Christian Practices Devotionals
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is a rich and carefully formed confession of faith that helps anchor us in the fullness of Christian belief as we enter into prayer. Shaped in the early centuries of the Church and affirmed across generations, it was written to clearly express the nature of God and the saving work of Jesus Christ. As you pray the Creed, you step into a shared declaration that has united believers across cultures, traditions, and time.
Rather than simply stating beliefs, the Nicene Creed invites you to dwell in the mystery and majesty of God. It leads you to confess faith in the Father who created all things, in the Son who is fully God and fully human, and in the Holy Spirit who gives life and sustains the Church. Its language is both precise and worshipful, helping guard the truth while drawing the heart into reverence and wonder.
As you move through the Creed, you are reminded of the larger story you are part of and the unshakable foundation beneath your faith. It creates space to reaffirm what is true, especially in a world of shifting ideas and uncertainty. In this way, the Nicene Creed becomes more than a statement of doctrine. It becomes a steady guide into deeper trust, a shared confession of hope, and an invitation to rest in the life of the Triune God.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light of 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, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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.
I 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.
I believe in one, holy, universal, and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
In the historic form of the Nicene Creed, the phrase “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” uses the word catholic in its original sense, meaning “universal.” It speaks of the whole Church of Jesus Christ across all times, places, and cultures, rather than pointing to any single denomination. Over time, however, the word catholic has come to be commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, which can create confusion for many who are praying the Creed today.
For this reason, we use the word universal in place of catholic to express the original meaning more clearly. The word universal helps communicate that the Church is not limited to one tradition, location, or expression, but includes all who belong to Christ throughout the world. It preserves the heart of what the Creed affirms while using language that is more immediately understood in our present context.
By making this adjustment, we are not changing the substance of the Creed, but clarifying its intent. It allows us to confess together that the Church is one body, gathered from every nation and generation, united in Christ. In this way, the language we use continues to invite clarity, connection, and a deeper awareness that we are part of something much larger than ourselves—the universal people of God.