The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed: History, Meaning, and Full Text Explained

Quick Answer

The Nicene Creed is a foundational statement of orthodox Christian faith, formulated in the fourth century to oppose heresies like Arianism that challenged the doctrines of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Redding Reformed Fellowship explains that this Creed affirms belief in one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, along with one holy catholic and apostolic Church, one baptism, and the resurrection of the dead. Though its present form does not directly date to the Councils of Nicea (325 A.D.) or Constantinople (381 A.D.), it accurately formulates the Nicene faith. A key distinction is the Western Church's inclusion of the "filioque" clause ("and the Son") regarding the Holy Spirit's procession, which the Eastern Church repudiates.

What is the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed, also called the Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian Church, in opposition to certain heresies, especially Arianism.

These heresies disturbed the Church during the fourth century and concerned the doctrine of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Both the Greek, or Eastern, and the Latin, or Western, Church held this Creed in honor, though with one important difference. The Western Church insisted on the inclusion of the phrase “and the Son” (known as the filioque) in the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit, a phrase that to this day is repudiated by the Eastern Church.

Though in its present form this Creed does not go back to the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), nor to the Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.), as was erroneously held until recent times, it is in substance an accurate and majestic formulation of the Nicene faith.

The Nicene Creed

I 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 before all worlds; God of God, 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 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 sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed is a foundational statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian Church. It was formulated in opposition to certain heresies, particularly Arianism, which challenged the doctrines of the Trinity and the person of Christ in the fourth century.

2 What theological issues did the Nicene Creed address?

The Creed primarily addressed heresies that disturbed the Church during the fourth century, especially Arianism. These heresies concerned fundamental doctrines such as the nature of the Trinity and the divine person of Jesus Christ, affirming His full divinity.

3 What are the main beliefs affirmed in the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed affirms belief in one God as Father, Son (Jesus Christ, fully God, incarnate, crucified, risen, ascended, and returning), and Holy Spirit. It also declares belief in one holy catholic and apostolic Church, one baptism for the remission of sins, and the resurrection of the dead.

4 What is the "filioque" clause mentioned in relation to the Nicene Creed?

The "filioque" (Latin for "and the Son") is a phrase added by the Western Church to the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit. This inclusion is a significant difference, as it is repudiated by the Eastern Church to this day, highlighting a historical theological divergence.