The Creeds
At the Union Church of Guatemala, we declare both the Apostle's and the Nicene Creeds.
Why do we do this? What's the difference between them?
We affirm our faith by reading out loud the Apostle's Creed every Sunday in each of our 3 services, and for Communion Sunday, we read the Nicene Creed: join us this Sunday and declare your faith with us!
Why do we do this? What's the difference between them?
We affirm our faith by reading out loud the Apostle's Creed every Sunday in each of our 3 services, and for Communion Sunday, we read the Nicene Creed: join us this Sunday and declare your faith with us!
The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are two of the most widely used and ancient Christian statements of faith,
but they differ in origin, structure, and content. Here's a comparison:
but they differ in origin, structure, and content. Here's a comparison:
The Apostles' Creed
Origin: The Apostles' Creed is rooted in the early baptismal rites of the Roman Church and is believed to have evolved from early Christian creeds around the 2nd century, though the final form appeared in the 5th century.
Structure: It is simpler and shorter, focused on the basic tenets of Christian faith. It is a profession of faith used especially in Western Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant churches).
Purpose: Often used in daily prayers, baptisms, and other liturgical contexts as a succinct summary of faith.
Key Themes:
- Affirms belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
- Emphasizes Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
- Mentions the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Structure: It is simpler and shorter, focused on the basic tenets of Christian faith. It is a profession of faith used especially in Western Christianity (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant churches).
Purpose: Often used in daily prayers, baptisms, and other liturgical contexts as a succinct summary of faith.
Key Themes:
- Affirms belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
- Emphasizes Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
- Mentions the forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
The Nicene Creed
Origin: The Nicene Creed was formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and later expanded at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. It was created to address specific theological disputes, especially concerning the nature of Christ and the Trinity.
Structure: It is longer and more detailed, clarifying points of doctrine, particularly regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ and the relationship within the Trinity. It is used in both Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic and some Protestant) traditions.
Purpose: Primarily recited during the Eucharist (Mass or Divine Liturgy), it serves as a fuller expression of Christian beliefs and was designed to combat heresies, like Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ.
Key Themes:
- Elaborates on the nature of the Trinity, with explicit statements about the divinity of Jesus Christ
("begotten, not made" and "of one substance with the Father").
- Emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s role in the church and the life to come.
- Contains a more formal and explicit affirmation of the church as "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic."
Summary of Differences:
Historical Context: The Apostles' Creed predates the Nicene Creed, which was created to address doctrinal controversies.
Length and Detail: The Nicene Creed is more detailed, especially concerning Christ's divinity and the Holy Spirit.
Usage: The Apostles' Creed is often used in personal devotion and baptism, while the Nicene Creed is
commonly recited in the context of the Eucharist and formal worship services.
Structure: It is longer and more detailed, clarifying points of doctrine, particularly regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ and the relationship within the Trinity. It is used in both Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic and some Protestant) traditions.
Purpose: Primarily recited during the Eucharist (Mass or Divine Liturgy), it serves as a fuller expression of Christian beliefs and was designed to combat heresies, like Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ.
Key Themes:
- Elaborates on the nature of the Trinity, with explicit statements about the divinity of Jesus Christ
("begotten, not made" and "of one substance with the Father").
- Emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s role in the church and the life to come.
- Contains a more formal and explicit affirmation of the church as "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic."
Summary of Differences:
Historical Context: The Apostles' Creed predates the Nicene Creed, which was created to address doctrinal controversies.
Length and Detail: The Nicene Creed is more detailed, especially concerning Christ's divinity and the Holy Spirit.
Usage: The Apostles' Creed is often used in personal devotion and baptism, while the Nicene Creed is
commonly recited in the context of the Eucharist and formal worship services.
