What is the Nicene Creed?

I am made no secret here on the blog about my Catholic faith and I almost always get questions from readers when I post. I do answer those questions as honestly and openly as I can. I also like to share things about my faith with y’all from time to time. Things that you may not know. That is why I thought I would tell you a little about the Nicene Creed today.

Now I am certain some of you are going what in the world is the Nicene Creed? You may have heard of it before or it could be new to you.

Nicene Creed, also called Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, a Christian statement of faith that is the only ecumenical creed because it is accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches. 

–Britannica

This is actually one of those things that have tradition in the church but it’s origins are murky. Until the 20th century it was believed that the Nicene Creed was an enlarged version of the Creed of Nicaea. That one was created at the Council of Nicaea which was when essentially the books of the bible and other parts of the Christian faith was decided. There is more to it than that but that is the nitty gritty of the council.

In the 20th century documents were discovered that suggested differently. In fact the creation of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed has been the subject of plenty scholarly disputes. It is most likely that the actual creed was issued by the Council of Constantinople and based on a baptismal creed already in existence. That would make it an independent document. Not an enlargement of the Creed of Nicaea.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day 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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Now, many churches use the Apostles’ Creed in their services. It is basically the same thing with some words changed here and there. For me I find it beautiful and it was one of the first things I learned to recite in church. Every Sunday it is recited by the congregation and while the words are in our missal (the book that leads us through each service) I never have to look at them. There is just something about the way it makes me feel as I recite this creed with family and friends each week. I can’t explain it and I will say it most likely goes back to my father.

I can remember when I was little and didn’t know the words yet but I was stand next to him. I could feel the vibrations of his deep voice as he held my little hand in his and it always made me safe and protected as he recited the creed. I think that memory is one I get every time I recite it now. It’s a good feeling in this crazy word and helps me overcome whatever the prior week brought.