The Nicene Creed is a statement of Christian belief that is oftentimes used in liturgy. It was first written and adopted by the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, and then amended in AD 381 by the First Council of Constantinople. The amended version is sometimes referred to as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.
The purpose of the Nicene Creed was to address the Arian controversy. Arianism denied that Jesus was not divine, or at least not divine in the same sense that God the Father is divine.
The Nicene, or Niceno-Constantinopolitan, Creed (AD 381)
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.
* that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
The Nicene Creed (AD 325)
We believe in one God, the father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father, Light of light, Very God of very 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 and was made man; He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven, from there He shall come to judge both the quick and the dead; and in the Holy Spirit.
Read More
- Apostle’s Creed – An early statement of Christian belief that is Trinitarian in structure
- Chalcedonian Definition – States that Christ has two natures
- Athanasian Creed – Defines the Trinity in a manner that addresses the heresy of Arianism
- Know the Creeds and Councils – Justin Holcomb – A book that teaches about the historic creeds and councils
