NicänerGlaubensbekenntnis

The Nicene Creed, also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a statement of the Christian faith that was first adopted by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and later revised by the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. It is one of the earliest statements of Christian belief and has been a fundamental expression of the faith for many Christian denominations.

The creed is divided into two parts. The first part, known as the Symbol of Faith, was adopted at the Council of Nicaea and addresses the doctrine of the Trinity. It states that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each fully God and yet distinct from one another. The creed affirms the belief in one God, who is the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. It also affirms the belief in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was 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.

The second part, known as the Anathema, was added at the Council of Constantinople and addresses the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the nature of Christ. It states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified. It also affirms the belief that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, of a rational soul and human flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

The Nicene Creed has been a subject of much study and debate throughout Christian history. It has been used as a basis for theological disputes, such as the Arian controversy, and has been a source of unity and division among different Christian denominations. Despite these debates, the creed remains an important expression of the Christian faith and continues to be recited in many Christian churches today.