This week in Christian history: Assemblies of God, Charles Wesley's popular sermon, Knights Templar

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, March 29, 2020

Pope issues decree approving Knights Templar – March 29, 1139

A thirteenth century drawing of two members of the Knights Templar on horseback. This was a common image associated with the order, symbolizing poverty. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Innocent II issued a papal bull which granted official status and privileges to the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar.

Known as the Omne Datum Optimum, often rendered “Every Perfect Gift” in English, the papal bull granted the Templars benefits like being exempted from tithing and being allowed to keep any spoils from their battles with Muslim armies.

“As for the things that you will receive from the spoils, you can confidently put them to your own use, and we prohibit that you be coerced against your will to give anyone a portion of these,” stated the bull, in part, as quoted by History.com.

By the early 14th century, however, the Templars lost their influence in the Middle East and were eventually dissolved amid allegations off heresy.