LATTER-DAY EXCOMMUNICATIONS, Chapter 13 of The Church and The Priesthood

LATTER-DAY EXCOMMUNICATIONS, Chapter 13 of The Church and The Priesthood 

Pages 215 to 224

During the first three centuries following Christ’s death the Christians were nearly exterminated. Between the reign of Nero and Diocletian there were approximately ten major waves of persecution, the last ending shortly after 306 A.D. So successful had been the destruction of the Christians that Diocletian was praised on two monuments or pillars in Spain. One was inscribed, “For having extended the Roman Empire in the east and west, and for having extinguished the name of Christians, who brought the Republic to ruin.” And on the other, “For having everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ.” (Milners Church History 2:6)

Finally between 326 – 330 A.D. the great Roman Emperor Constantine brought the Christians and Romans together. This was an improvement for the pagan Romans but a catastrophe for the Christians. The Christian church exploded in numbers, became popular and ultimately became rich. These three elements were the deadly seeds of apostasy and worldly approval that quickly took over the church. High positions in the church were coveted–bought, bribed and blackmailed. Some church leaders were even murdered to provide a better chance for someone else to be Pope. Other office holders were eliminated to make room for ambitious office seekers. The Popes soon gained political as well as religious powers. Excommunications became more and more popular, not because of sin, but because of threats and opportunity seekers. Thousands upon thousands became victims of prison, torture and horrible death. It was centuries before Christianity finally crept out of the Dark Ages into the light of a reformation–and even later, a restoration.