A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

175Lord without the sacrament as customarily uttered; and to have [156]baptized many, making use of the usual and lawful words ofinterrogation, that nothing might seem to be different from theecclesiastical and lawful mode.(e) Eusebius, Hist. Ec., VI, 34. (MSG, 20:595.) Preuschen,Analecta, I, § 15, and Kirch, n. 397.The following tradition that Philip the Arabian was a Christianis commonly regarded as doubtful. That he favored theChristians, and even protected them, may be the basis forsuch a report.When Gordianus (238-244) had been Roman Emperor for sixyears, Philip (244-249) succeeded him. It is reported that he,being a Christian, desired on the day of the last paschal vigilto share with the multitude in the prayers of the Church, butwas not permitted by him who then presided to enter until hehad made confession and numbered himself among those whowere reckoned as transgressors and who occupied the place ofpenitence. For if he had not done this, he would never havebeen received by him, on account of the many crimes he hadcommitted, and it is said that he obeyed readily, manifesting inhis conduct a genuine and pious fear of God.§ 37. The Extension of the Church at the Middle of the ThirdCenturySome approximately correct idea of the extension of the Churchby the middle of the third century may be gathered from a precisestatement of the organization of the largest church, that at Rome,about the year 250 (a), from the size of provincial synods, ofwhich we have detailed statements for North Africa (b), fromreferences to organized and apparently numerous churches in