Arianism originated in the early centuries of the Christian era and became one of the most contentious controversies in the history of the church. Arius, a presbyter in Alexandria born around 256 C.E., is credited with advancing the view that Jesus, the Son of God, was a created being and not coeternal with Jehovah. Arius, whose teachings emerged in the milieu of Alexandrian theological thought, was greatly influenced by the prevailing Greek rationalism and the Logos Christology. He claimed that because Jehovah is immutable and unique, nothing can share in His divine nature. Consequently, Arius argued that the Son was made out of nothing, being created before all things yet not eternal in the same way as the Father. Scripture clearly affirms the eternal nature of Jehovah, for it is written, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are Jehovah” (Psalm 90:2).
Arius’s teachings quickly stirred controversy in the church of Alexandria. His conflicts with Bishop Alexander led to a series of synods that attempted to reconcile differing views but ultimately resulted in the anathematization of his doctrine. Under the reign of Emperor Constantine, the debate intensified. In 325 C.E., the Council of Nicaea was convened, and it decisively rejected the Arian position by affirming that the Son is “begotten, not made” and is “of one substance with the Father.” Despite this ruling, Arianism persisted for several decades, finding support among certain bishops and even within the imperial court. The controversy not only challenged the understanding of Christ’s nature but also threatened the unity of the church. In the eyes of orthodox Christians, the Arian heresy undermined the clear biblical teaching that Jesus is truly God.
The Theological Claims of Arianism
Arianism rests on the fundamental claim that Jesus, while exalted and given the title “Son of God,” was not eternal but a creature who had a beginning. Arius maintained that since Jehovah is uncreated and incomparable, no part of His essence can be shared by any created being. He argued that the term “only begotten” (monogenēs) applied in a sense that denoted uniqueness rather than an eternal, uncreated nature. According to Arius, Jesus was the first and most exalted of all created beings, but he did not partake in the full divine nature of Jehovah. The Arian view contends that “there was a time when he was not,” emphasizing the created nature of Christ. This view, however, conflicts with the clear testimony of Scripture. For instance, John 1:1–3 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Jehovah, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with Jehovah. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being that has come into being.” This passage leaves no doubt that Jesus, identified as the Word, is eternal and the Creator of all.
Arius’s opponents argued that his teaching reduces Christ to a mere creature and, in doing so, diminishes the power of salvation. If Jesus were created, then His ability to redeem fallen humankind would be compromised. The apostle Paul reinforces the true nature of Christ when he writes, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 2:9). This assertion upholds that Jesus fully shares in Jehovah’s divine essence. Moreover, the title “Son of God” in the biblical context does not imply created status but denotes a unique, eternal relationship with the Father. In John 5:18, when Jesus calls Jehovah His Father, His contemporaries understood this as a claim to equality with Jehovah—a claim that led to accusations of blasphemy because nothing in creation can equal Jehovah. The theological implications of Arianism were grave, for they threatened the very foundation of Christian salvation by implying that the One who redeems is not fully God.
The Orthodox Response and the Nicene Creed
The council convened at Nicaea in 325 C.E. was a turning point in the fight against Arianism. Bishops from across the empire gathered to deliberate on the nature of Christ and to restore doctrinal unity. The council produced the Nicene Creed, which unequivocally stated that the Son is “begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father.” This formulation was designed to counter the Arian contention by affirming that Jesus is coeternal and consubstantial with Jehovah. The creed’s emphasis on the shared substance (homoousios) of the Father and the Son became the bedrock of orthodox Christian belief.
The Nicene Creed not only rejected the Arian view but also provided a clear expression of the mystery of the Trinity. Scripture declares, “God is one; and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The unity of Jehovah does not preclude the existence of distinct persons, as revealed in the clear revelation of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, possessing the same eternal nature. The Council of Constantinople in 381 C.E. later reaffirmed the Nicene Creed, further clarifying that the Holy Spirit is also God. The orthodox position is that the full deity of Christ is essential for the efficacy of salvation. As 1 Timothy 2:5 declares, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Only a God who is truly divine can serve as the mediator and reconciler of fallen humankind with Jehovah.
Athanasius, the staunch defender of the Nicene faith, played a pivotal role in the struggle against Arianism. His uncompromising stance was rooted in the clear teaching of Scripture, as seen in verses like John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Athanasius argued that the incarnation of Jesus—God becoming man—could not be accomplished by a mere creature. It required a God who was uncreated and eternal, capable of offering a sacrifice sufficient to atone for sin. The orthodox response to Arianism was not merely a matter of doctrinal debate; it was vital for the preservation of the gospel message that Christ is fully God and fully man, capable of reconciling humanity to Jehovah.
Scriptural Affirmations of Christ’s Eternal Deity
The Scriptures are unequivocal in their portrayal of Jesus as eternal and uncreated. John 1:1–3 makes it clear that “the Word was God” and that all things were created through Him. This divine status is not a later development but is intrinsic to Jesus from the beginning of time. The apostle Paul further reinforces this truth when he writes, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things were created” (Colossians 1:15–16). These verses establish that Jesus is not a created being but the eternal Son of God through whom all things exist.
In addition, the testimony of Jesus Himself confirms His divine nature. When He declared, “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58) He was not making a mere historical statement but asserting His eternal existence and divine identity. The phrase “I am” is the same self-revelation that Jehovah gave to Moses at the burning bush, underscoring the shared, eternal nature of the Father and the Son. Furthermore, the unique relationship between the Father and the Son is revealed in passages such as John 10:30, where Jesus states, “I and the Father are one.” Such declarations leave no room for the Arian claim that Jesus was a created being. The consistent message of the Bible is that the Son shares fully in the nature, power, and glory of Jehovah, making Him worthy of worship and the only mediator for salvation.
The Doctrinal Implications of Arianism
Arianism not only distorts the nature of Christ but also has far-reaching implications for the doctrine of salvation. If Jesus were not fully divine, His sacrificial death on the cross could not have accomplished the redemption of sin. Hebrews 9:14 teaches that “by means of the blood of Christ, the eternal and unchangeable, we have been cleansed.” The eternal nature of Christ is essential to the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Only God, being eternal and unchangeable, can offer a sacrifice of infinite value capable of reconciling sinful humanity to Jehovah. Arianism, by reducing Christ to a created being, undermines the foundation of Christian redemption.
The salvific work of Christ is intimately connected to His divine nature. As 1 John 4:2–3 states, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” Arianism, which denies the full divinity of Christ, falls under the category of the antichrist spirit that opposes the clear teaching of Scripture. The orthodox understanding affirms that the only way for humanity to be reconciled to Jehovah is through a mediator who is both fully God and fully man—a truth that is incompatible with the Arian position.
Moreover, the denial of the full deity of Christ leads to a diminished view of the glory and majesty of Jehovah. Scripture teaches that every aspect of creation, from the vastness of the heavens to the intricacies of human life, reflects the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). If Jesus were a creature rather than the eternal Son, the unchanging nature of Jehovah would be compromised. The doctrine of the Trinity, as affirmed by the orthodox faith, upholds that Jehovah is one in essence yet three in persons. This profound mystery is the foundation of the Christian revelation and serves as a safeguard against any teaching that seeks to limit or distort the nature of God.
The Council of Nicaea and the Final Victory over Arianism
The first ecumenical council at Nicaea in 325 C.E. was a decisive moment in the history of the church. Bishops from across the empire gathered to settle the controversy that Arius had ignited. The resulting Nicene Creed established the orthodox doctrine that the Son is “of one substance with the Father.” This formulation was not a human invention but a faithful expression of the revelation given in Scripture. The creed’s language, particularly the term homoousios, directly refuted the Arian claim that Jesus was a created being. It affirmed that Jesus is eternally begotten of the Father and shares in the uncreated nature of Jehovah.
The victory of the Nicene Creed was further secured by subsequent councils, including the Council of Constantinople in 381 C.E., which reaffirmed the eternal and uncreated nature of the Son and the full deity of the Holy Spirit. These councils demonstrated that the truth of Scripture could not be compromised by any rationalistic reinterpretation that diminished the glory of Jehovah. The orthodox response to Arianism was not merely a defensive measure; it was a bold declaration that the Christian faith is rooted in the eternal truths revealed by Jehovah. The final defeat of Arianism was achieved through the diligent work of theologians such as Athanasius and the Cappadocian Fathers—Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa—who defended the doctrine of the Trinity with unwavering commitment to the truth of Scripture.
The Enduring Lessons of the Arian Controversy
The struggle against Arianism offers timeless lessons for today’s believers. First, it underscores the importance of adhering to the clear teaching of Scripture without compromise. The Bible unequivocally reveals that Jesus is eternal, uncreated, and fully God. Any doctrine that deviates from this truth undermines the very foundation of salvation. As 2 Timothy 3:16 declares, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” The authority of Jehovah’s Word remains the ultimate standard by which all teachings must be judged.
Second, the Arian controversy reminds us of the necessity for unity in the church. The divisiveness wrought by Arianism led to significant strife and division among believers. However, the resolution of this controversy through the ecumenical councils demonstrates that a commitment to biblical truth can overcome even the most deeply entrenched errors. The unity of the church is found in the common confession of the eternal truths of the Trinity, which is the cornerstone of the Christian faith.
Finally, the historical struggle against Arianism serves as a call to vigilance. In every age, there are those who would distort the clear teachings of Scripture for their own purposes. It is the responsibility of every believer to be firmly grounded in the Word of God and to defend the truth with courage and conviction. As 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” The legacy of the Arian controversy challenges us to remain steadfast in our commitment to the revealed truth of Jehovah, rejecting any teaching that diminishes His glory.
The Biblical Foundation of the Trinity
Central to the orthodox Christian faith is the doctrine of the Trinity—a truth that stands in stark opposition to Arianism. The Scriptures clearly articulate that Jehovah exists as one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The biblical basis for the Trinity is found throughout the New Testament. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This command affirms the distinct yet unified nature of the three persons of the Godhead. Each person is fully and equally God, sharing in the same eternal nature and essence. The unity and diversity within the Godhead are essential to the Christian understanding of salvation, for only a God who is both transcendent and immanent can accomplish the redemption of fallen humankind.
The clear teaching of Scripture is that the Father is the source of all things, the Son is the eternal Word through whom all things were made, and the Holy Spirit is the helper who confirms the truth of Jehovah’s Word in the hearts of believers. As Colossians 2:9 states, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” This passage affirms that Jesus is not a partial or subordinate deity but fully shares in the divine nature of Jehovah. The doctrine of the Trinity is not an abstract philosophical idea but a reality revealed by Jehovah to secure our salvation. Without a fully divine Savior, the redemption of sin would be impossible, for only God, being perfect and unchangeable, can offer a sacrifice that has eternal efficacy.
Refuting the Arian Errors Through Scripture
Arianism errs fundamentally by asserting that Christ was a created being and that his divinity is subordinate to the Father. Such views are directly refuted by numerous passages in Scripture. John 1:3 clearly states, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being that has come into being.” This declaration leaves no room for the notion that Jesus was ever a created being. In addition, the statement in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation” must be understood in its proper cultural context. In ancient Semitic language, the term “firstborn” signifies preeminence and honor rather than a literal order of creation. When understood in this light, it affirms that Jesus is supreme over all creation, possessing an eternal nature that is fully shared with Jehovah.
Jesus Himself made declarations that affirm His full divinity. In John 8:58, when Jesus declared, “Before Abraham was, I am,” He was not merely referring to His existence before Abraham, but was affirming His eternal, uncreated nature by using the divine name, echoing Jehovah’s self-revelation to Moses. Moreover, in John 10:30, Jesus stated, “I and the Father are one,” a statement that his Jewish contemporaries recognized as a claim to equality with Jehovah, for nothing in creation is equal to Jehovah. Such assertions provide clear, biblical evidence that the Arian view, which seeks to subordinate the Son, is entirely contrary to the revelation of Jehovah’s Word.
The Lasting Relevance of the Arian Controversy
The conflict over Arianism was not confined to the early centuries of the church but has continued to influence modern discussions on the nature of Christ. Today, some contemporary groups echo the Arian perspective under different labels, often denying the full deity of Christ and promoting a form of extreme Unitarianism. It remains crucial for every believer to be well-versed in the biblical teaching on the Trinity in order to recognize and refute any distortion of this central doctrine. The eternal truth revealed in Scripture provides a firm foundation for discerning error and safeguarding the integrity of the gospel message.
The church’s triumph over Arianism is a testament to the power and authority of Jehovah’s Word. The ecumenical councils that condemned Arianism were guided by a commitment to the clear teachings of Scripture, and their decisions have echoed throughout church history. As we study the history of Arianism, we are reminded that the truth of the gospel is not subject to human reinterpretation or compromise. The Bible stands as the final authority on the nature of God, and its testimony is unwavering: Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the eternal Son who is coequal and consubstantial with Jehovah.
Upholding the Truth in a Changing World
In every age, the church must be vigilant in its defense of the truth. The legacy of the Arian controversy teaches us that even well-educated and influential voices can stray from the clear teachings of Scripture if they rely solely on human wisdom. As believers, our commitment is to the infallible Word of Jehovah. We must be steadfast in proclaiming that “the sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). This unwavering truth is the foundation upon which our faith is built and the standard against which all teachings must be measured.
The battle against any form of Christological error is ongoing, and it requires a deep and abiding knowledge of Scripture. Every believer is called to be prepared to defend the faith with clarity and conviction, following the command of 1 Peter 3:15 to “always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” The victory over Arianism, achieved by the early church through the steadfast proclamation of biblical truth, serves as an enduring reminder that only a God who is eternal and uncreated can bring salvation to fallen humanity.
Conclusion: Embracing the Eternal Truth of Jehovah’s Revelation
The historical and theological struggle against Arianism reveals the importance of adhering to the eternal truths revealed in Scripture. Arianism, with its claim that Jesus was a created being, stands in direct opposition to the clear teaching that Jesus is eternal, uncreated, and fully God. The councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, guided by the light of Jehovah’s Word, decisively refuted the errors of Arianism by affirming the doctrine of the Trinity—that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in essence and coeternal in nature.
The Bible, in its inspired revelation, leaves no doubt about the eternal nature of Christ. Passages such as John 1:1–3, Colossians 1:15–16, and John 8:58 testify to the divinity of the Son, affirming that He is not a mere creature but the eternal Word through whom all things were made. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith, for it is only through the sacrifice of a fully divine Savior that fallen humankind can be reconciled to Jehovah. As 1 Timothy 2:5 reminds us, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.”
The enduring relevance of the Arian controversy calls every believer to study the Scriptures diligently, to understand the depth of Jehovah’s revelation, and to stand firm against any teaching that distorts the nature of Christ. The victory of orthodox Christology over Arianism is not merely a historical event but an ongoing testimony to the unchanging truth of Jehovah’s Word. In a world where many teachings fluctuate with the shifting winds of culture, the eternal truth of the Bible remains our steadfast guide.
May every believer continue to embrace the full revelation of the Triune God, upholding the biblical doctrine that Jesus is truly eternal and coequal with Jehovah. In doing so, we honor the Creator and secure the foundation of our salvation, confident in the knowledge that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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