Heresies and schisms thumb|Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine (centre) and the bishops of the First Council of Nicaea (325) holding the Niceno–Constantinopolitan Creed of 381|alt=An Eastern icon depicting Constantine surrounded by several few bishops holding the Nicene Creed in front of them The Church was seen by its supporters as a universal church based on belief. Ancient authors identified any practice or doctrine which differed from apostolic tradition as heresy. The number of laws directed at heresy indicate it was a much higher priority than paganism for Christians of this period. Arianism embroiled the entire church, lay and clergy alike, for decades, in arguing whether Jesus' divinity was equal to the Father's. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 attempted to resolve the controversy with the Nicene Creed.
Heresies and schisms thumb|Icon depicting the Emperor Constantine (centre) and the bishops of the First Council of Nicaea (325) holding the Niceno–Constantinopolitan Creed of 381|alt=An Eastern icon depicting Constantine surrounded by several few bishops holding the Nicene Creed in front of them The Church was seen by its supporters as a universal church based on belief. Ancient au,thors identified any practice or doctrine which differed from apostolic tradition as heresy. The number of laws directed at heresy indicate it was a much higher priority than paganism for Christians of this period. Arianism embroiled the entire church lay and clergy alike, for decades, in arguing whether Jesus' divinity was equal to the Father's. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 attempted to resolve the controversy with the Nicene Creed.