The Nicene Creed

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  • The Nicene Creed, also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is one of the most significant creeds in Christianity, principally used in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant churches.

    The original version of the Nicene Creed was formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to combat the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Creed was then expanded at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD to include a more detailed description of the Holy Spirit, in response to the rising Macedonian heresy, which challenged the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

    The Creed's purpose was to define the orthodox understanding of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed affirmed the full divinity of all three persons of the Trinity, marking a pivotal point in the development of Trinitarian theology. The creed begins with the belief in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. It then affirms the belief in Jesus Christ, his only Son, who was born of the Father before all ages and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, died, and was resurrected. Lastly, the Creed professes the belief in the Holy Spirit, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

    Over the centuries, the Nicene Creed has remained a central statement of faith for most Christian denominations. However, the 'filioque' clause, which says that the Holy Spirit proceeds "from the Father and the Son," has been a source of contention between the Western and Eastern Churches. The clause was added to the Creed in the Western Church in the 6th century but was not accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church, contributing to the Great Schism in 1054.

    Today, the Nicene Creed remains foundational to Christian faith. For many Christians, the Creed is regularly recited in worship services as a communal affirmation of their faith. Its continued relevance lies in its summary of the essential Christian beliefs about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

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 Son of God,
      begotten from the Father before all ages,
           God from God,
           Light from Light,
           true God from true God,
      begotten, not made;
      of the same essence as the Father.
      Through him all things were made.
      For us and for our salvation
           he came down from heaven;
           he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
           and was made human.
           He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
           he suffered and was buried.
           The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
           He ascended to heaven
           and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
           He will come again with glory
           to judge the living and the dead.
           His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the Lord, the giver of life.
      He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
      and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
      He spoke through the prophets.
      We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
      We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
      We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
      and to life in the world to come. Amen.