Apostles and Nicene Creeds

[Josh]

What follows are some early 'creeds' or statements of belief hammered out by the ancient Church. They serve as a good synopsis of many Christian beliefs that are held by the main branches of the Christian faith (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant).

The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall 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

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.

Questions or comments? Reply here.

[Douglas]

I read that the phrase "and from the son" in reference to the proceeding of the holy spirit was added some time later and was not in the original draft. An interesting conversation to say the least.

Douglas

[Josh]

Yep, what's that part called? The filioque or something like that? Wasn't it a huge part of the Great Schism between Rome and Constantinople? I can't quite remember the significance off the top of my head.

[Douglas]

I think the original was in reference to Jesus statement to the disciples that he would ask the father and He would send the spirit. The other side i think holds that the spirit is an manifestation of the eternal love relationship between father and son. The eternality of the relationship give body so to speak to the spirit. As so the difference that it make in my personal life and faith. None what so ever.

But its fun to talk about.

Douglas