On another page, we discuss the ancient and simple statement of faith known as the Apostles' Creed (What is a Creed?). The formulation of the Nicene Creed followed an entirely different historical path and was written in response to doctrinal conterversies within the Church rather than just as a confession of the Gospel. However, this does not minimize the importance and value of this Creed. But rather its majesty and beauty makes it dear to all Christians. The following is a brief history of how the Nicene Creed came to be and a short explanation of why it was written. If you would like to just read the Creed itself, please click here.

History of the Creed

In the early part of the fourth century, Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, came to power and gave the Church much favor and support. At that time and for some time before, the Church had been deeply concerned about the correct understanding of the Trinity. In particular, they wrestled with the notion that since Scripture speaks of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and treats each of these as divine (True God), did that in some way contradict the oneness of God also described in Scripture. Rather than just accepting the Word of God concerning the triune nature of God, some church leaders attempted to come up with logical explanations of the unexplainable. This invariably lead to explanations and doctrinal statements in direct contradiction with Scripture. The more pervasive rationalized explanations that were developed centered around the Divinity of Jesus and in one form or another cast doubt on his status as True God co-equal with the Father. Constantine, knowing that there was some division on some fine point of doctrine, desired a united Church. As a result, the First Ecumenical Council of the Church took place at Nicea in 325 to discuss the topic. At this council over three-hundred bishops participated.

At the Council, an eloquent and able advocate of the truth of Scripture by the name of Athanasius, recognized that far more was at stake than merely some theoretical views concerning the nature of God. Athanasius argued that our entire assurance of salvation is jeopardized if it rests in the hands of a Redeemer who is not true God. Insisting that Scripture shows the Son to be of the same nature as the Father, he exposed the fallacies of others on this topic with such skill that the Council expressed itself in a confession that sets forth the full divine majesty and glory of the Son, and does this in close connection with a singularly moving description of His redemptive work. By the grace of God, and in spite of the conflicting aims of men, it was a decision for the true teachings of God’s Word, and against the rationalizing ideas of men. And as such we value it highly. However, the resulting Creed is not identical to the Creed we have today.

Following the council at Nicea, the Creed began to be used in churches throughout the world. Some used it verbatim while others retained their own creeds and just incorporated some phrases from the original Nicene Creed. The original Nicene Creed focused on the divinity of Jesus and had very little to say about the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Some church leaders therefore amplified the statements concerning the Holy Spirit. Over the course of history and several other councils including the Councils at Constantinople in 381 and Ephesus in 431, the original Nicene Creed was reaffirmed and statements further affirming the divinity of the Holy Spirit and the redemptive work of Jesus were accepted and officially made part of the Creed. The Nicene Creed has remained all but unchanged since then.

In the Lutheran church, we will usually use the Nicene Creed to confess our faith on Sundays where we celebrate communion. All other Sundays we will generally use the Apostles' Creed. While this has been the tradition of the Lutheran church for 500 years, it is important to note that it doesn't have to be done this way and there is nothing wrong with using any of the three Ecumenical Creeds or any Scripturally sound statements of faith on any Sunday for worship.

Below you will find the text of the Nicene Creed, which has been a confession of the truths of Scripture for over 1600 years.

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
   maker of heaven and earth,
   of all that is,
   seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
   eternally begotten of the Father,
   God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
   begotten, not made,
   of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,
   was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
   and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
   and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
   and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
   the Lord, the giver of life,
   who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
   who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
   who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian 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.