the nations.

WAVE 4: Christian Era

Jesus promoted such a radically different spirituality that
it was rejected by the Pagans of all countries. Only God's true children of
Israel responded to the call, and left the temples of organized religion to
follow Him who had no place to lay His head. He suggested no rituals, no worship
services, and no religious structure. The temple curtain was torn down, and the
Father was made accessible to all Israelites, the only ones for whom Jesus came.
The first three centuries of the Christian movement were not organized.
Individuals struggled to understand what message Jesus was giving, but it wasn't
very clear. Some struggled with questions of circumcision and law, but there
wasn't much clear advice. It was up to each person to seek God for himself, with
the powerful help of theHoly Spirit which Jesus sent. And struggle they did,
intensely and fervently, many dying as martyrs (witnesses) for their faith which
they didn't really understand. Now THAT was spiritual struggle, just what God
wants to work in his children! But, as time passed, some leaders pushed for
organization. They wanted a religion more clearly defined, and controlled.
Differences of opinion were tolerated less and less, and bitter disputes
increased. Roman Paganists continued to persecute the Christians, who were
powerless before them.

Finally, Constantine and some bishops called a great Council
at Nicaea, near Constantinople, in the year 325. Several hundred Christian
leaders organized and defined their faith in words of a Creed. Emperor
Constantine made Christianity the state-approved religion. The Pieta statues of
the mother-goddess holding her baby or her dead son were renamed as Mary and
Jesus, and the Roman