Nicene Creed Vs Apostles Creed: Whats The Difference?

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The Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed are two of the most widely recognized and recited creeds in the Christian faith. While both creeds profess the core beliefs of Christianity, there are significant differences between them. Understanding these differences can help deepen one's faith and provide insight into the rich history of Christianity.

Why Do We Need Creeds?

Creeds, or statements of faith, have been an integral part of Christian tradition since the early days of the Church. They serve as a concise summary of the essential teachings of Christianity, providing a shared understanding of the faith among believers. Creeds help to establish a common language and framework for theological discussions, ensuring that the Church remains united in its core beliefs.

What is the Apostles' Creed?

The Apostles' Creed is one of the oldest and most widely used creeds in the Christian faith. Its origins date back to the early Christian Church, with some scholars attributing its composition to the Apostles themselves. However, the current version of the Apostles' Creed likely evolved over time, with its final form emerging in the 8th century.

The Apostles' Creed is a brief statement of faith that affirms the basics of Christianity, including:

• The existence of one God
• The divinity of Jesus Christ
• The Holy Spirit
• The Church
• The forgiveness of sins
• The resurrection of the dead
• Eternal life

Here is the full text of the Apostles' Creed:

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven And sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, Whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic Church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen."

What is the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed, also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, was formulated in 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea and revised in 381 AD at the Council of Constantinople. This creed was created in response to the Arian controversy, which questioned the divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Nicene Creed provides a more detailed and theological statement of faith, affirming the co-eternality and co-equality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It also establishes the orthodox understanding of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine.

Here is the full text of the Nicene Creed:

"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And 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 for our salvation He came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, And was made 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.

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."

Key Differences Between the Nicene and Apostles' Creed

While both creeds affirm the core teachings of Christianity, there are several key differences:

1. Theological language: The Nicene Creed uses more technical theological language, such as "of one being with the Father" and "God from God," to affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Apostles' Creed, on the other hand, uses simpler language.
2. Scope of affirmation: The Nicene Creed provides a more comprehensive statement of faith, affirming the co-eternality and co-equality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Apostles' Creed focuses on the basics of Christianity.
3. Historical context: The Nicene Creed was formulated in response to a specific theological controversy (Arianism), while the Apostles' Creed evolved over time as a general statement of faith.
4. Use in worship: The Nicene Creed is often used in more formal or liturgical worship settings, while the Apostles' Creed is commonly used in more informal or evangelistic contexts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed affirm the core teachings of Christianity, they differ in their theological language, scope of affirmation, historical context, and use in worship. Understanding these differences can help deepen one's faith and appreciation for the rich history of Christianity.

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