The Nicene Creed

I would now like to share with you the Nicene Creed. This is the statement of faith that all Orthodox Christians recite in every service. It is called “Nicene” because it was first written at the Council of Nicaea in the year 325, when bishops from across the Church gathered to confirm what the Bible teaches about Christ and the Trinity. Every part of the Creed comes from the Holy Scriptures.

Here is the Creed, with simple explanations and Bible verses.

“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.” This comes from the very first verse of the Bible: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God is the one true Creator of everything, seen and unseen.

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages.” The Bible says Jesus is “the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14). He was not created but begotten, meaning He is eternally from the Father.

“Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made.” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Saint Paul also says of Him: “For in Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth” (Colossians 1:16).

“Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.” This reflects the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you ... therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

“He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.” This is exactly as written in the Gospels: “They took Jesus, and he went out ... there they crucified him” (John 19:16–18).

“And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.” Saint Paul teaches: “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

“And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.” The book of Acts says: “As they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

“And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end.” The Bible says: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1), and of His Kingdom, “there will be no end” (Luke 1:33).

“And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.” Jesus said, “The Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me” (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit is also called “the Spirit of life” (Romans 8:2).

“In one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.” This means the one true Church, set apart for God, found everywhere, and built upon the Apostles. The Bible calls the Church “the household of God ... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:19–20).

“I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.” Peter preached: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38).

“I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.” Jesus said: “The hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out” (John 5:28–29). The book of Revelation promises “a new heaven and a new earth” where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:1–3).

This Creed is the heart of our faith. Every time we say it, we are confessing together the same faith that Christians have held since the days of the Apostles.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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