The following research on the Council of Nicaea was done by Dennis Hinks from 1983-1999 and is also covered in the book by Frances Legge, Forerunners Of Christianity (1964).

The Scriptures teach that there is only one God, they also teach that Christ is God. We will look at the view of Christ, the action taken at Nicaea and the reaction to the Nicene formula. The Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) condemned Arianism and affirmed the Son of God to be identical in essence. A statement (creed) was written in an attempt to accurately define the relationship between Jesus and God. A certain controversial, misunderstood word is included in the creed. This word “coessential” means that the Father and Son are said to share the same essence. Though it was in agreement with the spirit of the creed, this word’s inclusion caused discontent for some theologians of the time. For political reasons, Emperor Constantine temporarily upheld the Orthodox view. Through his influence, nearly everyone signed the creed, in spite of the controversial word. The issue here involved the question of how Jesus (the Son) is God. These definitions are not to be interpreted as an implied denial of the fact that Jesus (the Son) was also human.

It is important to note a little history about Constantine. He became powerful in Christianity based on the outcome of a very important battle. Before he embarked for the battle, he received a vision in which a cross appeared to him and he was commanded to fight under the sign of the cross in battle. If he did this, he would be victorious. Therefore, he instructed his entire army to emblazon the symbol of the cross on their shields. They fought the battle victoriously. He was in such gratitude, he established the city of Constantinople as the headquarters of Christianity, and became integral to the forming of Christianity, stabilizing it as the official religion in Rome.