The Council of Constantinople (AD 381): Necessary to defend Nicea
Douglas Kuiper examines the Council of Constantinople (AD 381) and its role in defending and expanding upon the Nicene Council's affirmation of Christ's divinity by more fully articulating the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's divinity. The article explains the theological necessity for creedal revision in response to emerging heresies and demonstrates how the early church used ecumenical councils to safeguard orthodox doctrine against false teaching.
The first ecumenical council met in Nicea in AD 325 to respond to Arianism, which taught that Christ was not eternal and therefore not God. The Council declared that Christ is indeed God, of the same essence (being) as God. It expressed this position in the Nicene Creed -- that is, in the first version of the Nicene Creed. (The Nicene Creed as we have it today is the version that was revised at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.) Pause a moment: a creed was revised. Creedal revisions...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org
Related Resources
The Gospel And AI: Why God Will Never be Pleased With an AI-Generated Sermon (Nor with the Minister Who Tries)
Barry Gritters
Standard BearerFor it Seemed Good to the Spirit and to Us*
William Langerak
Standard BearerEditor’s Notes
Unknown
Standard BearerSynod 2025 Summary
Joshua Engelsma
Standard BearerThe Minister’s Relation to Christ’s Body*
Douglas Kuiper
Standard Bearer