The Nicene Creed

   A creed is a summarized set of beliefs, held by the members of a group.  The Nicene creed is followed by most Christians.  It was formalized at the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and expanded in a second council in Constantinople in 381 A.D.  This expanded creed is what we call the Nicene creed.  However, it was believed by orthodox Christians very early in the church.  This was a confirmation of what was already believed, not a statement of new beliefs.  The "and the Son" phrase from the section on the Holy Spirit is embraced by the Western (Roman) church, and rejected by the Eastern (Byzantine) church.  It was added by the Western Church in a slow process between 589 and 1274.  I discuss this point more, here.  The purpose of this section is to give a quick guide to where the key points of the faith are discussed.  They are not in order.  If you are new to the subject, it is probably better to start with one of the earlier sections.

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:

  by the power of the Holy Spirit

    he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

    and was made man.

  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.

  With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

  He has spoken through the Prophets.

  We believe in one holy catholic 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.