The Council of Antioch: Defending the Divinity of Christ
The Council of Antioch on Christ’s Divinity 🔗
A provincial council held in Antioch in 268 AD addressed the divinity of Christ, condemning heretical views, particularly those of Paul of Samosata, who denied the prehuman existence of Jesus. The council emphasized that Jesus was the divine figure seen in the Old Testament, asserting His unity with God and rejecting ideas that separated His divine and human natures. The bishops argued against the notion of Christ possessing a distinct human soul, claiming instead that the divine Logos constituted His humanity. This perspective aimed to maintain Christ's unity, although it would later be labeled heretical for undermining His full humanity.
- The Antioch Council condemned Paul of Samosata’s views on Christ’s divinity.
- It argued that Jesus was the divine figure present in the Old Testament.
- The bishops believed that the Logos was the sole animating force of Christ, denying the existence of a separate human soul.
- Their stance aimed to safeguard against the idea of Christ being two distinct Persons, a notion that would later lead to accusations of heresy.
What was the main purpose of the Council of Antioch?
The council aimed to affirm Christ's divinity and unity with God while condemning heretical views that denied His prehuman existence.
Who was condemned by the council and why?
Paul of Samosata was condemned for denying the divine prehuman existence of Jesus, which the council argued undermined the nature of Christ.
How did the bishops at the council view the relationship between Christ's divine and human natures?
The bishops argued that the divine Logos constituted Christ's humanity, rejecting the idea that He had a distinct human soul to maintain His unity as one Person.