The Nicene Creed

Background to Apostles’ Creed Our text dates back to 700’s Christian Legend Old Roman Symbol of 150’s

Confession made before baptism Personal confession “I believe”

Called Apostles’ Creed, because it sums up what the apostles taught

Old Roman Symbol I believe in God the Father almighty; and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord, Who was born from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried,

on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, From where He will come to judge the living and the dead;

and in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh

Background to Nicene Creed In 312 AD, the Roman Emperor

Constantine, made Christianity the official religion of the Romans empire.

His motto was, "One God, one Lord, one faith, one church, one empire, one emperor".

His thinking was that if everyone were the same religion it would help keep peace and order in the Empire. A Creed (statement of belief) was drawn up to settle divisions in the Church.

Background to Nicene Creed Arius of Alexandria/Lybia said that

there was a time when Christ did not exist.

Alexander of Alexandria Egypt responded by condemning Arius’ views as contrary to Scripture. Athanasius agreed with Alexander. Alexander and Athanasius are right!

Background to Nicene Creed Emperor Constantine called an “ecumenical

Council” (a meeting of all the Christian bishops) to meet in Nicea (northern Turkey) in May of 325.

Over 250 bishops attended. Nearly all agreed with Scripture and Alexander of Egypt.

The Nicene Creed was written to be a correct answer to the question, “Who is Jesus?”

Joint Confession “We believe”

Background to Nicene Creed The Romans believed in many Gods All had strengths and weaknesses All did different work They would fight with each other The god in charge couldn’t always

make the other gods obey him The ruled things on earth and in the “underworld”

Background to Athanasian Creed

Page 132 in hymnals Athanasius supposedly the author Unknown writer Written to defend the Bible’s teaching

that God is three in one. Jesus has two natures in one person.

Usually used on Trinity Sunday, late May, early June

Break and Quiz Time

The First Article We believe in one God, the Father, the

Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. 

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why say “one” God?

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why say “one” God?

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

There is only one true God

The First Article We believe in

one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why call God the Father?

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why call God the Father?

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

He loves us and we are his children

The First Article We believe in

one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why call God the Almighty?

Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.”

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why call God the Almighty?

Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.”

He can do anything

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why maker of all things both what is seen and what is unseen?

Exodus 20:11 “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.”

The First Article We believe in one

God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

Why maker of all things both what is seen and what is unseen?

Exodus 20:11 “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.”

He created and rules all things, both this world and the next.

The Second Article 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.

The Second Article Why call Jesus “Lord”? 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell

you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.“

The Second Article Why call Jesus “Lord”? 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that

no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”

He is the only Lord. The Romans called their Emperor “Lord” and some demanded to be worshipped as a god.

The Second Article Why “only Son of God”? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

What does “eternally begotten” mean?

The Second Article Why “only Son of God”? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world

that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

He is God’s one and only Son What does “eternally begotten” mean? We do not know *God from (out of) God

The Second Article Why would we say “not made”? The false teaching said that Jesus

was the first created thing. This would mean that Jesus was not equal with God the Father.

The Second ArticleWhat does “Of one being”

mean? Philippians 2:6 “Who, being

in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…”

The Second Article What does “Of one being” mean? Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in very

nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…”

One being means they are both God – the same yet different.

The Second Article 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 fully human.

The Second Article How were all things made though

him? John 1:1–3 1 In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Second Article How were all things made though him? John 1:1–3 1 In the beginning was the

Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Jesus also took part in creation

The Second Article Why did Jesus come down from

heaven? To save us What does “incarnate” mean? The taking on of human nature by

the Son of God. In this way God became a man. It refers to the conception and birth of Jesus.

The Second Article What does it mean that Jesus was “fully human”? Hebrews 2:14,15,17 14 Since the children have flesh

and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

The Second Article What does it mean that Jesus was “fully human”? Hebrews 2:14,15,17 14 Since the children have flesh and

blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Human in every possible way, just like us yet without sin

The Second Article 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 Second Article What do these words sound like?

(Something you already memorized this year.)

The Apostle’s Creed

The Third Article We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver

of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. who in unity with the Father and the Son he

is worshiped and glorified. who has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian 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. 

The Third ArticleHow does the Holy

Spirit “proceed” from the Father and the Son?

We don’t know

The Third Article Why is he worshipped in “unity” with

the Father and Son? Acts 5:3-4 “Then Peter said, “Ananias,

how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ….What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

The Third Article Why is he worshipped in “unity” with

the Father and Son? Acts 5:3-4 “Then Peter said, “Ananias,

how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ….What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

The Holy Spirit is also God

The Third Article How did the Holy Spirit speak through

the prophets? 2 Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never had its

origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

The Third Article How did the Holy Spirit speak through

the prophets? 2 Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never had its

origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

He told them what to write in the Bible

The Third Article Why is the church called “Apostolic” Ephesians 2:19–20 19 Consequently,

you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

The Third Article Why is the church called “Apostolic” Ephesians 2:19–20 19 Consequently, you

are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

It is based on the teaching Jesus gave the Apostles

Homework Look at the end of the last page of

your notes!

For Next Week Memorize:

Nicene Creed 2 Peter 1:21 John 3:16

Read: The Common Service; the Service of Word and Sacrament; The Service of the Word in our hymnal.

You may borrow one and bring it back next week.