A Comprehensive Study of the Nicene Creed
An in-depth theological, historical, and scriptural analysis of the Nicene Creed, synthesizing information from the Early Church Fathers, the Lutheran Confessions, and Lutheran Dogmatics.
Historical Context
Origins
Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Formulated to defend the apostolic faith against the Arian heresy, which claimed the Son was a created being and that there was 'a time when he was not.' The Council affirmed the Son is 'homoousios' (of one substance) with the Father.
Council of Constantinople (381 AD): Expanded the confession regarding the Holy Spirit to refute the 'Pneumatomachi' (fighters against the Spirit) and finalized the text generally used today.
Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): Further clarified the union of the two natures in Christ, rejecting Eutychianism (confusion of natures) and Nestorianism (separation of persons).
Terminology Debates
Ousia vs. Hypostasis: Early debates struggled with terminology. The Fathers eventually distinguished 'ousia' (essence/substance, which is common to the three) from 'hypostasis' (person/subsistence, which is particular to each). St. Jerome expressed hesitation to speak of 'three hypostases' fearing it implied three gods/essences, preferring 'one substance and three persons'.
Rule of Faith: The Creed functions as the 'regula fidei' (rule of faith), a summary of the broad scope of Scripture used to combat heresy. It is not an addition to Scripture but a synopsis of its doctrinal content.
I. The Father and Creation
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
Biblical Foundations
- Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
- 1 Corinthians 8:6: Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist.
- Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
- Exodus 3:14: I AM WHO I AM. God alone truly 'is' as absolute being.
Theological Analysis
Unity Of Essence: Against Manichaeans and Gnostics, the Creed affirms one Divine Essence. God is not a body, nor mutable spirit, but the simple, uncompounded Form of all things.
Fatherhood: To believe in the 'Father' implies the eternal existence of the 'Son.' The Father is the 'unoriginate' source, yet the Son shares His glory eternally.
Creation: God made all things 'visible and invisible,' rejecting the Gnostic view that matter is evil. Creation is the work of the Father through the Son.
Key Concepts
Monarchy Of The Father: The Father is the source (fons) of the Trinity, yet he communicates his entire essence to the Son and Spirit.
Creatio Ex Nihilo: Creation out of nothing, affirming God's sovereignty over all material and spiritual reality.
II. The Son and Redemption
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God... God of God, Light of Light... being of one substance with the Father... Who for us men and for our salvation came down...
Biblical Foundations
- John 1:1-3: The Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through him.
- John 10:30: I and the Father are one.
- Colossians 2:9: For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.
- 1 John 4:2: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.
Theological Analysis
Homoousios: The Son is 'consubstantial' with the Father. He is not a creature. Athanasius argued that if Christ were a creature, He could not save us. He is 'God of God' just as light comes from fire without diminishing the fire.
Incarnation: The Son assumed a perfect human nature (body and soul) from the Virgin Mary. He did not bring his body from heaven, nor was the body a phantom. He is true man to redeem true man.
Two Natures: Lutheran theology, following Chemnitz and Chalcedon, affirms the personal union. The divine and human natures are united in one Person without confusion, change, division, or separation.
Key Concepts
Communicatio Idiomatum: The Communication of Attributes: Because the natures are united in one Person, what is true of one nature can be ascribed to the Person, and the human nature shares in the majesty of the divine.
Genus Idiomaticum: Attributes of either nature are ascribed to the entire person (e.g., 'The Son of God died').
Genus Maiestaticum: The human nature of Christ receives divine majesty and attributes (e.g., omnipresence) through the personal union.
Genus Apotelesmaticum: The entire Person of Christ performs the work of salvation using both natures in cooperation.
III. The Holy Spirit and Sanctification
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son...
Biblical Foundations
- 2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the Lord is the Spirit.
- John 15:26: The Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
- Galatians 4:6: God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.
- Romans 8:9: Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Theological Analysis
Divinity: The Spirit is called 'Lord' and 'Life-giver,' titles belonging to God. He is worshipped and glorified together with the Father and the Son, refuting the Pneumatomachi.
Filioque: The phrase 'and the Son' confesses that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. This reflects the biblical truth that the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and safeguards the unity of the external works of the Trinity.
Work: The Spirit spoke by the prophets (inspiration of Scripture). He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth.
Key Concepts
Procession: The eternal relation of origin of the Spirit from the Father (and the Son), distinguished from the Son's generation.
Inspiration: The Spirit gave the impulse to write, suggested the subjects, and gave the very words to the prophets and apostles.
IV. The Church and Eschatology
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead...
Biblical Foundations
- Ephesians 4:4-5: There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
- Ephesians 2:20: Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
- Matthew 16:18: On this rock I will build my church.
- Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized... for the forgiveness of your sins.
Theological Analysis
The Church: The Church is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached purely and the holy Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel (Augsburg Confession: Article VII). It is 'one' because it shares one Lord and one faith.
Baptism: Baptism is acknowledged as 'one' because it cannot be repeated; it effects a permanent covenant and rebirth. It is necessary for regeneration and faith.
Resurrection: Christian hope is bodily resurrection. Just as Christ rose with a glorified body, believers look forward to the restoration of their bodies and the life of the world to come.
Key Concepts
Satis Est: It is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be preached harmoniously ... and the sacraments be administered in conformity with the divine Word (Augsburg Confession: Article VII).
Communion Of Saints: The church is not an external polity but the congregation of saints and true believers.
Confessional Standards
Book of Concord: The Lutheran Confessions embrace the Nicene Creed as a 'comprehensive summary, foundation, rule, and standard' of the doctrine of Christ.
Augsburg Confession: Article I explicitly affirms the decree of the Nicene Council concerning the unity of the divine essence and the three persons.
Formula of Concord: Defends the proper understanding of the two natures in Christ and the binding nature of the ancient symbols against errors.
Application
Worship: The Creed is a doxology and a confession spoken in the Divine Service as a response to the Word of God. It serves as a rule of faith for the interpretation of Scripture.
Pastoral Care: The Creed provides certainty against heresy. It directs faith away from self to the objective work of the Triune God. It serves as a pattern for catechesis and the examination of doctrine.