Creeds

In the year 325, the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the first ecumenical council in Nicaea, Turkey. It was a meeting of all high-ranking Christians, and it aimed to identify the core doctrine that defines Christianity. The result, later that century, was the <Nicene Creed>, a creed being a statement of fundamental beliefs. The Nicene Creed is officially accepted by the Catholic, Orthodox, and major Protestant churches today. In addition to the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed is popular, being officially accepted by Catholics and most Protestant denominations. (Note: many Protestant churches officially accept one or both creeds even if they do not much publicize it to their congregations.) The Nicene and Apostles' Creeds are very similar, with one exception to be noted below, and either singly or jointly they can be taken as definitive of Christianity.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Notes