Arianism, founded by Arius in the 4th century, heretically taught that Jesus was a created human being and not eternally divine. Arianism was rejected as heresy at the Council of Nicaea in 325. The Bible affirms Jesus’ eternal divinity, describing Him as sharing God’s throne forever (Psalm 45:6), the “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6), and the exact imprint of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3). Though some passages were misunderstood by Arius to support his claims, Jesus clearly declared His divinity and oneness with the Father (John 8:58, John 10:30). The Nicene Creed established the orthodox belief in the Trinity, affirming Jesus as fully God, a truth upheld by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches but still rejected by groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. Recognizing Jesus as God is crucial because it means His sacrifice has the power to save fully and that His promises are sure. Following Jesus is a call to a personal relationship with the eternal Creator and is only possible if He is God.
Arianism also uses a misunderstanding of the biblical teaching regarding the "firstborn" to perpetuate its teaching. In Romans 8:29, for example, Jesus is called the "firstborn," yet the context is not about His physical birth but instead speaks of Him going first before others who would place their faith in Him. Jesus Himself said He existed "before Abraham" and declared Himself to be YHWH (John 8:58) and that He was one with the Father (John 10:30). The Bible is abundantly clear that Jesus claimed to be God and that He is God.
Colossians 1:15-16 tells us that Christ is the image of the invisible God.
Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature, not a created being (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, titles only applicable to God (Revelation 21:6).
Implications for today
Arianism began with Arius, a fourth-century teacher from Alexandria, Egypt, who became a central figure in a major early church debate about the nature of Jesus. The controversy focused on whether Jesus was truly God or merely a created being endowed with divine qualities. Arius taught that Jesus was created and not eternally divine. This view was rejected at the Council of Nicaea in 325, where Arius was declared a heretic, and the eternal divinity of Jesus was formally affirmed in the Nicene Creed. Arianism opposes the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches one God existing eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For centuries, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions have rejected Arianism, yet its ideas persist today in groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon Church, both of which deny the full deity of Christ and reject the Trinity.
The early church leaders at Nicaea affirmed Jesus as fully divine, reflecting the consistent teaching found in Scripture—from the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 to Jesus’ own claims and the apostles’ writings in the New Testament. While Arius was influential in his time, his teachings conflicted with the clear biblical witness and still remain outside orthodox Christian faith.
Understanding that Jesus is truly God profoundly shapes faith. If Jesus were only a created being, His sacrifice would lack the power to fully save or reveal God’s nature to us. But Scripture reveals Jesus as eternal God—sharing God’s throne forever, reigning as the “Mighty God,” and bearing the exact nature of God. Trusting in Jesus is trusting in God Himself, whose love and power are infinite. Knowing Jesus is God strengthens our assurance that His promises are certain and that His sacrifice is sufficient. His call to follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25) invites us into a deep, ongoing relationship with the eternal Creator who sustains all things. This truth calls us to worship Him wholeheartedly and depend on His divine power in every aspect of our lives.
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