The Nicene Creed
Quick answer: The nicene creed is a historic statement of faith formulated in the fourth century. It clarifies early Christian consensus on the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, bridging Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions today.
What it says
This document was written to settle intense fourth-century debates regarding the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Church leaders gathered to affirm that the Son is fully divine and of the same substance as the Father, preserving a unified understanding of God. The text affirms belief in one God, details the life and work of Christ, and emphasizes the full deity of the Spirit. It also affirms one universal church, baptism for forgiveness, and the expectation of future eternal life.
The precise wording responded directly to teachings that threatened to diminish the divine standing of Christ and the Spirit. Broad phrases were replaced with exact terms to ensure clarity across distant regions and prevent misunderstanding. Modern readers should approach the text as an important milestone in theological history. It reflects an earnest effort to maintain harmony across diverse Christian communities. Examining its clauses offers valuable insight into how early believers sought unity in their core understanding of God.
Where it comes from
The statement originated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 under Roman Emperor Constantine to resolve sharp divisions within the church. It was later expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 to affirm the deity of the Holy Spirit. Today, it is revered and recited across Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and most Protestant traditions, serving as a rare universal bridge of shared theology.
Drawn up by the council of Nicaea in 325 to settle whether the Son was truly God, and expanded at Constantinople in 381 to say the same about the Holy Spirit. It is the one creed shared by the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican and most Protestant churches, and it is still recited in Sunday worship.
Four things to notice
- The text was crafted at two major ecumenical councils in 325 and 381 to address ongoing theological disputes.
- It specifically affirms that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit share the exact same divine nature as God the Father.
- The document remains one of the few historical statements accepted by Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches alike.
- Precise language was carefully chosen by early church leaders to prevent misinterpretation of key doctrines across congregations.
The text
The traditional English text (Book of Common Prayer, 1662), in full.
I 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 his 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, and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost 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 sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Public domain. Read the full document at the source edition.
Scriptures behind it
Verses the creed's wording is built on — printed verbatim from the public-domain King James Version and World English Bible. These are the passages the wording rests on, not the document's own proof-text list.
- John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
- John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
- Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
- Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
- Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Revelation 22:13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
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More more creeds
c. 500–600 · Read the historic athanasian creed in full, explore its careful wording on the Trinity and two natures of Christ, and browse related scripture.
451 · Read the chalcedonian definition in full, explore its historical context regarding Christ's nature, and browse related public domain scripture.
1646 · Read the historic text of the westminster confession of faith from 1646, presented in full public domain English without ads or account walls.