and Justice standing between the two. This was the doctrine of Marcion and his followers.

Another group declared, “Our Lord is the Messiah.” This was the creed of three hundred and eighteen (1) bishops.

Ibn al-Batriq (2) relates: When Emperor Constantine heard their statement he was astonished, set aside a residence for them, bestowed honour and hospitality upon them, and ordered them to debate among themselves so that he might see who possessed the truth and follow him. Of them, three hundred (and eighteen) (3) bishops united upon one religion and a single view.

They then debated the remaining dissenting bishops and defeated them in argument, for the others held conflicting doctrines and creeds. The emperor therefore convened a grand council for the three hundred (and eighteen) (4) bishops and sat in its midst. Removing his ring, his sword (5), and his staff, he handed them to them and said, “Today I have invested you with authority over the kingdom; do as you see fit, but do not neglect what upholds the faith and secures the welfare of the community.”

They blessed the emperor, girded him with his sword, and said to him, “Proclaim the Christian faith and defend it.” They then compiled for him forty books containing statutes and ordinances—what the bishops ought to implement, and what the emperor himself ought to enact.