Roman pagan religion. He allowed or tolerated pagan rituals and symbols throughout the empire during much of his reign. Coins and monuments from his time still depicted pagan deities like Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun). Some see this as evidence that Constantine’s commitment to Christianity was partial or politically motivated, not full-hearted.
“The
nominal conversion of Constantine, in the early part of the fourth
century, caused great rejoicing; and the world, cloaked with a form of
righteousness, walked into the church.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 49
“To
conciliate the pagans to nominal Christianity... he [Constantine]
issued a decree making Sunday a public festival throughout the Roman
Empire.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 53
“The day of the
sun was reverenced by his pagan subjects and was honored by Christians;
it was the emperor’s policy to unite the conflicting interests of
heathenism and Christianity.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 53
Critics argue Constantine used Christianity to unify the empire during a time of division. By legalizing and promoting Christianity, he gained support from a growing religious minority. The Council of Nicaea, though significant doctrinally, was also a move to ensure imperial stability, not purely spiritual reform. Some say Constantine was more interested in church unity as a tool for imperial control than in the truth of the gospel.
Even after his supposed conversion, Constantine ordered executions, including of his own son Crispus and wife Fausta. He maintained authoritarian rule, sometimes at odds with Christian values. These actions trouble Christians who expect a clear moral transformation after conversion.
Constantine did not appear deeply knowledgeable about Christian doctrine. He often acted more as a political mediator than a true disciple or theologian.
Constantine’s actions marked the blending of paganism with Christianity and helped lead to the formation of the papal system later condemned in Bible prophecy.
“This
compromise between paganism and Christianity resulted in the
development of the ‘man of sin’ foretold in prophecy as opposing and
exalting himself above God.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 50