The Council of Constantinople the Second Ecumenical Council

The Council of Constantinople – the Second Ecumenical Council St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Saint Paul Servant Preparation Program February 29 th, 2004 • Charlotte, NC http: //www. coptic. org/stmarknc

Logistics of the Council • • • When? 381 A. D. Where? Constantinople How Many? 150 Bishops Invitation by: Emperor Theodosius the Great Important Fathers in the Attendance § Pope Timothy of Alexandria § Saint Gregory the Theologian § Saint Gregory of Nyssa The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Cause of Holing the Council • Why? To try Macedonius, who denied the • divinity of the Holy Spirit Who was Macedonius A follower of Arius A dethroned Bishop of Constantinople The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Heresy • Macedonius relied on John 1: 3 and claimed that the Holy Spirit was created “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ” John 1: 3 • When Emperor Theodosius found out about the heresy, he called for the Ecumenical Council in Constantinople to put an end to this it The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Fathers’ Response • The fathers concluded that it is a heresy because There is only one Spirit of God, that is the Holy Spirit, and since the Holy Spirit is the living Spirit of God, if there was a time when the Holy Spirit wasn’t in existence, that means God was not living • To further refute this heresy, the Council adopted the part of the creed starting from “Yes we believe in the Holy Spirit. . . ”, to the end The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit is the “Holy Spirit of God” “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ” Ephesians 4: 30 “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. ” 2 Corinthians 3: 2 -3 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • He Who Lies to the Holy Spirit Lies to God “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. ’” Acts 5: 3, 4 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit, being in the Holy Trinity, proves His divinity “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ” Acts 28: 19 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are One. ” 1 John 5: 7 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • Being the Source of Inspiration, Proves the Divinity of the Holy Spirit “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. ” 2 Peter 1: 21 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3: 1 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit Took Part, with the Father and the Son, in work of the Creation The Power to create belongs to God alone “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created” Psalm 104: 30 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. ” Job 33: 4 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Divinity of the Holy Spirit • The Holy Spirit is Present Everywhere Only God can be present everywhere “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. ” His work and dwelling in us demonstrates his presence everywhere • “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ” 1 Corinthians 3: 16 • See also 1 Corinthians 6: 19 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

A Related Heresy • Centuries after this Council, the Roman • Catholic Church decided to add to the creed that the HS proceeds from the Father AND THE SON Refutation “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. ” John 15: 26 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Holy Spirit in the Life of a Servant • The HS chooses the servants and guides their service “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. ” Acts 13: 2 “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. ” Acts 16: 6 - 7 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Holy Spirit in the Life of a Servant • He is a fiery Spirit that gives spiritual light and provides spiritual heat “Our God is a consuming fire” Hebrews 12: 29 and Exodus 24: 17 When the Holy Spirit descended on the saintly disciples, He took the form of tongues of fire. Acts 2: 3 “Zeal for Your house has eaten me up” Psalm 69: 9 “Who is made to stumble and I do not burn with indignation” 2 Corinthians 11: 29 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Fervent (Fiery) Servant • Concerned with the salvation of whoever he meets Prays and lives “Thy kingdom come” • Is fervent in prayer for the sake of his service A servant with prayer is like a soldier without a weapon The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Fervent (Fiery) Servant • When he/she begins a certain service, he/she wouldn’t stop until he perfects it “…for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. " Ruth 3: 18 Like a candle, which continues to give light to others until it completely melts The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

The Fervent (Fiery) Servant • Fervent love for God and People Fervent Prayers Fervent Dedication Fervent Faith The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC

• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. ” Galatians 5: 22 The Second Ecumenical Council – Constantinople • St. Mark Coptic Church • Charlotte, NC