Arius, presbyter of Alexandria in the 4th century, taught that God had created Jesus Christ at a specific time as His instrument for saving the world. Although a perfect man, the Son must be subordinate to the Father, his nature human rather than divine. The doctrine appealed to many in all ranks, threatening to tear the newly legalized religion apart. The first Byzantine Emperor, Constantine, convened the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) to resolve the dispute. It decided that Jesus is co-eternal with God the Father and of the same substance with Him. It anathematized Arius.