Kingdom of Britian

The Kingdom of Britian
I. The Kingdom of Britain can be traced all the way back to the 1st Century. A seldom known geographer named Isidore of Charax named the islands (Modern day Britain and Ireland) Albion. This was used c.1st Century BC-1st century AD.
A. The reign of Julius Caesar began c. 55 BC with which the name Britannia was commonly used for the region of Great Britain.
B. Britannia is a Latin word of Greek derivative; Prettanike or Brettaniai.
C. The roman Empire began the conquest of the island in 43 AD and the name Great Britain eventually laid hold of the land.

II. In the 2nd century, Roman Britannia was exemplified as a goddess, or Roman god. This figure can still be seen on various British coinage serious to this day, representing the country’s bequeathment.
III. Constantine took rule of Western and eastern Britain by 324 AD after a series of victorious civil wars. He was emperor of Rome from 306-337 AD.
A. He is the first Roman Emperor that claims to have converted to Christianity. This allegation was supported by a Kingdom of God encounter Constantine had the night before a battle outside of Rome, the battle of Milvain. He saw in the sky a vision of a cross, with the words written above it “In this sign, conquer.” I imagine Constantine, astounded by this sign from the Lord deciding to fight the next day’s battle, and the battles of everyday life moving forward under the name of Jesus. The battle of Milvain was won the next day, a testament to the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
B. Out of this miraculous event, came a turning point in the history of the world. Constantine implemented what is called the Edict of Milan (Edict of toleration) which permitted all civilians the freedom to which religion they choose, including Christians. He favored the Christian religion. He encouraged the building of churches, employed them in governmental offices, exempt Christian ministers from taxes and military service, he even exhorted all of his own servants and men to embrace Christianity (325 AD). Roman Aristocracy insisted on pursuing their pagan religions so Constantine moved his capital to a new land and named it “Constantinople”. (New Rome) Though when he was still in “Old Rome” he did make Christianity the religion of his courts. Crucifixion as execution, slavery, Gladiatorial entertainment and unwelcomed death of children were all banished with this Christianization of Rome. He was beginning to bring the Kingdom to earth, just as we are called to do.
C. Emperor Theodosius (378-398 AD, he was the last Emperor to rule over both the east and the west) determined that the state religion of Rome was Christianity. It became a requirement of the land. This came about through the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) which was a gathering of all the Christian Bishops in the region. The Nicene Creed was birthed in this meeting, it determined the religious beliefs of the land and its people ultimately saying that Jesus Christ is the Son of God yet one with God, just as it is taught in the scriptures. (John 10:30) The Nicene Creed was revisited in 381 AD now called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, the most apparent change to the creed was that the belief in the Holy Spirit has expanded. Such as; the Holy Spirit is the power by which the prophets spoke (2 Peter 1:21), the Holy Spirit is the giver of life (Ezekiel 37; Rhema: breath, wind, spirit), and he is the Spirit by which God and Jesus are glorified (John 16:14). These principles are all true, Biblical, and things we should build our faith on. However, since Christianity became the state religion people had to carry out religious duties whether they liked it or not. When Constantine was in rule, Christianity wasn’t required, but it was favored and legal. People who sought God did it because they were hungry and they wanted too. I question Theodosius’ motives as to why he implemented this creed. I imagine it is out of his understanding that the principles of the Kingdom of God can maintain and cause the nation to flourish, but it is controversial, because you cannot force any individual into wanting God, let alone a group of people. Moving forward, the church body and its dynamics had changed. The Spirit of the Lord was no longer the focus of the church, rather the spirit of the law.
D. Throughout the coming years, Christianity began to mingle with Greek and oriental philosophies and ideas, changing the course of history forever.
IV. In the midst of a broken, wavering people God never fails to intervene whether it be his judgement or his mercy. God is sovereign and he is faithful. In a time when controversy, theological ideas were being thrown about and paganism was running rampant, a gentleman named John Wesley was used as a catalyst to a great movement of God, a revival in England.
A. In the 18th Century John Wesley, a student of Oxford University had put together what was called the “Holy Club”. Basically a modern day Bible study. (George Whitfield was a member of this club, who can be later traced to revivals in America) The club was nicknamed the “methodists” because of the way they went about.
B. In May of 1738 John Wesley had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, he felt him moving on his heart. This experience changed his life forever, it brought revelation and I would like to think, fire into his bones. Shortly after, in the same year a revival broke out among the “methodists”. He documents an all night prayer meeting “At about three in the morning as we were continuing, instant in prayer, the Power of God came mightily upon us; In as much that many cried out for exceeding joy and many fell to the ground. We broke out in one voice, “We praise thee O God, we acknowledge thee to be Lord”.
C. From the above information we can see that even though the Kingdom of Britain has had an ancestral line of Theological debate, pitfalls and victories, God still reigns. God is willing to use anyone who makes themselves available to bring salvation to a people group. John Wesley is a prime example.
V. The church in england today is predominantly Christian; Puritans, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Baptists and Methodists. The Queen of England’s rule of Christianity is the Anglican church of England which does hold weight in the constitution. Though the church’s theology may differ, the Holy Spirit has no boundaries, as we have learned from English history.
A. Just as the church under Constantine was hungry and seeking the Lord, I believe John Wesley was as well. There are many people in history that we may be unaware of that have sought the face of the Lord and made a great impact and changed the history of their nation. You can do the same.
B. Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me, you will find me.”