The Creeds of the Church Session 2—The History of the Nicene Creed

The Apostolic Age to the Nicene Age

New layers of hierarchy

Constantine

What is a “heresy”?

The Arian Controversy

Arius

Alexander

Arius denied the deity of the Son, feeling that it dishonored God.

The Council of Nicaea

What have you heard about the Council of Nicaea?

Dan Brown tells his readers that the Council of Nicaea was where the Emperor and bishops decided what would be in the Bible.

Athanasius

How would you defend the doctrine of the deity of the Son?

John 10:30 I and the Father are one. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. John 10:30 I and the Father are one.

The Council of Constantinople

The Semi-Arians disavowed Arius’ formulation that the Son was the “first creation of God,” and agreed that he was God, but denied him to be the “same essence” as the Father.

Macedonius was a Semi-Arian who taught that the Holy Spirit was not equal with the Father any more than was the Son.

The Council of Constantinople convened in 381 AD to discuss the matter.

How would you defend the doctrine of the deity of the Holy Spirit?

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….

Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

The Text of the Nicene Creed

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 begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things came into existence,

Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man, and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father, and will come again with glory to judge living and dead, of Whose kingdom there will be no end;

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is together worshipped and together glorified, Who spoke through the prophets;  in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism to the remission of sins; we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.