A little background information, because the dates are important.
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine and Maxentius on 28 October 312.
The Edict of Milan was a decree and treaty agreed upon and signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius, that proclaimed religious tolerance in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in February, of 313 AD and stopped the persecution of Christians.
The Council of Nicaea convened in 325.
The first bound bible was released around 333
When Roman Emperor Constantine took over the reigns of the Empire, Christianity did not have a unified belief, but Gnosticism was attempting to unite. So in 325 he called for a council to gather at Nicaea to begin the process of standardization. For a Roman, this is a knee-jerk response because Romans were all about that. Now Rome funded an all expense paid trip and the accommodations were provided. You can bet that the bishops were not put up in caves or tents. These Bishops would go back to their regions telling of how the Romans treated them so they were treated well….wanting them to come back for more councils. Roman Funding of the councils would mostly occur over the next seven councils.
So Constantine invited 1800 bishops of the Christian churches within the Roman Empire. There is no agreement on how many showed up. (Keep in mind that this is right after the persecutions, so some were a little weary of Rome’s intent. Some of the bishops that attended were still limping and some with appendages that were missing. Great courage.) Eusebius of Caesarea counted more than 250, Athanasius of Alexandria counted 318. The count of 318, is preserved in the liturgies of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The Council of Nicea was very significant but contrary to popular belief, it did not suggest or affirm the canon of books that would be included in the New Testament. And also the word canon does not always refer to the approved books of the New Testament but mostly means an approved ruling. The list that finally makes it into the Canon of New Testament books had probably been circulated for a while. But the earliest known complete list of the 27 books of the New Testament is found in a letter written by Athanasius, a 4th century Bishop of Alexandria, dated to 367 AD. But as a whole, each regional church had its own list of favorite books. Eventually they do agree on it, but there is no historical time stamp, no instant in time for when this happens. Then again there were councils that accepted, affirmed and or agreed with the commonly accepted list of books. The Council of Rome, (382) held by Bishop Damasus I looks to be the first to rule on this at least as an acknowledgement, I say that because you will see the discussion on the canon during other Ecumenical Councils and scholars do not agree on a date, or if there is one, except to say that the canon of books are down the road a ways. For example;
For the Orthodox, the recognition of these writings as authoritative was formalized in the Second Council of Trullan of 692.
Thus, by the 5th century, both the Western and Eastern churches had come into agreement on the matter of the New Testament canon. The Council of Trent of 1546 reaffirmed that finalization for Catholicism in the wake of the Protestant Reformation.
So whether there was an official declaration or finalization or not, for sure there was an understanding that the canon was set. Once they move out of the 5th century, bibles were being produced with the canon that we have today. The Protestant bibles will change things in Old Testament, but that is a denominational decision.
The first bound Bibles are generally called the Fifty Bibles of Constantine.
The Fifty Bibles of Constantine were written using the original Koine Greek language of the texts. In 331 Constantine commissioned Eusebius to produce fifty bibles for the Christian capital of Constantinople, I say capital because Constantinople will eventfully become the center of Christendom in the ancient world. All expense incurred from making the Bibles were paid by the empire.
Now there is no clear consensus on when the fifty bibles were completed, but considering the patience levels of the Romans, I would guess well under two years. The texts…were available, all they had to do was copy them. So I am assuming the year would be 333. One note I want to make is that, this bible was released to the Churches while the canon was still being discussed. Still the New Testament of that bible had the same books (different names) as our modern Bibles. The Old Testament included the books of the Hebrew Bible which contained more books than are in Protestant Bibles. The next point I would like to make is in regard to the Conversion of Constantine. I know, off the topic a little bit, but it illustrates his commitment to the religion, councils, and the bible.
"Chapter XXXVI.—Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius on the Preparation of Copies of the Holy Scriptures.
[ “It happens, through the favoring providence of God our Saviour, that great numbers have united themselves to the most holy church in the city which is called by my name. It seems, therefore, highly requisite, since that city is rapidly advancing in prosperity in all other respects, that the number of churches should also be increased. Do you, therefore, receive with all readiness my determination on this behalf. I have thought it expedient to instruct your Prudence to order fifty copies of the sacred Scriptures, the provision and use of which you know to be most needful for the instruction of the Church, to be written on prepared parchment in a legible manner, and in a convenient, portable form, by professional transcribers thoroughly practiced in their art. The catholicus of the diocese has also received instructions by letter from our Clemency to be careful to furnish all things necessary for the preparation of such copies; and it will be for you to take special care that they be completed with as little delay as possible. You have authority also, in virtue of this letter, to use two of the public carriages for their conveyance, by which arrangement the copies when fairly written will most easily be forwarded for my personal inspection; and one of the deacons of your church may be in trusted with this service, who, on his arrival here, shall experience my liberality. God preserve you, beloved brother!”]
So to this also the dedication of Constantine, Eusebius of Caesarea and other Christian sources record that Constantine experienced a dramatic event in 312, just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. According to these sources Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, and the Greek words that said, “In this sign, you will conquer.” So Constantine had his army paint the Chi-Rho on their shields, P and X overlaid. Although out numbered Constantine decisively won the battle. Constantine was no boy scout, something significantly changed him. It is a matter of history that indicates that Christianity was his first initiative and he sustained that initiative thorough the rest of his life. The fifty bibles are just one of the examples. The Christians…the Churches, did not do that, he requested it and funded it. I could go on and on about the building projects that he initiated.
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine and Maxentius on 28 October 312.
The Edict of Milan was a decree and treaty agreed upon and signed by the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius, that proclaimed religious tolerance in the Roman Empire. The letter was issued in February, of 313 AD and stopped the persecution of Christians.
The Council of Nicaea convened in 325.
The first bound bible was released around 333
When Roman Emperor Constantine took over the reigns of the Empire, Christianity did not have a unified belief, but Gnosticism was attempting to unite. So in 325 he called for a council to gather at Nicaea to begin the process of standardization. For a Roman, this is a knee-jerk response because Romans were all about that. Now Rome funded an all expense paid trip and the accommodations were provided. You can bet that the bishops were not put up in caves or tents. These Bishops would go back to their regions telling of how the Romans treated them so they were treated well….wanting them to come back for more councils. Roman Funding of the councils would mostly occur over the next seven councils.
So Constantine invited 1800 bishops of the Christian churches within the Roman Empire. There is no agreement on how many showed up. (Keep in mind that this is right after the persecutions, so some were a little weary of Rome’s intent. Some of the bishops that attended were still limping and some with appendages that were missing. Great courage.) Eusebius of Caesarea counted more than 250, Athanasius of Alexandria counted 318. The count of 318, is preserved in the liturgies of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The Council of Nicea was very significant but contrary to popular belief, it did not suggest or affirm the canon of books that would be included in the New Testament. And also the word canon does not always refer to the approved books of the New Testament but mostly means an approved ruling. The list that finally makes it into the Canon of New Testament books had probably been circulated for a while. But the earliest known complete list of the 27 books of the New Testament is found in a letter written by Athanasius, a 4th century Bishop of Alexandria, dated to 367 AD. But as a whole, each regional church had its own list of favorite books. Eventually they do agree on it, but there is no historical time stamp, no instant in time for when this happens. Then again there were councils that accepted, affirmed and or agreed with the commonly accepted list of books. The Council of Rome, (382) held by Bishop Damasus I looks to be the first to rule on this at least as an acknowledgement, I say that because you will see the discussion on the canon during other Ecumenical Councils and scholars do not agree on a date, or if there is one, except to say that the canon of books are down the road a ways. For example;
For the Orthodox, the recognition of these writings as authoritative was formalized in the Second Council of Trullan of 692.
Thus, by the 5th century, both the Western and Eastern churches had come into agreement on the matter of the New Testament canon. The Council of Trent of 1546 reaffirmed that finalization for Catholicism in the wake of the Protestant Reformation.
So whether there was an official declaration or finalization or not, for sure there was an understanding that the canon was set. Once they move out of the 5th century, bibles were being produced with the canon that we have today. The Protestant bibles will change things in Old Testament, but that is a denominational decision.
The first bound Bibles are generally called the Fifty Bibles of Constantine.
The Fifty Bibles of Constantine were written using the original Koine Greek language of the texts. In 331 Constantine commissioned Eusebius to produce fifty bibles for the Christian capital of Constantinople, I say capital because Constantinople will eventfully become the center of Christendom in the ancient world. All expense incurred from making the Bibles were paid by the empire.
Now there is no clear consensus on when the fifty bibles were completed, but considering the patience levels of the Romans, I would guess well under two years. The texts…were available, all they had to do was copy them. So I am assuming the year would be 333. One note I want to make is that, this bible was released to the Churches while the canon was still being discussed. Still the New Testament of that bible had the same books (different names) as our modern Bibles. The Old Testament included the books of the Hebrew Bible which contained more books than are in Protestant Bibles. The next point I would like to make is in regard to the Conversion of Constantine. I know, off the topic a little bit, but it illustrates his commitment to the religion, councils, and the bible.
"Chapter XXXVI.—Constantine’s Letter to Eusebius on the Preparation of Copies of the Holy Scriptures.
[ “It happens, through the favoring providence of God our Saviour, that great numbers have united themselves to the most holy church in the city which is called by my name. It seems, therefore, highly requisite, since that city is rapidly advancing in prosperity in all other respects, that the number of churches should also be increased. Do you, therefore, receive with all readiness my determination on this behalf. I have thought it expedient to instruct your Prudence to order fifty copies of the sacred Scriptures, the provision and use of which you know to be most needful for the instruction of the Church, to be written on prepared parchment in a legible manner, and in a convenient, portable form, by professional transcribers thoroughly practiced in their art. The catholicus of the diocese has also received instructions by letter from our Clemency to be careful to furnish all things necessary for the preparation of such copies; and it will be for you to take special care that they be completed with as little delay as possible. You have authority also, in virtue of this letter, to use two of the public carriages for their conveyance, by which arrangement the copies when fairly written will most easily be forwarded for my personal inspection; and one of the deacons of your church may be in trusted with this service, who, on his arrival here, shall experience my liberality. God preserve you, beloved brother!”]
So to this also the dedication of Constantine, Eusebius of Caesarea and other Christian sources record that Constantine experienced a dramatic event in 312, just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. According to these sources Constantine looked up to the sun before the battle and saw a cross of light above it, and the Greek words that said, “In this sign, you will conquer.” So Constantine had his army paint the Chi-Rho on their shields, P and X overlaid. Although out numbered Constantine decisively won the battle. Constantine was no boy scout, something significantly changed him. It is a matter of history that indicates that Christianity was his first initiative and he sustained that initiative thorough the rest of his life. The fifty bibles are just one of the examples. The Christians…the Churches, did not do that, he requested it and funded it. I could go on and on about the building projects that he initiated.
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