Since the first century Church, the most vital tenets of the Christian faith where captured in concise statements of belief called “creeds.” Some of these creeds are recorded in the letters of the New Testament. The oldest of these can be trace as far back as 35 A.D. It is recorded in I Corinthians 15:3-4 — “. . . Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (New American Standard Updated Edition) Another is recorded in I Timothy 3:16 — “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He [Christ] was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (New American Standard Updated Edition)
After the completion of the New Testament Canon, the Church, for the next 500 years produced numerous creeds which define the essential historic creeds of the orthodox Christian faith as they are revealed in the Scriptures. Many times these creeds were responses to heretical doctrines which tore at the very heart of the Gospel or to specific questions which surfaced in regards to important doctrinal concerns. These creeds have stood the test of time and much biblical scrutiny to be true to the Scriptures. They include confessions such as the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed A.D. 325, the Athanasian Creed A.D. 500, the Creed of Chalcedon A.D. 451, and the Creed of Constantinople 381 A.D.
These creeds are not equal to the Holy Scriptures, but they accurately define what the Scriptures teach in regards to the essential doctrines of the orthodox Christian faith. Because of this, they are vital theological resources which reinforce biblical truth, and they are worthy to be read and studied by all who want to grow deeper in the fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
[The Apostle’s Creed arose out of the early Western church and should be thought of as a summary of the Apostles’ teaching rather than directly attributed or coming from them. It first began to be quoted and referred to in approximately 215 A.D. Originally, it was essentially a baptismal confession and had several variations. The form used today dates from the eighth century A.D.]
I believe in God [2], the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth [3]; and in Jesus Christ His only Son [4] our Lord [5]; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit [6], born of the Virgin Mary [7], suffered under Pontius Pilate [8], was crucified [9], dead [10], and buried [11] … The third day He rose from the dead [12]. He ascended into heaven [13], and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty [14]; from thence He shall come to judge the quick / living and the dead [15].
I believe in the Holy Spirit [16], the holy catholic [17] / universal Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
[The Nicene Creed was first formulated at the First Ecumenical Council, held at Nicea, located in what is now Turkey in 325 A.D. It was a response to the Arian heresy, a false doctrine which denied the deity of Christ.]
I believe in one God the Father almighty [18], maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible [19]: and in one Lord Jesus Christ [20], the only begotten Son of God [21], begotten of the Father before all worlds [22], Light of Light [23], very God of very God [24], begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father [25], by whom all things are made [26]; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven [27], and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary [28], and was made man [29], and was crucified [30] also for us under Pontius Pilate [31], He suffered and was buried [32], and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures [33], and ascended in heaven [34], and sitteth at the right hand of the Father [35]. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick/living and the dead [36]: whose kingdom shall have no end [37]. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord [38], the Giver of Life [39], who proceedeth from the Father [40], and with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified [41]; who spoke by the prophets [42]. And I believe in one holy catholic/universal [43] and apostolic Church [44]. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins [45]. And I look for the resurrection of the dead [46], and the life of the world to come [47]. Amen.
[The Athanasian Creed is attributed to the fourth century bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius. He was the strongest defender of the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. It, the Creed of Athanasia, defines the doctrines of the Trinity and the nature of Christ in precise language.]
1 - 3 — Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic/universal faith, which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic/universal faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity. (Deuteronomy 6:4; John 6:27; Titus 2:13; II Corinthians 3:17)
4 — Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the substance. (John 10:30; John 14:16-17)
5 — For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:13-17)
6 - 7 — But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. (II Corinthians 13:14)
8 — The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. (Psalm 90:2; I John 1:1; Hebrews 9:14)
9 — The Father unlimited, the Son unlimited, and the Holy Spirit unlimited.
10 — The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. (Psalm 90:2; I John 1:1; Hebrews 9:14).
11 — And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal (Deuteronomy 6:4)
12 — As also there are not three uncreated, nor three infinities, but one uncreated, and one infinite. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
13 — So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty.(Genesis 17:1; John 5:19; Luke 1:35)
14 — And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
15 — So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. (John 6:27; Titus 2:13; II Corinthians 3:17)
16 — And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
17 — So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord. (Isaiah 64:8; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 3:17)
18 — And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
19 - 20 — For like as we are compelled by Christian verity/truth, to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord, so we are forbidden by the catholic/universal religion to say there are three Gods, or three Lords. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
21 — The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. (Psalm 90:2)
22 — The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. (John 1:18)
23 — The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. (John 15:26; John 10:30)
24 — So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. (Matthew 28:19)
25 - 26 — And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater; or less than another. But the whole three Persons are co-eternal, and co-equal. (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1)
27 - 28 — So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity; is to be worshiped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity. (II Corinthians 13:14)
29 — Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation, that he also believe faithfully the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 1:1,14)
30 — For the right faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. (John 1:1,14)
31 — God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man, of the substance of his mother, born in the world. (John 10:30: Luke 1:26-35)
32 — Perfect God, and perfect man, of a rational soul and human flesh subsisting. (John 10:30; I Peter 2:21-22)
33 — Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood. (John 14:9; John 14:28)
34 — Who although He is God and man; yet He is not two, but one Christ. (Ephesians 4:4-5)
35 — One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by assumption of the manhood into God. (John 1:1,14)
36 — One altogether; not by confusion of substance, but unity of Person. (Ephesians 4:4-5)
37 — For as the rational soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ. (Ephesians 4:4-5)
38 — Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. (I Corinthians 15:1-4)
39 — He ascended into heaven, He sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. (Acts 1:9; 7:55-56)
40 — From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. (II Timothy 4:1)
41 - 42 — At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give account for their own works. (John 5:25-29)
43 — And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. (John 5:25-29)
44 — This is the catholic/universal faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
[The creed of Chalcedon was adopted at the Fourth Ecumenical Council, held at Chalcedon, located in what is now Turkey in 451 A.D. It was a response to heretical or false views concerning the nature of Christ. It established the orthodox view that Christ has two natures, both human and divine, that are unified in one person.]
We, then, following the Holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man [48], of a reasonable [rational] soul and body [49]; consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead [50], and consubstantial [co-essential] with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin [51]; begotten before all the ages of the Father according to the Godhead [52], and in these latter days, for us and our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary...according to the Manhood [53]; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten [54], to be acknowledged in two natures, in-confusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably [55]; the distinction of natures by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten [56], God the Word [57], the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him [58], and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us [59], and the Creed of the Holy Fathers has handed down to us.
[The Creed of Constantinople was a revision of the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. as a response to the Macedonian heresy which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. It is because of this, much of it reads as the Creed of Nicea with an additional paragraph concerning the person of the Holy Spirit.]
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
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 our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit [60], the Lord [61], the giver of life [62], who proceeds from the Father [63]. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified [64]. He has spoken through the Prophets [65]. We believe in one holy catholic/universal and apostolic Church [66]. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins [67]. We look for the resurrection of the dead [68], and the life of the world to come [69]. Amen.
[2] Isaiah 44:6 . . . [3] Genesis 1:1 . . . [4] John 3:16 . . . [5] John 20:28 . . . [6] Luke 1:35 . . . [7] Luke 1:27 . . . [8] Luke 23:24 . . . [9] John 19:20 . . . [10] I Corinthians 15:3 . . . [11] I Corinthians 15:4 . . . [12] I Corinthians 15:4 . . . [13] Luke 24:51 . . . [14] Acts 7:55-56 . . . [15] II Timothy 4:1 . . . [16] John 16:13-14 . . . [17] The word “catholic” in this section with the lower case “c” is not in reference to the Roman Catholic Church, but the universal Church as a whole. The word “catholic” is derived from the Latin word catholicus, from the Greek word katholikos, meaning universal or the whole. It was the term used to describe what was then the only Christian church before it split into an Eastern and Western Church. After the Reformation, the Protestants use of the lower case “c” in the word “catholic” was used by them to describe the one universal church of Jesus Christ. (footnotes continue below)
[18] John 2:27 . . . [19] Genesis 1:1 . . . [20] Acts 11:17 . . . [21] John 3:16 . . . [22] John 1:18 . . . [23] John 1:7-9 . . . [24] John 17:1-5 . . . [25] John 10:30 . . . [26] Hebrews 1:1-2 . . . [27] I Timothy 2:4-5 . . . [28] Luke 1:26-35 . . . [29] John 1:14 . . . [30] I Corinthians 15:3 . . . [31] Luke 23:24-25 . . . [32] I Corinthians 15:3-4 . . . [33] I Corinthians 15:4 . . . [34] Acts 1:9 . . . [35] Acts 7:55-56 . . . [36] II Timothy 4:1 . . . [37] II Peter 1:11 . . . [38] II Corinthians 3:17 . . . [39] Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4 . . . [40] John 15:26 . . . [41] Matthew 3:16-17; II Corinthians 13:14 . . . [42] II Peter 1:20-21 . . . [43] Matthew 16:18 . . . [44] Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-20 . . . [45] Ephesians 4:5 . . . [46] I Corinthians 15:12-49 . . . [47] II Peter 3:13 (footnotes continue below)
[48] John 1:1, 14 . . . [49] Luke 2:52 . . . [50] John 10:30 . . . [51] Hebrews 4:15 . . . [52] John 17:5 . . . [53] Luke 1:26-38 . . . [54] John 3:16 . . . [55] John 1:1, 14 . . . [56] John 3:16 . . . [57] John 1:1, 14 . . . [58] Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 . . . [59] John 10:30 (footnotes continue below)
[60] John 16:13 . . . [61] II Corinthians 3:17 . . . [62] Job 33:4 . . . [63] John 15:26 . . . [64] II Corinthians 3:17. . . [65] II Peter 1:20-21 . . . [66] Matthew 16:18 . . . [67] Ephesians 4:4-5 . . . [68] I Thessalonians 4:13-18 . . . [69] II Peter 3:13