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Introduction
The
Nicene Creed, also called the Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a
statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian Church, in
opposition to
certain heresies, especially Arianism. These heresies disturbed the
Church during
the fourth century, and concerned the doctrine of the Trinity and of the
person of
Christ. Both the Greek, or Eastern, and the Latin, or Western, Church
held this
Creed in honor, though with one important difference. The Western Church
insisted on the inclusion of the phrase and the Son (known as the
Filioque) in
the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit, which phrase to this
day is
repudiated by the Eastern Church. Though in its present form this Creed
does not
go back to the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), nor to the Council of
Constantinople
(381 A.D.), as was erroneously held until recent times, it is in
substance an
accurate and majestic formulation of the Nicene faith.
The
Creed
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 the
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 Spirit 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 the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, 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.
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