What we believe: Nicene Creed

In the year 325 Emperor Constantine the Great convened the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea to settle the controversy precipitated by the teaching of Arius. Arius denied the true divinity of Christ. To answer this controversy 318 bishops and assistants gathered to study the Bible and discuss the implications of this false teaching.

When they left Nicaea the bishops had indeed clearly stated the position of the church. Jesus is true God, not the first and foremost of the created beings. He also is true man, born of the virgin Mary.

In 381, because the Arian heresy was still raging, Emperor Theodosius convened the Second Ecumenical Council. Here 150 bishops assembled and reaffirmed the confession of faith made at the Council of Nicaea. They also spoke against the false teachings of Macedonius who claimed the Holy Spirit is not God.

The Nicene 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 Ghost 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 quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in 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.