The Nicene & Apostles Creed:

margaret kozak
Mar 28, 2023
3 min read

Updated: 7 days ago

Understanding the Catholic Creed: A Summary of Our Faith

As Catholics, our faith is rooted in the sacred truths handed down through the centuries. To profess these core beliefs, we turn to two foundational summaries of our faith: the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed. These creeds serve as concise declarations of what we believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.

The Nicene Creed

Used during Sunday Mass, the Nicene Creed was developed in 381 AD at the Councils of Nicea and Constantinople. It provides a detailed statement of our faith, emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus Christ as "consubstantial" (meaning "of the same substance") with the Father. It also affirms the Holy Spirit as worshipped and glorified, and highlights the Church as "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic." This creed helps us understand the deep truths of our faith in a formal and profound way.

The Apostles' Creed

Often recited in the Rosary and during Baptism, the Apostles' Creed is an ancient summary believed to reflect the teachings of the Apostles themselves. It focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the foundational moments of our salvation.

Key Beliefs Common to Both Creeds

Both the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds affirm several core Catholic beliefs:

God as Creator: The belief that God the Father created the universe and all that is in it.
Jesus Christ: His divinity and humanity, including the Virgin Birth, His suffering, death, and resurrection.
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit as Lord and Giver of Life, who sanctifies and guides us.
The Church: One, holy, Catholic (universal), and apostolic, as the community of believers.
Forgiveness of Sins: The mercy of God that forgives our sins through Jesus.
Resurrection and Eternal Life: The promise that our bodies will be risen and that we will live forever with God.

What Does "Creed" Mean?

The word "creed" comes from the Latin “credo”, meaning "I believe." It signifies a personal and communal profession of faith—an affirmation of what we hold true as followers of Christ.

By reciting these creeds, we reaffirm our belief in the great mysteries of our faith and unite ourselves with Catholics across the world and throughout history. They are more than words—they are a declaration of what we hold most dear: our hope in Christ and our commitment to live according to His teachings.

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

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 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 for the forgiveness of sins

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come.

Amen

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