Replies

Yes, of course you’re right.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The First Council of Nicaea was convened in the year 325 AD.

It began on July 4, 325, and lasted for about two months. The council was called by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and brought together approximately 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire.

you guys refer to the Council of Nicea, but have you even read anything of what that council discussed (forget about agreed on)?

or let me take a more basic fact -- you, R2nd, wrote brought together approximately 300 bishops from across the Roman Empire.

The fact that there were bishops and this invitation was sent to the Bishop of Rome, should tell you that there ALREADY WAS a hierarchical structure, an episcopate in place

Did you ever stop to think THAT?

Regarding the First Council of Nicea - Pope Sylvester I, the bishop of Rome from 314 to 335 CE, was the reigning pope during the council and he sent representatives (legates) to act on his behalf, a common practice for bishops, especially those of advanced age (sylvester was in his late 60s) or with logistical constraints. The evidence shows that Sylvester’s legates, Vitus (or Vito) and Vincentius, both priests, represented Rome at the council, affirming the pope’s authority and involvement without his physical presence.

Eusebius (Life of Constantine 3.7) and other sources confirm that Vitus and Vincentius, priests sent by Sylvester, represented the Roman see. Their presence is noted in the council’s proceedings, and they signed the Nicene Creed and canons on behalf of Rome, indicating papal endorsement.

Irenaeus in his 180 AD Against Heresies wrote that the bishop of Rome held a position of honor due to the city’s apostolic foundation by Peter and Paul --> this was acknowledged by the Council of Nicaea’s Canon 6

The council’s decisions, including the Nicene Creed and the condemnation of Arianism, were sent to Rome for approval, as noted by later historians like Sozomen Ecclesiastical History c 440 AD

And I'm going to bet that neither of you realize that the Council of Nicea already had the Catholic dogmas, theology and ecclesiastic structure in place and the council was about something else completely

Do you even know WHAT was discussed?

The major impetus for the calling of the Council of Nicaea arose in a theological dispute among the Christian clergy of Alexandria concerning the nature of Jesus, his origin, and relation to God the Father

The Trinity was already acknowledged but Arius taught a lighter form of adoptionism

The outcome of the council was the Nicene creed and some aspects of canon law like
ordination of a bishop in the presence of at least three provincial bishops and confirmation by the metropolitan bishop
confirmation of ancient customs giving jurisdiction over large regions to the bishops of Alexandria, Rome, and Antioch
recognition of the honorary rights of the see of Jerusalem
those who were fulfilling penance could receive communion if they were dying, but if they got well again, they were to finish their penance
bishops, presbyters, and deacons were not to wander into neighboring cities to officiate

These should tell you that the structure was already in place - as evidenced in 1st and 2nd century writings.

So conclusively, the Church was formed in the 1st century at Pentecost.