Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed is a statement of Christian faith that was first formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and later expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 CE. It is one of the most widely accepted creeds in Christianity, used by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant churches. The creed was designed to affirm core Christian beliefs, especially regarding the nature of the Trinity, and to establish orthodoxy in response to theological disputes, particularly Arianism.

Text of the Nicene Creed

The version of the Nicene Creed commonly used in Christian liturgies today is based on the expansion made at the Council of Constantinople. Here is the English text of the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,

begotten of the Father before all ages,

Light of Light, true God of true God,

begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father;

by whom all things were made;

who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven,

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man;

and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried;

and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures;

and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father;

and he shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead;

whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life,

who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],

who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,

who spoke by the prophets.

And in one holy catholic and apostolic Church;

we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins;

we look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Key Beliefs Affirmed in the Nicene Creed

1. The Trinity: The creed articulates the belief in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This triune understanding of God was critical in countering Arianism, which argued that Jesus was subordinate to the Father and not fully divine.
2. The Divinity of Jesus: The creed emphasizes that Jesus Christ is "begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father," affirming His divine nature. This language rejects the Arian view by asserting that Jesus shares the same divine essence as God the Father and is co-eternal with Him.
3. The Incarnation: The creed affirms the belief that Jesus "came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man." This means that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, essential to the doctrine of salvation in Christianity.
4. The Crucifixion and Resurrection: The creed recounts Jesus's crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, His suffering, burial, and resurrection on the third day, emphasizing the belief in His victory over death and His role in human salvation.
5. The Ascension and Second Coming: It asserts that Jesus ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. This reinforces the belief in Jesus's ongoing divine authority and the hope of His future return.
6. The Holy Spirit: The creed describes the Holy Spirit as the "Lord and Giver of Life," who proceeds from the Father (and the Son, according to Western Christianity). The Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son and is worshipped and glorified with them.
7. The Church and Baptism: The creed mentions "one holy catholic and apostolic Church," signifying the unity and universality of the Church. The phrase "one baptism for the forgiveness of sins" underscores the importance of baptism as a sacrament of initiation and forgiveness.
8. Resurrection and Eternal Life: The creed concludes with the hope of resurrection and eternal life, a central Christian belief in the future renewal of creation and the promise of life beyond death.

Significance of the Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed serves as a unifying statement of Christian belief and is often recited during worship services, especially in liturgical traditions. It is considered a touchstone of orthodoxy, providing clarity on foundational Christian doctrines. The creed remains a defining element in the theology of many Christian denominations and is a symbol of unity across diverse Christian traditions.