Outline: Christology and the Council of Nicaea

I. The Council of Nicaea — 325 A.D.

A. Purpose and Background

First universal church council since the apostolic era
Convened by Emperor Constantine
Held at Nicaea in May 325 A.D.
Primary issue: Arianism and the nature of Christ
At least 200 bishops attended
Produced the Nicene Creed
Marked a new period in Church history

B. Events Leading to the Council

Arius' teaching concerning the eternality of the Son
Spread and acceptance/rejection of Arius' doctrine
Persecution and exile of bishops who opposed Arius
Constantine's conversion in 312 A.D.

C. Major Figures

Arius — The Controversial Teacher

Priest in Alexandria
Taught that Jesus was created
"There was a time when He was not"
Jesus was "like" God

Alexander of Alexandria — Defender of Christ's Divinity

Bishop of Alexandria
Taught that the Son is eternally the Son of the Father

Eusebius of Caesarea — The "Man in the Middle"

Church historian
Bishop of Caesarea
Friend and advisor to Constantine
Sought compromise

Athanasius — Defender of Trinitarian Orthodoxy

Secretary to Alexander
Vocal opponent of Arianism
Later patriarch of Alexandria
Wrote On the Incarnation of the Divine Word

II. The Central Question: Who Is Jesus?

A. The Debate Over One Word

Homoousios — "same essence"
Homoiousios — "similar essence"
Is the Son the same nature/substance as the Father?
Or is the Son merely similar to the Father?

B. Arius' Position

Jesus was a supernatural heavenly being
Jesus was created by God
Jesus existed before the rest of creation
Jesus was not eternally God

C. The Council's Response

If Christ is not of the same nature as the Father, He is less than fully God
The difference between the two Greek terms was only one letter
The theological difference was profound
The issue directly affected the doctrine of the Trinity

III. The Nicene Creed

A. What Is a Creed?

A summary statement of belief
"Credo" = "I believe"
Nicene Creed expands upon the Apostles' Creed
One of the three major ecumenical creeds
Accepted by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and most Protestant churches
Used historically as a baptismal confession

B. The Father

One God
Almighty Father
Creator of heaven and earth
Creator of visible and invisible things

C. The Son — Jesus Christ

One Lord Jesus Christ
Only Son of God
Begotten from the Father before all ages
God from God
Light from Light
True God from true God
Begotten, not made
Of the same essence as the Father
Through Him all things were made

D. Christ's Saving Work

Came down from heaven
Became incarnate
Born through the Holy Spirit and virgin Mary
Became human
Crucified
Suffered and was buried
Rose again
Ascended to heaven
Will return in glory
Will judge the living and the dead
His kingdom will never end

E. The Holy Spirit and the Church

Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life
Speaks through the prophets
One holy catholic and apostolic church
One baptism for forgiveness of sins
Resurrection of the dead
Life in the world to come

IV. Christological Controversies in Church History

A. Early Attacks on Christ's Humanity

Docetism — Jesus only appeared to be human
Ebionites — Jesus was Messiah but not divine
Marcionism — rejected the God of the Old Testament as the Father of Jesus

B. Controversies Concerning Christ's Divinity and Person

Dynamic Monarchianism / Adoptionism

Jesus was born a man and became God

Modalistic Monarchianism / Sabellianism

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit understood as different manifestations rather than distinct persons
Denial of the Trinity

Arianism

Jesus was created
"There was a time when He was not"
Denied the eternality of Christ
Led to the Council of Nicaea

C. Later Controversies Concerning Christ's Humanity and Nature

Apollinarianism

Jesus had a human body but a divine mind
Denied the fullness of Christ's humanity

Nestorianism

Christ understood as two persons with two natures
Humanity and divinity treated as separate

Eutychianism / Monophysitism

Human nature was absorbed into the divine
Result described as a "third nature"

Monothelitism

Christ had two natures but only one will

V. Christology in Three Dimensions

The study presents Christ's work through three dimensions:

Incarnation
Redemption
Ascension

The three must be considered together; neglecting one produces an incomplete or distorted understanding of Christ's purpose and mission.

A. Incarnational Truth — Who Is Jesus?

Key Scriptures: John 1:1-5, 14-18; 1 John 4:1-3

Jesus is God manifested in the flesh
Jesus is fully God and fully man
Incarnation versus Gnostic emanation
Importance of the virgin birth

Luke 1:35
Galatians 4:4

Significance of Jesus' baptism

Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus' testing and suffering

Hebrews 2:18
Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 5:8

Central Question:

How can Jesus be truly God and truly human?

B. Redemptive Truth — What Did Jesus Accomplish?

Christ fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system
Christ is both:

The Lamb
The Great High Priest

The Cross demonstrates God's:

Justice
Mercy

The Cross marks Satan's defeat
The Resurrection validates Christ's atoning death
Salvation is found through faith in Christ's redemptive work

Central Question:

What did Christ's death and resurrection accomplish for humanity?

C. Ascension Truth — What Is Jesus Doing Now?

Ascension

Christ's enthronement at the Father's right hand

Sending of the Holy Spirit

John 16:4-15

Intercession

Christ intercedes for believers
Hebrews 7:23-28

Kingship

Christ rules as King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Revelation 19:11-18

Final Judgment

John 5:26-27
Acts 10:42
2 Timothy 4:1

Central Question:

What is Christ doing now, and what will He ultimately accomplish?

The Big Picture

You could reduce the entire lesson to this progression:

WHO IS JESUS?
↓
Council of Nicaea — He is truly God
↓
Christological Controversies — What does it mean for Jesus to be God and man?
↓
INCARNATION — God became man
↓
REDEMPTION — Christ died and rose to accomplish salvation
↓
ASCENSION — Christ reigns, intercedes, sends the Spirit, and will return

This gives you a strong teaching structure because it moves from historical controversy → theological definition → biblical understanding → practical significance.

Celebration Event

~ Celebration ~

BE INSPIRED