I Believe

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

Starting this Sunday, July 10, 2022, we will be reciting the Nicene Creed during our worship service. Creed comes from the Latin word credo, meaning I believe. The Nicene Creed is one of the most famous creeds in church history. It resulted from two ecumenical councils- one in Nicaea in AD 325 and the other in Constantinople in AD 381- dealing with the Arian heresy, which claimed that Jesus was not God. The creed follows a similar format as the Apostles' Creed, mentioning all three members of the Trinity - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Creeds, such as the Nicene Creed and Apostles' Creed, help us build the fundamental theological framework required to understand Scripture and correct error. Al Mohler said creeds "naturally usher our souls into heartfelt worship and praise of God. The creeds, therefore, guide the church in worship and contain the most precious truths through which we can worship God and rightly praise his name."

Let us consider each phrase's significance and theological truth as we recite the creed and glorify God in worship.

The Nicene Creed

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

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.