Heresy: Arianism

Introduction: The Unchanging Truth of Jesus' Deity

Tonight, we're going to delve into a foundational truth of our faith: the absolute deity of Jesus Christ (meaning the Jesus was God in human form). This isn't just an academic discussion; it’s a truth that shapes our worship, our understanding of salvation, and our very relationship with God. Throughout Christian history, there have been challenges to this truth, and one of the most significant was a teaching known as Arianism. Arianism sought to diminish Jesus, making Him less than fully God, but evangelical Christians have always stood firm on the biblical revelation that Jesus is God incarnate, co-eternal and co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Understanding this historical challenge helps us appreciate the depth and power of what we believe about our Lord and Savior.

The Rise of Arianism: A Challenge to Christ's Nature

To grasp the weight of Arianism, we must travel back to the early fourth century, to the bustling city of Alexandria, Egypt. Here, a presbyter (Elder or Minister) named Arius (c. AD 250/256–336) began to teach a doctrine that profoundly shook the Christian world. Arius asserted that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was not eternal but was created by God the Father. He argued that "there was a time when the Son was not." In Arius's view, Jesus was the first and greatest of God's creations, a divine being, but still a creature, and therefore subordinate to God the Father. This teaching directly contradicted the belief that Jesus was fully God, of the same essence as the Father.

The implications of Arius's teaching were immense. If Jesus was a created being, even a divine one, then He could not truly be God. This would undermine the very core of Christian worship, for how could one worship a created being as God? It also jeopardized the doctrine of salvation; if only God could save humanity from sin, then a created Christ could not fully accomplish our redemption.

The controversy quickly spread, causing significant division within the early Church. Bishops and theologians across the Roman Empire took sides, leading to heated debates and intense theological struggles. This wasn't merely a disagreement over words; it was a battle for the very identity of Jesus Christ and the nature of God Himself.

The Council of Nicaea and the Affirmation of Truth

The turmoil grew so great that the Roman Emperor Constantine, who had recently legalized Christianity, called for a universal council of bishops to resolve the dispute. This monumental gathering, known as the Council of Nicaea, convened in AD 325. At this council, over 300 bishops from various parts of the Roman Empire came together to discuss and decide on the nature of Christ.

Just so we’re clear on what was discussed and done at the Council Nicea 325 A.D.:

Arianism addressed

Nicene Creed was created. The final version was completed in 381 AD at the Council of Constantinople. Confirmed in 451 AD (Chalcedon) as the definitive orthodox statement.

Easter Calculation… Easter would be the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Between March 22nd and April 25th.

Canon Laws (rules) for the clergy:

Canon 1: the prohibition of self-castration

Canon 2: proper training for new believers before ordination

Canon 3: forbidding clergy from living with an unrelated woman

Canon 4: Mandated that Bishops should be appointed by at least 3 bishops, with metropolitan ratification, though exceptions for necessity are allowed

Canon 8, 12: Established procedures for readmitting lapsed Christians (heretics) and those from schismatic groups

The primary opponent of Arius at Nicaea was a young deacon named Athanasius, who would later become the Bishop of Alexandria. Athanasius passionately defended the biblical truth of Christ's full deity, arguing that Jesus was "of one substance" (homoousios) with the Father. His unwavering stand was crucial in guiding the council to its decision.

After much deliberation, the Council of Nicaea formally condemned Arianism as heresy. The bishops affirmed the full deity of Jesus Christ, declaring in the Nicene Creed that Jesus is "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father." This creed became a cornerstone of orthodox Christian belief, firmly establishing that Jesus is co-eternal, co-equal, and co-essential with God the Father.

Though Arianism was condemned at Nicaea, its influence did not immediately disappear. The theological battle continued for decades, with periods where Arian sympathizers gained significant power. However, through the persistent efforts of faithful leaders like Athanasius, and the clear testimony of Scripture, the Church ultimately upheld the truth of Christ's full divinity.

Theological Affirmation: "God Manifest in the Flesh"

Throughout history, evangelical theologians have consistently affirmed the full deity of Jesus Christ. This is not a man-made doctrine but a truth clearly revealed in God's Word. As early church fathers and later evangelical thinkers have emphasized, Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or a supreme angel; He is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16).

The Apostle John, in his Gospel, opens with a powerful declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1, 14, ESV). This unmistakably identifies Jesus (the Word) as eternally existing with God and being God Himself, who then took on human form.

The Apostle Paul further underscores this truth:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:15-17, ESV). This passage attributes creation and sustenance of the universe to Jesus, roles that belong only to God.

"Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7, ESV). This highlights Jesus' pre-existence in divine form and His voluntary condescension to humanity.

The book of Hebrews eloquently states: "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3, ESV). This verse portrays Jesus as the perfect representation and sustainer of God's essence, again affirming His divine nature.

These scriptures, among many others, paint a consistent picture: Jesus is not a created being, but the eternal, uncreated God, fully divine and fully human. This truth is central to evangelical understanding of who God is and what He has done for us.

Application for Our Lives Today

Understanding the full deity of Jesus Christ has profound implications for every aspect of our lives as evangelical Christians:

If Jesus is truly God, then He is worthy of our complete and utter worship. We don't just admire Him or respect Him; we adore Him as the Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 19:16). Our worship is directed to Him because He is God (John 5:23).Our Worship: 

The full deity of Christ is essential for our salvation. Only a divine Savior, one who is perfectly holy and infinite, could bear the infinite wrath of God for our sins. As finite humans, we could never atone for our own sin. But because Jesus is God, His sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to fully pay the penalty for all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our redemption is secure because our Redeemer is God Himself. This means that by grace, through faith, we can repent of our sins and receive forgiveness and eternal life through Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).Our Salvation: 

When we pray, we can approach Jesus directly, knowing that He is God and hears our prayers. He is not a mediator who merely relays messages to God; He is God who intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) and receives our requests.Our Prayer Life: 

Because Jesus is God, His promises are unbreakable, His power is limitless, and His presence is constant. We can face life's challenges and uncertainties with unwavering hope, knowing that the eternal God is with us (Matthew 28:20) and will never abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).Our Assurance and Hope: 

When we share the Gospel, we are proclaiming not just a good person or a wise teacher, but the living God who came to earth to save sinners. This elevates the urgency and power of our message. We invite others into a relationship with the God who created them, died for them, and rose again (Romans 10:9-10). The greatest problem is lostness, which is solved by a personal relationship with Christ.Our Evangelism: 

Let us stand firm in the glorious truth that Jesus Christ is fully God, eternally existent, and co-equal with the Father. This is the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation of our hope, and the wellspring of our worship.