NICENE CREED
This year (2025) is the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Since it is recited at Mass, Catholics are very familiar with it. Likewise, many Protestants also recite this creed during their church services. While the tenets proclaimed in the creed are widely accepted today, this was not the case in 325 AD. There were conflicting beliefs when it came to defining the Trinity and the matter had to be solved. A priest named Arius and his followers held that Jesus was a created being and therefore had a beginning. This heresy was gaining followers and threatened to divide the Church. It cuts to the core of Christian belief and the Church was determined to establish true doctrine. Anyone not conforming their beliefs to what the Church taught would mean excommunication. Nicea settled the matter. While today, we take the creed for granted we owe a debt of gratitude to those bishops that met in the 4th century. Courageous Bishops that previously suffered persecution for following Christ. Emperor Constantine had ended the persecutions and assisted the Church to meet at the council in Nicea.
This Holy Spirit working through the council kept the Church on the right path. The path wasn't an easy one and following the council there remained discontent among the followers of Arius who were still determined to spread their errors. But in the end the Church prevailed in truth as promised by Our Lord. I wish to point out something that everyone seems to be missing today. The Nicene Creed was established by Catholic bishops however, some Protestants will refer to them as “Christians” as if to say not all were Catholic Christians. This is disingenuous. It is very important to remember that the Church council preceded the canon of the Bible. You read that correctly; the Church had not yet established which writings are considered scripture. In other words it was Catholic Tradition that gave us the Nicene Creed and 70 years later the canon of the Bible - see the Council of Carthage. These Church councils were composed of Bishops. Bishops similar to today in that they celebrate Mass with the understanding that the Mass is a sacrifice. No debating this - look at Nicea canon #11.(Canon #11 uses the word “oblation” in relation to what we call the Mass.) No doubt that the Protestant mentality of today didn't exist at the time of Nicea.
Cardinal John Henry Newman had succinctly phrased it this way: “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.” So celebrate the 1700 year anniversary of the Nicene Creed with deep appreciation for the early Church fathers while acknowledging they were Catholic. Also realize we still must learn today from the Church that Christ has commissioned to teach truth. Like the early Church all Christians should be Mass going Catholics.
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.
