Constantine’s goal in convening the Nicene council was to resolve some disputes among Christians, in order to attain ecclesiastical unity, in service of (presumably his ultimate goal) of political unity within the empire. One problem with that program is that ideas about Jesus (e.g. homoousios) are not what bind the body of Christ together. Rather, the person of Jesus Himself is the only thing capable of truly uniting His people.

When Christians lack unity, increased doctrinal clarity alone will not do. Doctrine is great. Doctrine is important. Doctrine is lovely. I love doctrine. But doctrine alone doesn’t hold the church together. Jesus does. The living, breathing, person of Jesus, who walks among His lampstand churches as their Great High Priest (Rev 1), and who promised to always remain with His people as they remained active in His mission (Mt 28:20). Indeed, “in him all things hold together” (Col 1:17, emphasis added).

I like a good creed. But no matter how good the catechism, no matter how good the confession, it cannot do what Jesus alone is fit to do. Where unity is lacking, you need Jesus, you need His Presence. The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 worked because no attendees were able to deny the tangible evidence that Jesus was really, truly, actively at work through His Holy Spirit saving Gentiles, and empowering them to be His witnesses, by faith without the requirement of circumcision.

If Jesus shows up among the Nestorians, count me among the Nestorians. If Jesus shows up among the Armenian Orthodox, count me among the Armenian Orthodox. If Jesus shows up among the Reformed Evangelicals, count me among the Reformed. I’m ecstatic to be a part of any church which Jesus belongs to. But if Jesus is not “with” us or “among” us to the full extent presented in the New Testament, then I say it is needful to call a “time out,” drop all other priorities, and earnestly seek His face (as per, e.g., Deut 4:29, 2 Chron 7:14, Ps 27:8, Jer 29:13). Nothing else will do.