We believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

begotten from the Father before
all ages,

God from God,

Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made;

of the same essence as the
Father.

Through him all things were
made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

he became incarnate by the
Holy Spirit

and the virgin Mary,

and was made human.

He was crucified for us under
Pontius Pilate;

he suffered and was buried.

The third day he rose again,
according to the Scriptures.

He ascended to heaven and is
seated at the right hand of the
Father.

He will come again with glory

to judge the living and the
dead.

His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life.

He proceeds from the Father and
the Son,

and with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified.

He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic church.

We affirm one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins.

We look forward to the
resurrection of the dead,

and to life in the world to
come. Amen.

a simple guide

The Nicene Creed is not Scripture, but a summary of what Christians have believed from Scripture since the early church. It helps us clearly confess who God is, what Jesus has done, and what we believe as followers of Christ.

“We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth…”

• What this means: There is only one true God. He created everything we see and everything we cannot see. He rules over all things with power and wisdom.

• Why it matters: God is not part of creation. He is the Creator, King, and authority over all things.

• Scripture: Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Revelation 4:11

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God…”

• What this means: Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet. He is the eternal Son of God, fully divine, equal with the Father.

• Why it matters: Only the true Son of God can fully reveal God and fully save sinners.

• Scripture: John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3

“Begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father.”

• What this means: Jesus was not created. He has always existed as God. He shares the very nature of the Father.

• Why it matters: If Jesus were created, He could not save us. Salvation depends on Jesus being truly God.

• Scripture: John 10:30; John 14:9; Philippians 2:6

“For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven… and was made human.”

• What this means: Jesus took on human flesh through the virgin birth. He became fully human without ceasing to be fully God.

• Why it matters: Jesus came near to rescue sinners. He became what we are so that we could be reconciled to God.

• Scripture: John 1:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Philippians 2:7-8

“He was crucified for us… he suffered and was buried.”

• What this means: Jesus willingly died on the cross in our place for our sin.

• Why it matters: The cross is the heart of the gospel. Jesus bore the judgment we deserved so we could be forgiven.

• Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24

“The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.”

• What this means: Jesus physically rose from the dead just as Scripture promised.

• Why it matters: The resurrection proves Jesus defeated sin, Satan, and death.

• Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Luke 24:6-7

“He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.”

• What this means: Jesus now reigns as risen King and intercedes for His people.

• Why it matters: Jesus is alive and ruling right now. Our hope is anchored in a reigning Savior.

• Scripture: Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25

“He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.”

• What this means: Jesus will return visibly and personally to judge all people and fully establish His kingdom.

• Why it matters: History is moving toward Christ’s return. Every person will stand before Him.

• Scripture: Matthew 25:31-32; Acts 17:31; Revelation 22:12

“And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.”

• What this means: The Holy Spirit is fully God. He gives spiritual life, convicts of sin, empowers believers, and points us to Christ.

• Why it matters: The Christian life cannot be lived apart from the Spirit’s power and presence.

• Scripture: John 14:16-17; John 16:13-14; Romans 8:11

“He spoke through the prophets.”

• What this means: God spoke through human authors by the Holy Spirit to give us Scripture.

• Why it matters: The Bible is trustworthy because it is God’s Word.

• Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21

“We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.”

• What this means:

  • One = all true believers are united in Christ.

  • Holy = God has set His people apart for Himself.

  • Catholic = “universal”; the worldwide church across all nations and generations, not the Roman Catholic Church specifically.

  • Apostolic = built on the teaching handed down by the apostles in Scripture.

• Why it matters: Christianity was never meant to be isolated or reinvented. We belong to Christ’s global people and stand in the historic faith once delivered to the saints.

• Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-20; Ephesians 4:4-6; Jude 3

“We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.”

• What this means: Baptism publicly identifies a believer with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Forgiveness comes through Christ alone, which baptism visibly proclaims.

• Why it matters: Baptism does not save us, but it points to the saving work of Jesus and our union with Him.

• Scripture: Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12

“We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come.”

• What this means: Believers will be physically raised to eternal life with Christ in the new heavens and new earth.

• Why it matters: Our hope is not merely escaping this world, but resurrection, restoration, and eternal life with Jesus.

• Scripture: John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 21:1-5

Why Recite the Creed Together?

The Nicene Creed helps anchor the church in historic, biblical truth. In a world full of confusion about God, Jesus, truth, and identity, the creed reminds us what faithful Christians have confessed together for centuries:

• Who God is

• What Jesus has done

• What the gospel is

• What the church believes

• Where history is headed