The Nicene Creed

In the year 325 CE, bishops from all over the Christian world gathered for what would become the most infamous ecumenical council of all time. The meeting was in the city of Nicaea; the topic was the deity of Jesus. For an entire month, educated leaders waged war with one another over words, analogies, scripture, and the validity of certain theological concepts. The fuel that powered the council’s intensity was the fate of Christianity itself.  

The Problem

Before this meeting was called, Christianity had begun splintering over the concept of the Trinity. Although most Christians living at that time viewed the relationship between the Father and son through a Trinitarian lens. The lack of an official structure allowed ideas like Arianism to gain unprecedented popularity. In response, the church leaders came together to end the debate once and for all.

Once the dust settled, the bishops compiled the fruits of their labor into the Nicene creed, which became the orthodox position for all churches worldwide.        

The Nicene Creed

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.