The Nicene Creed is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church that was developed in opposition to heresies that had crept into the church, especially Arianism. These heresies concerned the doctrine of the trinity and the person of Christ. Although similar to the Apostles’ Creed, it is more definite and explicit in its statements on the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. This creed, “settled the question of how Christians can worship one God and also claim that this God is three persons”. It was adopted at the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) and a revised addition was adopted at the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381). At the Council of Chalcedon in 451 it was accepted in its present form. The Nicene Creed is one the ecumenical creeds along with the Apostles’ Creed and the Chalcedonian Creed.
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We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker 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 the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men 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 on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And [we believe] in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and [we] look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Mitch Bedzyk serves as a pastor Emmanuel Community Church, overseeing music and Sunday Classes. He received his Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and works in IT for the NY Office of Mental Health. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Kya, Khalli, Oliver, Amelia, and Micah. In his spare time he enjoys reading, coffee, guitar, being an MLS fanatic and playing fantasy soccer.
