Victorinus and the Victory of God

In between work things today I read the story of Victorinus in Augustine's Confessions. Victorinus was a famous professor of rhetoric in Rome in the 4th century. He was learned in liberal sciences and philosophy, and had taught these subjects to 'noble senators' in Rome and was held in high honour.

Quoting Augustine, Victorinus had defended the gods with thundering eloquence, but suddenly he was not ashamed to say he was a child of Christ. However, a friend of Victorinus had tried to speak to him about the Scriptures and bring him to church but Victorinus replied angrily, "Do walls then make Christians?"

Augustine says that Victorinus was actually afraid of offending his demon-worshipping friends and was reluctant to make his Christian faith public. But one day he realised he was guilty of a serious offence against God, and decided to profess his faith publicly by being baptised at church.

To do this he had to stand with the others being baptised on an elevated platform before the church to make a full profession of faith.

Instead of doing this, the church leaders offered to Victorinus the opportunity to speak his confession of faith in private, realising he was well-known and could be persecuted (they gave this option to all well-known people). Here's what happened:

But he chose rather to profess his salvation in the presence of the holy multitude. For he had publicly taught rhetoric, which was far less important than his profession of salvation....when this well-recognized public figure went up to make his profession, all knew him and whispered his name to each other, sharing in this special moment. Was there anyone there who did not know who this was? A low murmur of recognition passed through all the mouths of the rejoicing multitude.

Victorinus! Victorinus! There was a sudden burst of rapture when they saw him.

Then a hush fell over the body so that they might hear him.

He pronounced the true faith with an excellent boldness, and all wished to draw him into their very heart. Indeed, by their love and joy, they did take him to themselves. Such were the hands extended to draw him into the fellowship.

I wouldn't call myself an overtly emotional person, but I found this a very moving and uplifting testimony. Praise God!