The Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed are two of the most significant creeds in Christian history, serving as foundational statements of faith for many denominations. Both creeds articulate core Christian beliefs, yet they originate from different contexts and serve different purposes within the Christian tradition. Understanding their differences involves delving into their historical backgrounds, theological emphases, and liturgical uses.
The Apostles' Creed is traditionally attributed to the apostles themselves, although it did not reach its final form until around the 7th century. This creed is simpler and more concise, and it is often used in the context of baptism and personal confession of faith. The Apostles' Creed is structured as a straightforward declaration of belief in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and includes affirmations about the church, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.
The Nicene Creed, on the other hand, emerged from the early ecumenical councils, specifically the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and the First Council of Constantinople in AD 381. This creed was developed in response to various heresies, particularly Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. As a result, the Nicene Creed is more detailed and theologically precise, especially in its statements about the nature of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
One of the most noticeable differences between the two creeds is their treatment of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostles' Creed states:
"I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come to judge the living and the dead."
This passage succinctly outlines the key events of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and future return. It emphasizes the historical reality of these events and their salvific significance.
In contrast, the Nicene Creed provides a more elaborate description of Jesus' divine nature and eternal relationship with the Father:
"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end."
This expanded Christological section was crucial in affirming the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, countering the teachings of Arius who argued that Jesus was a created being and not co-eternal with the Father. The phrases "eternally begotten of the Father" and "of one Being with the Father" were particularly important in clarifying that Jesus is of the same substance (homoousios) as the Father, thus fully divine.
Another significant difference is the treatment of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles' Creed simply states:
"I believe in the Holy Spirit,"
whereas the Nicene Creed expands on this belief:
"We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets."
This elaboration reflects the theological debates of the time, particularly the nature of the Holy Spirit's relationship to the Father and the Son. The phrase "who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]" (known as the Filioque clause) was later added in the Western Church and became a point of contention between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.
The Nicene Creed also includes a more developed ecclesiology and eschatology:
"We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
While the Apostles' Creed also affirms belief in the church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, the Nicene Creed's language emphasizes the unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity of the church in a way that was intended to address various ecclesial and doctrinal issues of the time.
The historical contexts of these creeds are also important to consider. The Apostles' Creed developed in the context of early Christian catechesis and baptismal rites. It served as a succinct summary of the apostolic faith that new converts could easily memorize and confess. Its simplicity and brevity made it suitable for use in a variety of liturgical settings and personal devotions.
The Nicene Creed, however, was formulated in the context of ecumenical councils convened to address specific theological controversies. The First Council of Nicaea was called by Emperor Constantine to address the Arian controversy and achieve doctrinal unity within the empire. The creed that emerged from this council, and was later expanded at the Council of Constantinople, was intended to provide a clear and authoritative statement of orthodox Christian belief, particularly regarding the nature of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
In terms of liturgical use, both creeds have played significant roles in Christian worship. The Apostles' Creed is often recited during baptismal services and in the daily offices of the Western Church. The Nicene Creed, on the other hand, is typically recited during the Eucharistic liturgy, particularly in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant traditions.
In conclusion, while both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed articulate the foundational beliefs of Christianity, they do so with different emphases and in response to different historical and theological contexts. The Apostles' Creed offers a concise summary of the apostolic faith suitable for personal confession and catechesis, while the Nicene Creed provides a more detailed and theologically precise statement developed to address specific doctrinal controversies. Together, these creeds complement each other and continue to serve as vital expressions of Christian faith and unity.
