1. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ The Nicene Creed Part 2 13th May 2007 The Nicene Creed Part 2 13th May 2007

2. History  64AD - Nero starts persecuting Christians  312AD - Battle of Milvian Bridge  64AD - Nero starts persecuting Christians  312AD - Battle of Milvian Bridge

3. History  313AD - Christianity legalised by Constantine (Edict of Milan)  380AD - Theodosius - Christianity state religion and ONLY religion in 392AD  Christendom  313AD - Christianity legalised by Constantine (Edict of Milan)  380AD - Theodosius - Christianity state religion and ONLY religion in 392AD  Christendom

4. History  325AD - Council at Nicaea  381AD - Council at Constantinople  325AD - Council at Nicaea  381AD - Council at Constantinople

5. Purpose  Defines dogma  Central truths of orthodox (true belief) Christian faith  The stuff you have to believe to be a Christian  E.g. debates about Jesus’ nature  God or human?  Yes  Defines dogma  Central truths of orthodox (true belief) Christian faith  The stuff you have to believe to be a Christian  E.g. debates about Jesus’ nature  God or human?  Yes

6. Use  Still part of Roman Catholic and Anglican liturgy  But predates these  Not much used by ‘free’ churches  But still the baseline for our faith  Still part of Roman Catholic and Anglican liturgy  But predates these  Not much used by ‘free’ churches  But still the baseline for our faith

7. The Nicene Creed

8. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

9. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

10. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

11. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures; For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures;

12. 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. 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.

13. We 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 worshiped and glorified. Who has spoken through the prophets. The Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. Who has spoken through the prophets.

14. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

16. One Lord, Jesus Christ

17. Acts 1.9-11 (NLT) After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

18. 1 Tim 3.16 (NLT) Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

19. John 20.16,17 (NLT) “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

20. John 20.26-28 (NLT) Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

21. 1 Cor 15 (NLT)  v20 – But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again.  v48 – Every human being has an earthly body just like Adam’s, but our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ’s.  v20 – But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again.  v48 – Every human being has an earthly body just like Adam’s, but our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ’s.

22. Hebrews 2.14-15 (NLT) Because God’s children are human beings— made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set deliver those who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

23. Hebrews 2.16-18 (NLT) We all know that Jesus came to help the descendants of Abraham, not to help the angels. Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help is when we are being tempted.

24. Hebrews 4.14-16 (NLT) That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

25. Hebrews 13.8 (NLT) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.