Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Ecumenical Council below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that an ecumenical council — the college of bishops gathered with and under the Pope — exercises supreme authority over the universal Church when its teaching is confirmed by the Roman Pontiff. It recognizes twenty-one ecumenical councils, from Nicaea I to Vatican II.
Source: CCC 884–885 ↗
The Orthodox Church recognizes seven ecumenical councils (Nicaea I through Nicaea II) as the supreme doctrinal authority, whose decrees — received by the whole Church — are irreformable. It holds that no council after the schism with Rome can be ecumenical, since the whole Church was not gathered.
Lutherans honor the early ecumenical councils — especially Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon — as faithful expositions of Scripture on the Trinity and Christ. They hold, however, that councils are authoritative only insofar as their decrees agree with the Word of God.
The Reformed tradition teaches that synods and councils may be called by church authority, but that their decrees are to be received only as they agree with Scripture — the supreme judge. It holds that even lawful councils have erred, and their authority is ministerial and declarative, not legislative.
Baptists recognize no binding ecumenical councils, teaching that each local congregation answers directly to Christ and Scripture. They hold that councils may offer helpful historical witness, but no council's decrees bind the conscience of believers.
Methodists hold the early councils in honor as witnesses to the apostolic faith, but teach that the sufficiency of Scripture limits any council's authority — a council's decrees carry authority only insofar as they accord with the Word of God.
Source: Methodist inference from Articles of Religion, Art. V ↗
See how the traditions compare on related topics: