Activity

The Creeds
A creed is a statement of belief (Latin: credo, I believe). The Apostles
Creed and Nicene Creed are commonly used by Christians as they serve
as statements of orthodoxy which summarise the foundations of
Christian faith. They are:

Stories of creation and salvation

Hymns of praise and thanks
Signs of witness of faith
Statements of shared belief
Symbols that acknowledge the continuity of the Church through
each believers baptismal promise

These creeds are the results of controversy and were written to ensure
doctrinal consistency. In other words, these creeds are useful to the
Church in helping to regulate its theological thinking and keep the church
from straying into heresy. In the Catholic tradition, the creeds are recited
by the whole congregation at Mass. At this time, people stand to indicate
respect and emphasise the importance of the creed.
1. The Nicene Creed
This creed was written in the 4th century CE to define what Christians
must believe, in particular with reference to affirming the Divinity of
Jesus Christ. At the time it was written, there was a group, the Arians, who
denied Jesus was fully God (divine).
OPTIONAL: View - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSKBGdv07nQ
(Background and myths surrounding the Council of Nicaea 10 min)

2. The Apostles Creed

This creed (written c.200 CE) was not written by the apostles but is a
summary of their most important teachings. It is shorter than the Nicene
Creed and was formulated to help people (who were mostly illiterate)
memorise the basic beliefs of Christianity. Furthermore, it was a guide for
the new generation of disciples who believed in the true humanity
(material body) of Jesus Christ.

**Note that the statement I believe in God is much stronger than I

believe that God exists. The in indicates faith and trust. The Amen at
the end is a further statement of self-commitment.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0YNeTwWU1RE&list=PLTe7wTrfN3rTSSmr4OTbRjN3-ibzET2BT (3 min)

Read the creeds carefully.

TASK 1: highlight statements in each that are the same/very
similar (see example)
TASK 2: Identify and list the key beliefs about the Trinity God
the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (see example in
the table on the next page).
Apostles Creed

Nicene Creed

I believe in God, the Father

almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

and in Jesus Christ,

his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was
buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again
from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to
judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became
man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

I 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 adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism

Apostles Creed

Nicene Creed
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Key beliefs

Apostles

Nicene

of

God the
Father

Creator
Almighty (one and
only)

God the
Son
God the
Holy Spirit

ty. It has be borne from religious experience and the Churchs refection over time (
t the creeds as authoritative texts and are essential to living a Christian life. The B
Extension:
Revisit the five (5) characteristics of the creeds on the first page.
In your own words, explain which parts of the creed could be used as evidence to
explain each of those points. For example, the stories of creation and salvation
are evidenced in the Apostles Creed by:
-

creator of heaven and earth (creation)

forgiveness of sins and life everlasting (salvation)

Recap: play https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=x7AQeYL9c74 (Hillsong This I believe lyric video
7 min).
How is this related to the purpose and/or elements of
Creeds?