Final answer:
The Council of Nicaea, called in 325 CE by Emperor Constantine, was the first ecumenical council aimed at resolving the Arian controversy by establishing the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Council of Nicaea and Ecumenical Councils
The Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE. This council represented the first ecumenical council, which is a term used to describe a gathering of bishops from across the Christian world to deliberate on theological issues of universal importance. The primary objective of the Council of Nicaea was to address the Arian controversy, rooted in the teachings of Arius that questioned the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Arian view suggested that Jesus was not of the same essence as God the Father, positing that he was created out of nothing and had a beginning. The council eventually rejected Arianism and adopted the Nicene Creed, affirming Jesus as 'consubstantial' with the Father, emphasizing His divine nature.
An ecumenical council is defined as a gathering organized by emperors that brought Christian bishops together to resolve doctrinal disputes within the Church. Originating from the Greek word 'oikoumene', it refers to the whole inhabited world and aims to express doctrines meant to be universally accepted by Christians. These councils have historically been instrumental in establishing orthodoxy and addressing heresies, thereby shaping the core beliefs and practices of the Christian church.
The term 'ecumenical council' also captures the universal scope of these meetings, suggesting that their decisions were intended for Christians everywhere. The Council of Nicaea's impact was profound as it set a precedent for future religious assemblies to define central elements of Christian doctrine, such as the relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father.