The Apostles Creed and The Nicene Creed are two of the most significant and widely used ancient statements of Christian beliefs that have played significant roles in shaping the foundations of the Christian faith.
The Apostles Creed is a brief summary of Christian beliefs that dates back to the early days of the Church, and it is attributed to the apostles themselves.
It contains the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, including the belief in the Holy Trinity, the virgin birth, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal life.
The Nicene Creed is a more detailed statement of faith that was formulated by church leaders in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea.
It expands on the beliefs expressed in the Apostles Creed and addresses controversies that had arisen in the early Church, such as the nature of Christ and his relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Both creeds serve as affirmations of faith, uniting Christians across denominations and centuries in their shared understanding of essential Christian doctrines.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell; on the third day, he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
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.
What is the Apostles Creed and what Does it Mean?
The Apostles Creed according to Saint Ambrose is our spiritual seal, our heart’s meditation and an ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul.
The Apostles’ Creed is a faithful summary of the Apostles’ faith. It is the symbol of the Church of Rome used during ancient baptismal rites.
The Creed brought the common faith among the first of the Apostles in the Roman Church which was St Peter’s Holy See.
Traditional Twelve Articles of the Creed
There are twelve articles that are presented, through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, from the contents of the Apostles Creed.
- I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
- I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
- He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
- Under Pontius Pilate, He was crucified, died, and was buried.
- He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again.
- He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
- He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- I believe in the Holy Spirit,
- The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints,
- The forgiveness of sins,
- The resurrection of the body,
- and the life everlasting.
Apostles Creed During the Rite of Baptism
During the third and fourth centuries in Rome, those who sought baptism were asked some questions. these questions were similar to what we have in the present-day creed. Therefore, the present-day Apostles’ Creed developed from those questions.
Presently, the Catholic Church uses the interrogative form of the creed to administer the Rite of Baptism.
The Minister of Baptism Asks:
- Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
- Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
- Then to each question, the person being Baptised responds “I Do”. For infant baptism, the parents and sponsor(s) (godparent(s)), will answer “I do” on behalf of the infant.
The Celebrant Will Then Say:
This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All those present will respond: Amen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Apostles Creed and The Nicene Creed stand as timeless expressions of Christian beliefs, providing a simple yet profound framework for understanding and professing the core tenets of the faith.
These creeds have endured through centuries, serving as unifying statements that bridge differences among Christians and emphasize the shared foundations of their faith.
Despite the complexities of theological debates and historical contexts surrounding their origins, both creeds continue to serve as sources of inspiration and affirmation for believers worldwide, fostering a sense of unity and continuity in the diverse tapestry of Christian traditions.
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