Church Councils in the Bible and Early Church

[Tolkien1096]

Since councils have such importance on catholic dogma and thinking. I was hoping some posters would give examples from both the bible and the early church on the importance of councils.

 

[twf]

The most obvious Biblical example would be the Council of Jerusalem as described in Acts 15. When a dispute arose in the early Church, did each local church independently read the Scriptures to arrive at a solution? Nope. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem held a council and then communicated their decisions to all the churches. The text of the Acts makes it clear that the Council’s decisions were binding on all the local churches.

Then of course we wouldn’t even have a Bible if not for councils. How do you think the canon of scripture (which books belong in the Bible) was determined?

 

[dochawk]

I was hoping some posters would give examples from both the bible and the early church on the importance of councils.

You have it exactly backwards.

The question is, what examples there are from the early church and councils on this “Bible” thing . . .

[moved to Sacred Scriptures]

 

[KIM.T]

Councils were very important in the early Church since many of the doctrines were not fully defined. Whenever a heretical teaching started, the council would meet to clarify or proclaim a doctrine to counteract these heresies. That is how we go the title of Mary Mother of God (Theotokos). Many heretical movements were determined to be so and rejected by these councils. Two examples are the teachings of Arius and of Nestorius.

Canon Laws, dates of celebrations had to be established (eg Easter) during these early councils. The Creed (eg Nicene) was also established at these councils.

 

[Hodos]

Then of course we wouldn’t even have a Bible if not for councils. How do you think the canon of scripture (which books belong in the Bible) was determined?

Which came first, the council or the canon? If you read up on the history of the creation of the canon, the canon was largely recognized long before councils began declaring it.

 

[twf]

Which came first, the council or the canon? If you read up on the history of the creation of the canon, the canon was largely recognized long before councils began declaring it.

Not universally so. There was much overlap, but certainly not a single canon of Scripture. The Church always has a “sense” of the correct faith…what we call the sensus fidelium… but when there are disputes or uncertainty, Councils settle the matter. This would apply to the canon.
For that matter, there still isn’t. The canon wasn’t definitively settled for the Catholic Church until Trent…as such there are still ancient Christian churches that use different canons. I understand that the Syriac Orthodox, for example, don’t use Revelation.

 

[adf417]

Which came first, the council or the canon? If you read up on the history of the creation of the canon, the canon was largely recognized long before councils began declaring it.

Largely? I dont think so. I would think the opposite. Not only was it not recognizes “it”, the would be canon, was growing out of control if you look at the historical local canons of each bishop.

Peace!!!

 

[fhansen]

Yes, either way without the councils there may not even be a bible, or a bible anything like we have today. In the same vein, from a broader perspective, without the Church Christianity would most likely barely be a memory by this point in history.

 

[adf417]

Yes, either way without the councils there may not even be a bible, or a bible anything like we have today. In the same vein, from a broader perspective, without the Church Christianity would most likely barely be a memory by this point in history.

And here is a graphic representation of that point-

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