The First Ecumenical Council – Nicaea I (325 A.D.)

Key Issue: The Divinity of Christ

Let’s unpack why the Council of Nicaea was pivotal and explore its theological conclusions steadily.

Historical Setting

In 325 A.D., Emperor Constantine called Church leaders to Nicaea amid controversy caused by Arius, a presbyter in Alexandria. Arius taught that the Son of God was a created being, distinct from and subordinate to the Father — not sharing the Father’s divine essence.

The Debate: Christ’s Nature

The central question: Is the Son (Jesus Christ) fully God, or merely exalted but created? If He is created, He is not eternal or truly divine. If He shares the Father’s divine nature, then Christian teaching about the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—must be clarified.

The Council rejected Arius’s claim, declaring:

• The Son is homoousios (ὁμοούσιος), meaning “of one essence” with the Father; there’s no difference in divinity between Father and Son.

• The creed formulated said Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one essence with the Father.”

Why Does This Matter Theologically?

Let’s break down what Nicaea’s decisions mean for Christian theology:

1. Affirmation of Trinitarian Doctrine

Nicaea established the heart of Christian belief: There is one God in three Persons, each fully divine. If the Son is not fully God, the Trinity collapses.

2. Salvation Implications

The council fathers argued that if Christ is not truly God, His incarnation and sacrifice cannot save humanity from sin. Salvation requires God Himself to bridge the gap—only an uncreated, fully divine Savior suffices.

3. Authority and Unity

By defining orthodox belief, the council united the Church against heresy and provided a measure for Christian teaching and worship. The original Nicene Creed became a “rule of faith” for all Christians.

Theological Conclusions

• Christ’s eternal divinity: The Son is equally God from all eternity, not created, but begotten.

• Oneness of essence: The term “homoousios” asserts that Father and Son are consubstantial—sharing the same divine nature.

• Trinitarian foundation: This council protected and launched centuries of Trinitarian theology in East and West.

• Universal creed: The Nicene Creed bridges cultures and eras; its words are still recited in liturgy, expressing the faith of millions.

Quick Review

Let’s sum up what was decided and why it matters:

• Arianism rejected: Jesus is not a created being; He is fully divine.

• Nicene Creed accepted: Clear theological articulation of the Trinity.

• Salvation secured: Only God Himself, as Christ, redeems.

The Nicene Council considered “homoousios” essential because it meant that Jesus Christ, the Son, was truly and fully God—not merely a creature or something less than the Father. By insisting the Son shared the exact same divine nature (“essence”) as the Father, the council protected the Christian understanding of God’s unity and affirmed that everything the Father is, the Son is also. This guaranteed that Christian worship of Christ was genuine worship of God Himself, ensuring the reality of salvation and the truth of the Trinity.