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The year 2025 marks the 1700th Anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of the Church and the adoption of the Nicene Creed.

The Council was convened by Emperor Constantine to resolve the controversy over the deity of Jesus Christ and establish a common creed for the Christian Church.

Growing up in the Levant, I memorized the Nicene Creed in Arabic. When I arrived in the United States in 1950, I learned the Apostles’ Creed, and its nearly exclusive use in worship services.

According to chistian.netⁱ:

“The Apostles Creed is closely linked to the early Christian practice of baptismal confession. As new converts were baptized, they would affirm their faith by reciting the creed, thereby publicly declaring their adherence to the foundational doctrines of Christianity.”

Over the years, I have conducted worship services at Reformed Churches in the USA and Canada, where the Apostles’ Creed is always used.

The 1700 Anniversary of the Nicene Creed could be an opportunity to use this confession at a worship service.ⁱⁱ

Article 1: God the Father 

“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.”

Article 2: The Person of Christ. 

“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.”

Article 3: The Redemption accomplished by Christ. 

“Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit 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 sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.”

Article 4: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. 

“And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets.”

Article 5: Doctrines related to our life. 

“And we 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.”

Unique features of the Nicene Creed: 

In contrast with the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed refers to the Holy Scriptures regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Article 3); and the inspiration of the Prophets by the Holy Spirit (Article 4).ⁱⁱⁱ

For more information on the Nicene Creed, I recommend a book by Jared Ortiz and Daniel Keating:^iv

“Though the Nicene Creed is regularly recited in weekly church services, few understand its historical origins and connections to Scripture and key Christian doctrines. From a Roman Catholic perspective, The Nicene Creed: A Scriptural, Historical, and Theological Commentary bridges the gap, providing an accessible introduction that explains how the Creed is anchored in the Bible and how it came to be written and confessed in the early history of the church. Jared Ortiz and Daniel Keating show how the Creed reflects the purpose of God in salvation, especially in relation to Christians' divine adoption as sons and daughters, leading to glorification.

“With its roots deep in Scripture and the insights of the Church Fathers, this volume invites readers to join Christians throughout the centuries in reciting the deep theological truths that shaped their faith. Professors, students, clergy, and religious educators alike will benefit from this illuminating and edifying guide to the Nicene Creed.

“This volume helpfully includes sidebars in each chapter highlighting how the Creed has been received in the church's liturgy.”

Please, memorize the Nicene Creed and use it at church services.

ⁱ When Do We Say The Apostles Creed | Christian.net

ⁱⁱ nicene-creed.pdf (churchofengland.org)

ⁱⁱⁱ The churches in the Levant include Apostles: “the Prophets and the Apostles”.

^iv The Nicene Creed: A Scriptural, Historical, and Theological Commentary