When Diocletian abdicated and rival Cæsars fought one another for the imperial throne, Constantine emerged a victor. He was wise enough to see that Christianity was too strong to be uprooted and that the Christians must be given official sanction. Christians were more representative of all classes and were more respected than a century earlier. In the year 311, it was decreed “that liberty of worship shall not be denied to any, but that the mind and will of every individual shall be free to manage divine affairs according to his own choice and that every person who cherishes the desire to observe the Christian religion shall freely and unconditionally proceed to observe the same without hindrance.” The recognition of Christianity by Constantine was one of the principal landmarks in the history of the Christian people. At last, after three hundred years of uncertainty and peril, they could feel secure. Without fear Christians could build their churches, meet for discussion of church interests, and read freely the Scriptures the authorities had tried to destroy.
Impact: By making Christianity a legal religion, Constantine opened the door for one of the greatest periods of growth in the history of the church.