What issues faced the Church in the time of Emperor Constantine?

Answer 1

• Although the Church had finally defeated the challenge from Gnostic Christianity through its discipline and superior organisation, it was unable to take the next step and agree to a central authority, be it a leader or standing council, to be the supreme authority for the Church. Constantine took on that role by dominating the bishops, whom he appointed, and by insisting, "my will must be considered binding."
• Church leadership. It is believed that the bishop of Rome refused to attend the Council of Nicaea because he did not wish to be seen as an equal to the other attendees. The Council of Nicaea formally created the role of 'Metropolitan', with the bishop of Rome as one of the five Metropolitans, but Rome always insisted that, at worst, the bishop of Rome was a leader among equals.
• Indecision on Church doctrines and practices. The Church had been moving tentatively towards making a decision on the relationship between Jesus and God, as well as various important issues. Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, at which these issues were resolved. Some minor issues, such as the exact date of Easter were left unresolved.
• Schisms, the most important being the Arians, but also the Donatists and others. The hostility between different sects of Christianity has been described as ferocious.
• Church corruption. There were bribes at church councils, and recurrent charges of handing over money in order to become a priest and gain high church office.