We need to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus, even when doing so means people steeped in the controversies and muddied water say that we are not truly Christians. Christ Jesus said to those who believe in him, “If you hold to my teachings, you are truly my disciples.”
AI puts it like this: ‘The true measure of being a follower of Christ isn’t about agreeing with fourth-century theological formulations but about holding fast to the teachings of Jesus himself. He never commanded his disciples to understand metaphysical doctrines about divine essence—he called them to faith, obedience, and love for God and neighbor(Mark 12:29-31).
Jesus also warned about traditions that obscure God’s commandments:
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8)
Many today are told that if they question Nicene or Athanasian definitions of Christ, they are not "true Christians." But Jesus never set up doctrinal creeds as a test of discipleship. Instead, he said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”(John 13:35)
That’s the standard Jesus gave—not philosophical debates over substance, essence, and nature that came centuries later.
