The Council of Nicaea (also known as the First Council of Nicaea) was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church. This council, which was convened in 325 AD, was assembled by the Roman Emperor Constantine. About 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire met in Nicaea to discuss theological issues, particularly the teachings of Arius, Arianism. One of the most important outcomes of the Council of Nicaea was the formulation of the Nicene Creed, which is still used as a profession of faith by many of the Christian denominations.

What was the Purpose of the Council of Nicaea?

In 324 AD, Constantine became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Although not a Christian himself at that time (he was only baptized on his deathbed in 337 AD), he allowed Christians (through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD) to practice their faith without being oppressed. As the ruler of the Roman Empire, Constantine hoped that Christianity could be used to unify his subjects. Divisions within the faith, however, meant that this would be difficult to achieve. In order to unify the Christian faith, the emperor convened the Council of Nicaea.

It was a turning piot away from the true Faith already established by the Jerusalem Church 100ce  (1st-century pre-Christian) B’nai Yisrael Ha’Derech of Ribi Yeshua before the Roman Hellenist Apostasy of 135 CE.

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Icon depicting Emperor Constantine, accompanied by the bishops of the First Council of Nicaea (325), holding the Niceno–Constantinopolitan Creed of 381. ( Public Domain )

During the 4th century AD, there was a controversy within Christianity regarding the nature of the Godhead, specifically the nature of God the Son in relation to God the Father. One position maintained that through Jesus Christ was divine, he was not equal to God, as he was a created being. This belief is known as Arianism, named after Arius of Alexandria. The other position maintained that Jesus and God are equal, being consubstantial, i.e. of one substance, and coeternal. This position was known as Homoousian (meaning ‘same in being’) Christology.

The Arian controversy had already been debated as early as 320/ 321 AD when a council was called by St. Alexander, the Bishop of Alexandria. Over a hundred bishops from Egypt and Libya took part in this council, which resulted in Arius being anathematized. Nevertheless, Arius continued to preach and recruit followers. When he was expelled from Egypt, Arius went to Palestine, and thence to Nicomedia. The seriousness of the Arian controversy may be seen in the fact that the emperor himself tried to reconcile the two parties to each other. Constantine sent letters to both Arius and St. Alexander advising them to end the conflict. As neither party was prepared to back down, Constantine decided that the best way to resolve the conflict was to convene an ecclesiastical council.

A hidden agenda to change the already established Chuch of  the Apostolic Church of Jerusalem 

Eastern Orthodox icon depicting the First Council of Nicaea (325). ( Public Domain )

What Happened at the Council of Nicaea?

In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea was convened. The council was attended by about 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire, especially from the eastern provinces. Interestingly, the pope at that time, Pope Sylvester I, was not present at the council, though he had two representatives. Although Constantine was also present at the council and presided over it as an honorary president, he left the direction of the theological debates to the ecclesiastical leaders.

One of the most important outcomes of the Council of Nicaea was the Nicene Creed, which defined orthodox, or “correct”, Christian belief. At the end of the council, Arianism was left with only three supporters, Arius himself, Theonas of Marmarica, and Secundus of Ptolemais. Arius’ teachings were declared as heretical, and his books burned. Arius himself was exiled by the emperor to Illyria.

Old trick persecute one of your own to camouflage a take over Constantine was a brilliant strategist.  

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Icon from the Mégalo Metéoron Monastery in Greece, representing the First Ecumenical Council of Nikea 325 A.D., with the condemned Arius in the bottom of the icon. (Jjensen/ CC BY SA 3.0 )

Various other issues were also discussed by the participants of the Council of Nicaea, and 20 canons were issued, most of which were administrative in nature. For example, the primacy of Alexandria and Antioch over other sees in their area was confirmed by the council. Another canon provided instructions for the proper ordination of bishops, i.e. that they should be appointed by all the other bishops in the province if possible, failing which, three would be sufficient, provided that the absent bishops had taken part in the vote, and provided their written consent.

Why was Council of Nicaea Important?

The Council of Nicaea had a lasting impact on Christianity. The Nicene Creed is still used by most of the major Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches. Additionally, the involvement of Constantine in the Council of Nicaea indicated the solidarity between Church and State, and the patronage of ecclesiastical matters by secular rulers, a pattern which was to last for centuries to come.

The Bad Deal the State ie the roman apostate. Also, There are voices within Judaism that sling mud on the name of Messiah. Their influence and their intellectual dishonesty have caused men to abandon Yeshua.

17th-century Russian icon illustrating the articles of the Creed. ( Public Domain )

Top image: A 16th-century fresco depicting the Council of Nicaea. Source: Public Domain

The bold italicized text is Netzari Emunah’s commentary and not the writer’s opinion.

By Wu Mingren