The ancient city of Smyrna holds a significant place in the annals of church history. It was one of the seven churches addressed by Christ in the book of Revelation, and it was the home of the early church father Polycarp (AD 69–155), the bishop of Smyrna, who gave his life for the gospel.

Today, that same city is known as Izmir, the third-largest metropolis in Turkey. It is also home to the Izmir Protestant Church (Izmir Protestan Kilisesi), a congregation faithfully shepherded since 2001 by Rev. Fikret Böcek, a graduate of Westminster Seminary California. In 2022, he was joined in ministry by Rev. Çağdaş Coşkun, a graduate of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

On May 24, 2025, this church hosted a full-day theological conference entitled “The Council of Nicaea in the Light of the Reformation,” marking the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council (AD 325). Rev. Mihai Corcea—pastor of the Reformed Church in Bucharest, Romania (Biserica Evanghelică Reformată) and a fellow Westminster Seminary California alumnus—and I were invited to participate as speakers.

The conference drew a remarkably diverse crowd: Protestants from across Asia Minor, curious secular students, and even Muslim theology students from nearby Islamic seminaries. The atmosphere throughout the day was one of gracious conviction—firmly Reformed in doctrine and warmly welcoming in spirit.

The event consisted of four sessions. Rev. Böcek opened with a lecture titled “The Road to Nicaea: Historical and Theological Reasons for the Council and Its Consequences.” He dismantled common misconceptions—such as the ideas that the Council invented Christ’s divinity or arbitrarily determined the canon—and replaced them with clear teaching grounded in historical sources and biblical truth. His central point rang loud and clear: if Christ is not truly God, He cannot truly save.

I followed with the second session: “One Substance, Three Persons: The Trinity in the Nicene Creed.” Drawing from Scripture and the wisdom of the early church, I sought to unfold the theological precision of the Creed—particularly its affirmation that the Son is “begotten, not made” and “of one substance with the Father.” These truths are not abstract; they lie at the very heart of Christian worship, assurance, and identity.

Next, Rev. Corcea delivered his talk, “Nicaea and Beyond: The Use of the Nicene Creed in Protestant and Reformed Churches.” He explored how the Reformers, including Calvin and the framers of the Belgic Confession, honored the Nicene Creed as a faithful summary of the Word of God. He showed that the Creed is not a relic of the past but a living confession central to Reformed worship, theology, and unity.

The final session, presented by Rev. Coşkun, was titled “Five Myths and One Truth: Nicaea from an Apologetic Perspective.” With clarity and gentleness, he addressed widespread errors—especially those common in Islamic critiques and popular media—and concluded with the unshakable truth: Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine, not by decree but by nature. His presentation was particularly helpful for those exploring the faith from outside Christianity.

After the sessions, all four of us participated in a panel discussion, answering 25 thoughtful and often challenging questions—many from Muslim students. The conversations were lively and respectful, characterized by honest inquiry and gospel-centered engagement.

What marked the day most was not just theological precision, but spiritual hospitality. Over meals, during breaks, and throughout the panel, conversations blossomed—full of sincerity, reflection, and a shared desire to understand. Truth and love walked hand in hand.

One attendee, Selim Goleman, a Muslim guest, described the conference as “intellectually stimulating, spiritually reflective, and warmly hosted . . . a refreshing example of how faith communities can engage critically with their traditions while extending a generous hand to those beyond their walls.”

Elif, a recent convert to Christ, shared: “The conference helped me see the Nicene Creed not as a dry ritual, but as a bold declaration of truth. Pastor Böcek’s session cleared up many common misconceptions. Pastor Brown helped me understand the Trinity. Pastor Coşkun made even deep theology accessible. It wasn’t just academic—it planted seeds of conviction in my heart.”

Yet the greatest blessing came the following day, during the Lord’s Day service at Izmir Protestant Church. The liturgy was rich with Word, Sacrament, and the singing of Psalms. Over fifty visitors joined the congregation, some drawn by the conference the previous day. Many heard the Gospel for the first time.

The highlight, however, was the baptism of eight adults, all former Muslims, who had been discipled and catechized over the past year by Pastors Böcek and Coşkun. It was a moment of great rejoicing, a testament to the living power of the Word in a land where Christ’s name is rarely honored.

For me, this weekend in Izmir was a powerful reminder: God is at work, even in a predominantly Muslim nation. Though minarets rise across the skyline and the call to prayer fills the air five times a day, Christ is nevertheless building His church—and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This is true whether we live and minister in Islamic Turkey, Roman Catholic Italy, or secularized America. Let us never forget: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ. His kingdom will advance—not by human strength, but by the sovereign power of His Word and Spirit. Soli Deo Gloria.

©Michael Brown. All Rights Reserved.

RESOURCES

• Subscribe To The Heidelblog!
• Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play
• Browse the Heidelshop!
• The Heidelblog Resource Page
• Heidelmedia Resources
• The Ecumenical Creeds
• The Reformed Confessions
• The Heidelberg Catechism
• The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025)
• Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
• Why I Am A Christian
• What Must A Christian Believe?
• Heidelblog Contributors
• Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to

Heidelberg Reformation Association
1637 E. Valley Parkway #391
Escondido CA 92027
USA
The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Post authored by:

• Mike Brown

  

  Mike Brown is pastor of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia, Milan, Italy. Prior to serving in Italy he was pastor of Christ Reformed Church, Santee, CA. He is a graduate of Westminster Seminary California, a veteran of the United States Army, and author of Christ and the Condition: The Covenant Theology of Samuel Petto (1624–1711) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Reformation Heritage Books, 2012) and co-author (with Zach Keele) of Sacred Bond : Covenant Theology Explored (Grandville, MI: Reformation Fellowship, 2017).

  More by Mike Brown ›