The Nicene Creed #

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 1st UNIVERSIAL COUNCIL OF NICEA #

The “Confession of Faith,” still known as the fundamental source and highest pronouncement of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox faith of the Church is the Nicene Creed. It was formulated by the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a City in Asia Minor (now present day Turkey,) in 325 A.D. By the Second Ecumenical Council which was held in Constantinople in 381 A.D. this Symbol not only is named after the City in which it was written, but also is known by the number of Bishops present at the Council in Nicaea, being referred to as the “Symbol of Faith of the 318 Fathers”.

The Council or Synod in Nicaea convened to resolve the dispute caused by Arius, a . Priest, who denied the Divinity of Jesus as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Arius said that there was a time when He, Jesus, did not exist. The 318 Fathers formulated the correct “Orthodox” teaching in the first Seven Articles of the Nicene Creed. Despite the correct pronouncement of this Council, Arianism continued and became a splintered Christian sect, with the Bishops who failed to accept the correct teaching of Christ’s nature being excommunicated. In 381 A.D. another Ecumenical Council had to be convened to stop the incorrect teaching of Macedonius, who used Arian reasoning to question the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, claiming He was created by the Son. The Bishops at the Council in Constantinople formulated the correct teaching concerning the Holy Spirit, that He was not created, but proceeds only from the Father and is sent by the Son. This formulated truth became the last part of the Nicene Creed (last five articles). Hence the phrase, “One God in three Hypostases (persons)”, prevails. This Confession, the Nicene Creed, has become the main source of the teachings of the Christian Church since the First and Second Universal Councils.

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Creator 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 His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, True God of True 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 sits at the Right Hand of the Father: And He shall come again, with Glory to Judge both the living and the dead; His Kingdom shall have no end.

I BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit; The Lord, and Giver of Life; Who proceeds from the Father. Who with the Father and the Son together is Worshipped and glorified; Who spoke through the Prophets.

I BELIEVE in 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.