Mysteries of the Messiah

02.02.02 Ante-Nicene Fathers. The Ante-Nicene Fathers are those church leaders who were influential prior to the Church Council of Nicea in the year 325, but after the Apostolic Fathers who were personally taught by the apostles.  The ante-Nicene Fathers discussed a wide variety of theological and church issues. Since they lived within three centuries of Jesus, they present valuable insight into the cultural and background setting, as well as early interpretations of Scripture.