The 4th Century Heresy of Arianism (denial of Christ's Divinity) and how it was overcome.

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Dear Friends, in this thread, please share your favorite Bible verses declaring plainly that Jesus Christ is the Lord God, which all of us Christians believe, and an ancient sect called the "Arians" denied in the 4th Century. The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was called to examine the issue. 320 Bishops from all around the world met in the Council. 318 Bishops declared that Christ was God, and excommunicated the 2 Bishops who would not confess this. Even after Nicaea, Arianism prevailed for a time. The Arians also denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, andtried to undermine the authority of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Finally, in 381 A.D., the 2nd Ecumenical (Universal) Council was held, in Constantinople, and this Council confirmed the Nicene Creed, added to it the part about the Holy Spirit's Divinity, and defined that. As we know, the modern JW group denies Christ's Divinity.

Nicaea I in 325 A.D. had declared the Son as: "God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, Consubstantial with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven" etc.

Constantinople I in 381 A.D. added about the Holy Spirit: "And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son was later added in the West]; Who with the Father and the Son is Worshipped and Glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets". etc.

Links for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#First_Council_of_Nicaea
See also the section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#Council_of_Constantinople

"Although much of the church hierarchy in the East had opposed the Nicene Creed in the decades leading up to Theodosius's accession, he managed to achieve unity on the basis of the Nicene Creed. In 381, at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, a group of mainly Eastern bishops assembled and accepted the Nicene Creed of 381,[68] which was supplemented in regard to the Holy Spirit, as well as some other changes: see Comparison of Nicene Creeds of 325 and 381. This is generally considered the end of the dispute about the Trinity and the end of Arianism among the Roman, non-Germanic peoples.[69]"

Bible Verses:

I. John 1: "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

II. Col 1: "15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

III. 1 Jn 5:7, KJV: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [the Son], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

as well as verse 20: "20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

God Bless.

 

[persistent]

The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was called to examine the issue

Need to determine by what authority this council was called!!!!?? Was this Biblically sound. The reading I have done may indicate there was collusion at work in the 'empire' at this time. And there is the possibility that worldly influence predominated as opposed to 'seeking the Kingdom of Heaven".!!!!.....Is it possible 'antichrist' was at work as per 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.??

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Need to determine by what authority this council was called!!!!?? Was this Biblically sound. The reading I have done may indicate there was collusion at work in the 'empire' at this time. And there is the possibility that worldly influence predominated as opposed to 'seeking the Kingdom of Heaven".!!!!.....Is it possible 'antichrist' was at work as per 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.??

Well, in Acts 15, when a dispute on Circumcision broke out, the Apostles (Bishops) and Presbyters gathered in a Council and settled the matter. Peter and James spoke as led by the Holy Spirit and it was near unanimously agreed circumcision was not necessary. A similar thing happened in Nicaea.

As for antichrist, etc, what does the Bible say. It says Anti-Christ is the (1) liar who denies that Jesus is the Christ. (2) denies the Father and the Son. It also says (3) no one can confess that Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit.

Now, Nicaea, which is near unanimously accepted even today by almost all Christian denominations (only JWs and Mormons consider it wrong) (1) confessed Jesus as Christ and Son of God (2) confessed the Father and the Son and the Trinity. (3) Confessed Jesus Christ is Lord and God, and thus, Biblically, could not have done this without the Holy Spirit.

And so Nicaea was in no way antichrist. Rather, Arius, who denied Christ's Divinity could be called a precursor of antichrist. He denied the Father and the Son, as St. John the Apostle in the Bible says that the antichrist will do.

Passages:

1 Jn 2:

"22Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

1 Jn 4:

"14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

1 Cor 12:

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Edit: Oh, and Acts 15:

"When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. 5But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
6 The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. 7 After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them ..." etc.

In Christ,
Xavier.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Dear Friends, in this thread, please share your favorite Bible verses declaring plainly that Jesus Christ is the Lord God, which all of us Christians believe, and an ancient sect called the "Arians" denied in the 4th Century. The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was called to examine the issue. 320 Bishops from all around the world met in the Council. 318 Bishops declared that Christ was God, and excommunicated the 2 Bishops who would not confess this. Even after Nicaea, Arianism prevailed for a time. The Arians also denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, andtried to undermine the authority of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Finally, in 381 A.D., the 2nd Ecumenical (Universal) Council was held, in Constantinople, and this Council confirmed the Nicene Creed, added to it the part about the Holy Spirit's Divinity, and defined that. As we know, the modern JW group denies Christ's Divinity.

Nicaea I in 325 A.D. had declared the Son as: "God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, Consubstantial with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven" etc.

Constantinople I in 381 A.D. added about the Holy Spirit: "And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son was later added in the West]; Who with the Father and the Son is Worshipped and Glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets". etc.

Links for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#First_Council_of_Nicaea
See also the section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#Council_of_Constantinople

"Although much of the church hierarchy in the East had opposed the Nicene Creed in the decades leading up to Theodosius's accession, he managed to achieve unity on the basis of the Nicene Creed. In 381, at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, a group of mainly Eastern bishops assembled and accepted the Nicene Creed of 381,[68] which was supplemented in regard to the Holy Spirit, as well as some other changes: see Comparison of Nicene Creeds of 325 and 381. This is generally considered the end of the dispute about the Trinity and the end of Arianism among the Roman, non-Germanic peoples.[69]"

Bible Verses:

I. John 1: "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

II. Col 1: "15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

III. 1 Jn 5:7, KJV: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [the Son], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

as well as verse 20: "20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

God Bless.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1, 14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭48:12‬ ‭

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:10‬ ‭

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭20:28-29‬ ‭

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:13, 16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[Lucy-Pevensie]

John 8

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple,
going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

[persistent]

Well, in Acts 15, when a dispute on Circumcision broke out, the Apostles (Bishops) and Presbyters gathered in a Council and settled the matter. Peter and James spoke as led by the Holy Spirit and it was near unanimously agreed circumcision was not necessary. A similar thing happened in Nicaea.

As for antichrist, etc, what does the Bible say. It says Anti-Christ is the (1) liar who denies that Jesus is the Christ. (2) denies the Father and the Son. It also says (3) no one can confess that Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit.

You need consider this as possibly the 'empire' at the time was a 'worldly' entity which was intent on power and control...........................
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

You need consider this as possibly the 'empire' at the time was a 'worldly' entity which was intent on power and control...........................
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

you also could consider the scriptures referenced there regarding circumcision and Moses doctrine

“And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner;

The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:1-2, 5-13, 19-20, 22-24, 28-

this has to bear alot of weight eith Christian’s it’s a feathering of all the disciples apostles and elders to consider this very subject and make a decision but the hoy ghost

there is circumcision in Christ but it’s not the old testsment it’s this if your willing to consider it it’s a pretty deep concept

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:10-17‬ ‭

we have a word it’s the things Jesus taught his disciples and not what Moses taught thy children of Israel who had no holy spirit or rebirth in Christ and flesh circumcision no longer has any impact well infact it has this impact

“For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭

which mans this

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭

whereas when you get baptized it means this

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

which mans this

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;

that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ( see the parable of the four soils and word of the kingdom bearing fruits in believers )

For when we were in the flesh, ( before we died in baptism and received the spirit ) the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:4-6‬ ‭

a New Testament is the spirit based on righteousness atonement and love

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭


The old was the letter wrotten on tablets of stone declaring what thou shalt not do bieng based upon sin and letters engraved on stone but Christs word gets written on our hearts and conscience as we believe it becomes part of what we believe and who we are and how we live if we stick to the thing Jesus taught we don’t have to worry about what Moses said

 

[persistent]

you also could consider the scriptures referenced there regarding circumcision and Moses doctrine

“And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:1-2, 5-13, 19-20, 22-24, 28-

this has to bear alot of weight eith Christian’s it’s a feathering of all the disciples apostles and elders to consider this very subject and make a decision but the hoy ghost

there is circumcision in Christ but it’s not the old testsment it’s this if your willing to consider it it’s a pretty deep concept

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:10-17‬ ‭

we have a word it’s the things Jesus taught his disciples and not what Moses taught thy children of Israel who had no holy spirit or rebirth in Christ and flesh circumcision no longer has any impact well infact it has this impact

“For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭

which mans this

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:10-12‬ ‭

whereas when you get baptized it means this

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

which mans this

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;

that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ( see the parable of the four soils and word of the kingdom bearing fruits in believers )

For when we were in the flesh, ( before we died in baptism and received the spirit ) the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:4-6‬ ‭

a New Testament is the spirit based on righteousness atonement and love

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭


The old was the letter wrotten on tablets of stone declaring what thou shalt not do bieng based upon sin and letters engraved on stone but Christs word gets written on our hearts and conscience as we believe it becomes part of what we believe and who we are and how we live if we stick to the thing Jesus taught we don’t have to worry about what Moses said

Why are you bringing up the book of Acts? The Roman Empire during the 4th century appears to be in some degree of internal and external conflict and is a 'Worldly" empire.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Why are you bringing up the book of Acts? The Roman Empire during the 4th century appears to be in some degree of internal and external conflict and is a 'Worldly" empire.

brother the book of acts was written during an important time of romes rule wouldn’t you say ? Especially biblically speaking

and what I said was about circumcision according to your reply to the comment about it why are you talking about fourth century rome ? What does this have to do with the Bible ? Or circumcision ?

 

[Magenta]

This I Believe (The Creed)

 

[persistent]

brother the book of acts was written during an important time of romes rule wouldn’t you say ? Especially biblically speaking

and what I said was about circumcision according to your reply to the comment about it why are you talking about fourth century rome ? What does this have to do with the Bible ? Or circumcision ?

LOL...I think we're getting our wires crossed brother. I was purely referencing the conditions which prevailed during the 4th century and the struggle to attain power and control of the Roman Empire which contrary to some opinions was not a 'Christian" Empire. The only Christian 'Empire' was established by Jesus and Jesus is the Head of that 'Empire'. Actually more appropriately known as a Heavenly Kingdom. People keep trying to imply that it is here some place on earth at different times of history. They also try to imply that some individual here on earth is the 'Head' of the 'Empire/Kingdom'.

 

[wattie]

Dear Friends, in this thread, please share your favorite Bible verses declaring plainly that Jesus Christ is the Lord God, which all of us Christians believe, and an ancient sect called the "Arians" denied in the 4th Century. The Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was called to examine the issue. 320 Bishops from all around the world met in the Council. 318 Bishops declared that Christ was God, and excommunicated the 2 Bishops who would not confess this. Even after Nicaea, Arianism prevailed for a time. The Arians also denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, andtried to undermine the authority of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Finally, in 381 A.D., the 2nd Ecumenical (Universal) Council was held, in Constantinople, and this Council confirmed the Nicene Creed, added to it the part about the Holy Spirit's Divinity, and defined that. As we know, the modern JW group denies Christ's Divinity.

Nicaea I in 325 A.D. had declared the Son as: "God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, Consubstantial with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven" etc.

Constantinople I in 381 A.D. added about the Holy Spirit: "And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father [and the Son was later added in the West]; Who with the Father and the Son is Worshipped and Glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets". etc.

Links for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#First_Council_of_Nicaea
See also the section: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism#Council_of_Constantinople

"Although much of the church hierarchy in the East had opposed the Nicene Creed in the decades leading up to Theodosius's accession, he managed to achieve unity on the basis of the Nicene Creed. In 381, at the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, a group of mainly Eastern bishops assembled and accepted the Nicene Creed of 381,[68] which was supplemented in regard to the Holy Spirit, as well as some other changes: see Comparison of Nicene Creeds of 325 and 381. This is generally considered the end of the dispute about the Trinity and the end of Arianism among the Roman, non-Germanic peoples.[69]"

Bible Verses:

I. John 1: "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

II. Col 1: "15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

III. 1 Jn 5:7, KJV: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [the Son], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

as well as verse 20: "20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

God Bless.

When Jesus said 'I AM' and the Pharisees took up stones to kill him.

He didn't say in the Bible 'I am God'.. but He said a number of things that meant that.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Thanks, all, for the responses.

Jn 5:18: "Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."

Regarding the claim that the Roman Empire was not Christian, of course it was. How, after all, do you think all of Europe became Christian and remained so for many centuries, until very recently? In most cases, it was through Missionaries sent from the Roman Empire. If you live in Europe, this would be your own history. Take the case of England as an example.

The Missionary who led England to Christ was a Bishop called Augustine of Canterbury (not Augustine of Hippo in Africa):

Source: "
Augustine of Canterbury (early 6th century – probably 26 May 604) was a monk who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English" and a founder of the English Church.[4]

Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great chose him in 595 to lead a mission, usually known as the Gregorian mission, to Britain to Christianize King Æthelberht and his Kingdom of Kent from Anglo-Saxon paganism. Kent was probably chosen because Æthelberht had married a Christian princess, Bertha, daughter of Charibert I the King of Paris, who was expected to exert some influence over her husband. Before reaching Kent, the missionaries had considered turning back, but Gregory urged them on, and in 597, Augustine landed on the Isle of Thanet and proceeded to Æthelberht's main town of Canterbury.

King Æthelberht converted to Christianity and allowed the missionaries to preach freely, giving them land to found a monastery outside the city walls. Augustine was consecrated as a bishop and converted many of the king's subjects, including thousands during a mass baptism on Christmas Day in 597. Pope Gregory sent more missionaries in 601, along with encouraging letters and gifts for the churches, although attempts to persuade the native British bishops to submit to Augustine's authority failed. Roman bishops were established at London, and Rochester in 604, and a school was founded to train Anglo-Saxon priests and missionaries. Augustine also arranged the consecration of his successor, Laurence of Canterbury. The archbishop probably died in 604 and was soon revered as a saint."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Canterbury God confirmed his preaching with Miracles, Healings etc just like He did for the Apostles. Maybe you disagree with their theology a little, fine. But certainly these Missionaries were Christians.

And as for Nicaea, as I mentioned, Arians denied the Divinity of Christ, and Nicaea confessed it. The Bible says the confession that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Son of God etc comes from the Holy Spirit, so it is clear Nicaea was correct.

In Christ,
Xavier.

 

[oyster67]

Dear Friends, in this thread, please share your favorite Bible verses declaring plainly that Jesus Christ is the Lord God,

Luke 9:35
“And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

Philippians 2:6
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”