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Christian Faith

Introduction

The early Christian ecumenical councils have played a vital role in the development of the Church's understanding of the nature of Jesus. There are seven ecumenical councils. The first ecumenical council formulated the First Part of the Creed and Defined the divinity of Jesus in 325 A.D. The second ecumenical council proposed the divinity of the Holy Spirit in the year 381 A.D. In 431 A.D., the third council declared Mary as Theotokos and Jesus as the Incarnate Word of God. The fourth council reassured the divinity and humanity of Jesus in 451 A.D. The fifth ecumenical council reassured the doctrines of the theology of the trinity and Jesus, in 553 A.D. The sixth council emphasized on the truth of Jesus will and action and confirmed his humanity in the year 680 A.D. The seventh and the last ecumenical council assured the legitimacy of icons, in 787 A.D., and declared it as a form of expression in Christianity.

Discussion

First Ecumenical Council - Nicea (325 A.D.)

The first ecumenical council comprising of a 318 bishop on behalf of all Christians was called by the emperor Constantine I at Nicaea, in northwest Asia Minor, in the year 325. This Council of Nicaea is considered as the first ecumenical council and served as the basis for future authoritative gatherings. Constantine was afraid that the differences of the church could cause a threat to the stability of the empire (Daley, et al, 2005, pp 2039). He discovered the controversy was highly prevalent in the Greek churches in, Palestine, Egypt, Asia Minor and Syria regarding the nature of Jesus. A presbyter Arius challenged his bishop Alexander and argued that it was irreverent to think that Jesus was divine by nature as Jesus had said that the father was greater than him. Arius arose key questions concerning the nature of Jesus and his relationship to God (http://www.usislam.org).

Arius argued that Mary had physically given birth to Jesus, grew in wisdom "Logos", encountered failure and death. This supports his being must be less than the unbegotten, deathless, and eternal father. Some politically and scholarly powerful bishops supported his thoughts. He proposed that humans can follow Jesus and become perfect creature like him. Alexander and Athanasius opposed Arius regarding the weakness of humanity. Constantine required the support of the new Christian religion in his fights and presided the council. Most bishops took a stand between Arius and Athanasius to resolve the issue. Athanasius, with his convincing argumental skills forwarded a creed which became the key Christian law (L'Huillier, 1996).

According to the creed `Jesus, as Son of God, is "begotten, not made" and “the same nature as the Father,". The council's creed laid the foundation for the development of Christianity in the future (James, et al, 1989. Pp. 337-461). The council also excommunicated Arius and his followers, agrees on a way for the Easter date, and forwarded twenty disciplinary decrees, relating to the jurisdiction of bishops. The bishops of the whole Christian ...