Today, June 12, is the anniversary of the Council of Nicea, held in 325 A.D. to clarify that Jesus Christ was and is both true God and true Man. Out of that council came The Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
This creed exists in several versions. The original said “We believe,” rather than “I believe” (so that it is a churchly confession rather than an individual confession as the Apostles’ Creed, used in baptism is). And the Western church added that the Holy Ghost proceeds not only from the Father, but also from the Son, making that change without consulting the Eastern churches, which became a major factor in the split between Western Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. And various English translations use more inclusive language than the English “for us men.” Still, this majestic, eloquent confession of faith is an “ecumenical creed,” meant to encapsulate what all Christians believe.
Questions, because I want to learn: Those of you who are Calvinist/Reformed affirm this creed. What do you do with believing in “one baptism for the remission of sins”? My understanding of Reformed teaching about baptism is that it has to do with covenant and church membership rather than “remission of sins.” Also, to those of you who belong to non-creedal churches, I understand your position of “no creed but the Bible.” But do you agree with the substance of the Nicene Creed? Are there any parts you would have problems with?
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