FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
CONSTANTINE’S SUNDAY LAW OF 321 A.D.
The first Sunday law decreed by the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine. It reads:
“On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and the people residing in CITIES rest, and let all WORKSHOPS be closed. In the COUNTRY, however, persons engaged in AGRICULTURE may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so SUITABLE for grain-growing or vine-planting; lest by NEGLECTING the proper moment for such operations the BOUNTY of heaven should be lost.(Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls for the second time.’ – ‘History of the Christian Church,’ Philip Schaff, D.D., (7-vol. ed.) Vol. III, p. 380. NY. 1884.
“Dr. A. Chr. Bang (Lutheran bishop, Norway), says: ‘This Sunday law constituted NO real favoritism for Christianity. It is evident from all his statutory provisions that the Emperor during the time 313-323 with full consciousness has sought the REALIZATION OF HIS RELIGIOUS AIMS: the amalgamation of heathenism and Christianity.’ – ‘Kirken og Romerstaten’ (‘The Church and the Roman State’), p. 256. Christiania: 1879.
“That Constantine by his Sunday law intended only to enforce the POPULAR heathen festival is acknowledged by Professor Hutton Webster, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska), who says:
“This legislation by Constantine probably bore NO relation to Christianity; it appears, ON THE CONTRARY, that the emperor, in his capacity as PONTIFEX MAXIMUS, was only adding the day of the Sun, the worship of which was then firmly established in the ROMAN EMPIRE [Not in Judea or Jerusalem], to the other ferial days of the sacred calendar [of the Romish Church].’ – ‘Rest Days,’ p. 122. NY. 1916.”—“Facts of Faith,” Christian Edwardson, pp. 109. 110.
If any of your family members, relatives, friends, classmates, fellow workers, neighbors or Facebook friends, etc., are still keeping Sunday not knowing the truth regarding this heathen worship day, pray and share these vital info I have, and will continue sharing, only as God wills. Bless all, NMF.