Canon and the Ancient Christian Bible — Church Historical Setting

The Council of Nicaea

AD 325

Bishops gathered at Nicaea to confess the Son as truly divine and to answer the teaching of Arius.

Full Account

Constantine summoned bishops from across the empire. The council produced a creed affirming that the Son is of the same divine essence as the Father and addressed questions of church order and the dating of Easter.

Popular claims that Nicaea chose the books of the Bible are historically false. No surviving canon from the council lists New Testament books, and evidence of recognized Gospels and apostolic letters long predates AD 325.

Historical Significance

Nicaea was crucial for Trinitarian doctrine but should not be misrepresented as the event that created or selected the biblical canon.

People, Places and Sources

Key people: Constantine; Arius; Athanasius; bishops of the council
Key places: Nicaea; Roman Empire
Languages: Greek, Latin
Scripture: John 1:1-3
Colossians 1:15-20
Hebrews 1:1-4