The Nicene
Creed is the most widely used statements of the Christian faith. Recitation of the creed is common to many liturgical congregations, such as Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics,
Anglicans, Lutherans, and in some churches with Calvinist history. In churches where the creed is not recited, the congregants usually agree with the doctrines embedded in the Creed.
Further, in the original Creed statement, "I believe in one, holy catholic and apostolic church . . ." please note the word 'catholic' is not capitalized. That is because the word means 'universal' -- not, as some might believe, Roman Catholic.
The entire Body of Christ, comprised of men and women from all Christian congregation who adhere to the fundamental beliefs inherent in the Nicene Creed are part of the universal (catholic) Church.
You will
find minor wording differences from one denomination to another, but essentially the
Nicene Creed reads as follows:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and
earth, of all things visible and invisible; I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God of God, Light
of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial
[of one substance] with the Father;
Through whom all things were made;
For us men and for our salvation He
came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man; He was crucified under
Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried; and rose again on the third day according to
the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the
Father;
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; His
kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of
Live, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified; who has spoken through the Prophets.
I believe one
holy catholic [i.e. universal] and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness
of sins; and I look for the resurrection
of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
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