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 of 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
theFilioque) in the article on the procession of the Holy
Spirit, which phrase 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.
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 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 sitteth 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 I
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who
proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the
Son together is worshipped 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.
