What was the primary goal of ecumenical councils in the early Church?

The primary goal of ecumenical councils in the early Church was to resolve disputes and clarify doctrinal issues. These councils were convened to address significant theological controversies and to establish unified beliefs within the Christian community. For instance, the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was primarily aimed at settling the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Christ. Such gatherings brought together bishops and theologians from various regions, allowing for extensive discussion and debate on critical matters of faith. The decisions made at these councils, such as the Nicene Creed, were pivotal in defining core Christian doctrines and helping to maintain theological consistency and unity among the faithful.

Fostering interfaith dialogue, while an important aspect of contemporary ecclesiastical relations, was not the primary focus of these early councils, which were more concerned with internal disputes. Supporting missionary work, though vital for the expansion of the Church, was not a direct function of the councils themselves. The canonization of the New Testament involved a different process and timeline and was not a central task of ecumenical councils, which were concentrated on resolving doctrinal issues and promoting orthodox beliefs.