The ecumenical creeds
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is one of the most historic and unifying statements of Christian faith, adopted by the early church in AD 325 at the Council of Nicaea. It affirms foundational doctrines about the nature of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and continues to be recited by Christians worldwide. This creed serves as a cornerstone of our belief in the Triune God.
AdoptedAD 325 · Council of Nicaea
ExpandedAD 381 · Council of Constantinople
ConfessesThe Triune God
History
Affirming the true divinity of Christ
The Nicene Creed was written to affirm the true divinity of Jesus Christ and to address heretical teachings that questioned His nature. Later expanded at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381, it became the definitive statement of Trinitarian theology. The Creed reflects the shared faith of believers across the centuries, uniting the global church in its confession of God's work in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
Why we affirm the Nicene Creed
One faith with the global church
As a church committed to biblical truth, we affirm the Nicene Creed because it faithfully summarizes the teaching of Scripture about the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Creed reminds us of the unity of the global church and the enduring truths that anchor our faith. It shapes our worship and helps us proclaim the gospel message with clarity and confidence.
The full text
The Nicene Creed
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.
God the Father
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
God the Son
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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified for us 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 with glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
God the Holy Spirit
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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
In the creeds, “catholic” means universal: the faith held by the whole Christian church in every time and place.
The creeds we confess
The profound truths of the Nicene Creed
We invite you to reflect on the profound truths of the Nicene Creed and consider how they shape our understanding of God’s nature and His saving work. Return to our What We Believe page to explore more about our faith.