Council of Ephesus on Authority of Scripture

431 · ECUMENICAL COUNCIL · DOCUMENT, NOT A PERSON

READ IN A PRIMARY SOURCEAFFIRMS°

STANCE

Scripture with tradition and church teaching office

"it is unlawful for any man to bring forward, or to write, or to compose a different (heteran) Faith."

Canon 7

THE POSITION

Canon 7 closes creed-making: it is unlawful to compose or bring forward any faith rival to Nicaea, on pain of deposition for clergy and anathema for laity. The Nicene symbol is described as established by the fathers assembled with the Holy Spirit — a Spirit-guaranteed conciliar standard. The council also receives Cyril's letters and Pope Celestine's judgment as authoritative.

8 OTHERS HOLD THIS

Aquinas Basil the Great Chalcedon Chrysostom Constantinople I Nicaea I William of Ockham John Duns Scotus

Scripture alone is the final, only infallible authorityJACOBUS ARMINIUS · VODDIE BAUCHAM · CALVIN · JONATHAN EDWARDS · THE CHURCH OF ELEVEN22 STATEMENT OF FAITH · CHARLES GRANDISON FINNEY · BILLY GRAHAM · M. HEISER · JOSH HOWERTON · TIM KELLER · SECOND LONDON BAPTIST CONFESSION · LUTHER · JOHN MACARTHUR · PHILIP MELANCHTHON · GAVIN ORTLUND · JOHN OWEN · JUSTIN PETERS · JOHN PIPER · R.C. SPROUL · WESLEY · WESTMINSTER CONFESSION · GEORGE WHITEFIELD · ZWINGLI

Scripture supreme, recognized and interpreted through the churchATHANASIUS · AUGUSTINE · IRENAEUS

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ABOUT THIS FIGURE

Affirmed Mary as Theotokos and the unity of Christ's person against Nestorius. Closed creed-making beyond Nicaea, and condemned the Pelagian Celestius.

4 OF 5 POSITIONS QUOTED

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"Council of Ephesus on Authority of Scripture", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/ephesus-431/scripture-authority (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/ephesus-431/scripture-authority).

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