It was AD 313, and much to the excitement of the believing Christians, Constantine had just pronounced the Edict of Milan (officially granting full tolerance to all religions in the Roman Empire). One might wonder, “…how did Christianity spread prior to Constantine’s Edict?” Only a couple decades earlier, Diocletian, a Roman Emperor who was born to a family of low status, rose to prominence through the military ranks, and became Emperor of Rome. It was in February of 303 that Diocletian ordered his first edict against the Christians, which was for the destruction of Christian Scriptures and places of worship across the Empire, and prohibited Christians from assembling for worship. Further edicts followed, and the Christians were forced to live a life of apostasy or die for their faith…until…Constantine.
In the meantime, by AD 325, heresies and apostates had been rising within the Church, which had a tendency to confuse the watching world. One particular heresy of that time was the Arian controversy. This flavor of heresy hit right at the heart of Christianity, and asked, “Is Jesus unbegotten?” In other words, this heresy taught that God the Father and God the Son did not eternally exist together. But instead, Christ came into existence. In essence, they taught that the pre-incarnate Jesus was a Divine being created by (and possibly inferior to) the Father at some point, before which the Son did not exist. How would did they handle such heretical teachings (it’s modern day Jehovah Witnesses, by the way)? The answer: the censure and excommunication of Arius, which was determined at the Council of Nicea, as well as the defining of the Nicene Creed (below).
The Council of Nicea was a call from Constantine to resolve the confusing challenges rising within the Church. Approximately 250 to 318 bishops attended the Council, of which many had lost appendages, eyes, and other body parts through the torturous Diocletian persecutions. Needless to say, these guys were purged through the fire of affliction and endured the grinding grip of terror. The Church, through the Council of Nicea, had taken her first great step toward defining doctrine more precisely in response to a challenge from a heretical theology.
How does the leadership of the early Church apply to us today…?
- What worldly influences have we aloud to pervade our minds, thoughts, and ideas that influence what we believe about Christ? What are we doing about it?
- What winds of the world are we oblivious to because we have laid down our guards and allowed a slow drip of over indulgence in vanity or pleasure or comfort to overtake our perspective? The Christian life a battle-ship not a cruise-ship.
- How are we responding to people around us that cave in to these pressures?
These may be tough questions to consider, but are helpful to address at times. It’s amazing how the days turn to years and then to decades. Before you know it, you’re watching your grandkids play at the park…
Do you feel the urgency of the times? Do you sense the vapor of life slipping away?
Therein lies the challenge–take some time this weekend to sit down and answer these two questions:
- How important is Christ to you?
- How is your answer in Q1 reflected in your everyday life: home, workplace, schedule, checkbook, thoughts, etc.?
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
— August 1, 2019