Different views about the Trinity – creeds
A creedA summary statement of religious beliefs, often recited in worship. is a statement that sums up key beliefs. Creeds are often recited during Christian worship services.
The Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is based on the teaching of the apostleOne who was sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel or 'good news'.. The apostles were JesusThe central figure of Christian history and devotion. The second person of the Trinity. closest followers, and he sent them out to spread his message. Churches in the West use the Apostles’ Creed as a statement of Christian beliefs about:
- the oneness of God and the TrinityThree persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- the incarnationThe belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ. It is also the belief that God in Christ is active in the Church and in the world. of Jesus
- the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixionRoman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others., resurrectionThe Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion. The rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day in a new, or risen, life. and ascensionFor Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead.
- the work of the Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity. Active as God's presence and power in the world.
- the importance of the Church
- the communion of saintsThe spiritual union of members of the Christian church, living and dead.
- sinAct of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. and how Christians can achieve salvationThe healing of a broken relationship between people and God.
- Last JudgementThe Last Judgement, a time of judgement by God of all humanity. and life after death
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed was agreed in AD325 at the Council of Nicea. The council was a large meeting of Christian leaders from across the Roman Empire, called together by Constantine, the Roman Emperor. He had been baptisedWhen a person is initiated into Christian life during a ceremony which involves the immersion in, or sprinkling or pouring of water. as Christian and wanted to unify the Church.
Before this, Christians had been persecutionTo ill-treat people for their religious or political beliefs.. Therefore, to stay safe, they had practised their faith in secret. This led to lots of different versions of Christian beliefs, especially about the Trinity. The Nicene Creed was an agreement on key Christian beliefs and was similar to the Apostles’ Creed.
A later disagreement over the wording of the Nicene Creed was a key factor in a split that happened in the Church in AD1054. From this point, there were two Christian Churches: the CatholicA group of Christians who accept the Pope in Rome as their leader. Church in the West, which accepted a new version of the Nicene Creed, and the Eastern Orthodox ChristiansA branch of Christianity, eg the Church in Greece. Church, which could not accept the changes to this text.
Question
What is a creed?
A creed is a statement of beliefs, often recited during Christian worship services.