How the Nicene Creed Defined the Trinity and Unites All Christians

“... baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit ...” Matthew 28:19

The early centuries of the Christian church were filled with difficulties, as the church sought to define its practices, stay faithful to its mission, and endure persecution in an often-hostile culture. When Constantine ended the persecution of Christianity, it gave the church the opportunity to consider and deliberate difficult theological issues, including the nature of the Trinity. By the start of the fifth century, the church had determined that all members of the Trinity were equal in nature and essence. This theological position was articulated in what has come to be known as the Nicene Creed.

Its first paragraph is about the Father and is very similar to the Apostles’ Creed. It says:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

The second section is about Jesus Christ and identifies him as God, not merely someone who is like God. This section is similar to the Apostle’s Creed but adds wording to make it clear that the Son is of the same substance as the Father. It says:

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 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 in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

The final paragraph makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is also of the same essence and nature as God and is worthy of all praise. It also contains a very important phrase that describes the church as “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” These marks of the church are declarations about its true nature, even when the reality seems absent. It says:

We 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 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.

This creed identifies basic and essential Christian beliefs. These are things that all Christians believe, irrespective of denomination. By these we identify ourselves and declare the truth to the world. We are grateful for those who have gone before us and have worked to bring clarity to the gospel. The better we understand the gospel, the better we can proclaim it to others.