This We Believe: The Nicene Creed

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Sermon Intro

Is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all co-equal? Co-eternal? One God in three persons? The Trinity is probably the hardest truth of our faith to explain—yet it's also what separates Christianity from every other religion. Muslims and Jews reject it. Jehovah's Witnesses call it heresy. Have you ever struggled to defend why you believe it? Today we're looking at the Council that had to settle this question once and for all: Is God three-in-one? If you've ever wished you understood the Trinity better, stick around—because in AD 325, three hundred bishops fought this same battle.

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Opening Prayer

Opening Song

Great Things - Phil Wickham Acoustic Cover

Kids Time

Oliver, Charlotte, and Elliot.

Hey kids!

The Bible - how amazing is it? Show my bibles.

It’s amazing that we have God’s Word available to us so easily.

He has made this possible because He wants you to know Him.

Sermon Notes

Is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all co-equal? Co-eternal? One God in three persons? The Trinity is probably the hardest truth of our faith to explain—yet it's also what separates Christianity from every other religion. Muslims and Jews reject it. Jehovah's Witnesses call it heresy. Have you ever struggled to defend why you believe it? Today we're looking at the Council that had to settle this question once and for all: Is God three-in-one?

We are in week 3 of our This We Believe, Creeds, Councils, and Confessions series where we are looking at the historical events and beliefs of the earliest Christians and learning how and why they matter to us today.

Today we’re really diving deep into Christian history…

While we’re on the subject of history though, let me invite you to invite someone to our upcoming video series on Thursday nights as we begin to look at the history of the Christian faith from the Acts to Revelation using the video series, “Drive Through History.” It’ll take us through the actual sites where Pentecost happened, where Paul was imprisoned, and the places that John wrote letters to in Revelation and more. It’ll be a great series for you to invite someone to join you physically, or send them the Zoom link, if they are even a little curious about our faith. The series will show that our faith didn’t just happen at once, or simply by one or two people, and it’ll give a background on how the truth of Jesus shaped the lives of people from His resurrection appearance to today!

As I shared last week, one of the purposes of Creeds, councils, and confessions, was to help people understand some essential beliefs or doctrines of Christianity, and to defend against many of the heresies and wrong beliefs some self-proclaimed Christians had and were teaching at the time of the earliest days of the Church… after the times written about in the bible. One of the heresies we’re going to dive into today is called “Arianism,” and we’re going to look at the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed.

Today’s message might be a little more academic than passion filled encouragement, but I pray we all learn something that will help us in our understanding of God, how His Word and the countless witnesses before us has come down to us through them, and how this history is important for our faith today.

The Creeds

Latin word credo, meaning 'I believe'.

Early Creeds

OT Shema

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 The Lord our God is One…

Paul’s Creed - 55 AD

1 Corinthians 15:3–5 Christ died, was buried, and was raised… this was of utmost importance.

The Old Roman Creed - 150 AD?

The Apostles’ Creed - 200 - 300 AD

I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus His Son, I believe in the Holy Spirit.

The age after the Apostles, and when some of these writings date to is known as the “Age of the Catholic Church.”

Remember how we saw in the Apostles’ Creed that statement: I believe in the holy Catholic Church… and the explanation that this is not the Roman Catholic Church.

These Creeds and Councils we’re looking at, pre-date the Roman Catholic Church.

The Age of the Catholic Church

70 AD - 312

Two Greek words: kata (“according to”) and holos (“whole”) .

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch in the early second century wrote, “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” It universal, not just local and orthodox in contrast to heretical.

What began as a small offshoot of the Judaism, in 300 years became the religion of the Roman Empire. It moved geographically and socially during these first 300 years though many groups tried to rid the earth of any trace of Christianity through a myriad of persecutions including, stoning, burning at the stake, and more.

Even in its first 300 years there were already challenges to the faith. Heretics from all over were infiltrating pulpits teaching flawed doctrine, not because they sought to, but in truth because they either didn’t have a full grasp of who God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were. They sought to explain, to make it easier to understand God, but in doing so, they often limited who the Son and the Holy Spirit were. They were not a Trinity, but instead each distinct beings, or created beings of the One true God.

The Apostles’ Creed

As we saw in our study of the Apostles’ Creed, early on the Creed was meant to help hold a correct doctrine, even if the Apostles’ Creed didn’t specify the Trinity, it for sure pointed to the Divinity of the persons of God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit, derived following the baptismal formula from the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

The Apologists

During the early second century, we owe a lot to what were called “early apologists.” These were early defenders of the faith, apology being derived by the Greek word Peter used, apologia, when advising his readers to always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for our hope in Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15.

These early apologist wrote many writings, many of which we have copies of today.

Aristides, Justin Martyr, and Theophilus of Antioch, yes, the likely the same Theophilus whom Luke addresses in his own Gospel and the Book of Acts.

Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons wrote five books against the gnostic heresies in his area.

Tertullian, born in 150 AD, wrote many writings in his day, many in Greek. While his Greek writings may have been lost, 31 of them survived in Latin.

Docetism - seemism - Christ wasn’t really a man, but only seemed to be and seemed to suffer to suffer since divine beings are incapable of dying.

Gnosticism - spiritual knowledge - gnosis - dualism - spiritual good, matter is evil.

One of the most distinctive, and historically fought over doctrines, is the Trinity, that God is three persons.

As we spoke last week, this differentiates us from Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, and truly most any other religion.

Where the Apostles’ Creed may have fallen short, another Creed would eventually rise forth from a Council, a meeting of some 300+ Bishops and church leaders of the day, brought forth by Constantine.

Emperor Constantine became Christian in 312 AD and put forth the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting religious freedom effectively ending Christian persecution. He supported the church, sponsored building projects like Saint Peter's Basilica, and convened key Christian councils.

The Council of Nicaea

It was very common in those days to hear of the debates on the doctrine of the Godhead. And so, that debate also caused persecution of the various sides of the argument. To end this argument, and put to rest the persecution and division of the Church, Constantine called together the 300” bishops and church leaders to debate this idea of God in three persons.

A pastor by the name of Arius was one of the most renowned church leaders who argued that the Word (Logos) who assumed flesh in Jesus Christ was not the true God and that He had an entirely different nature, neither eternal nor omnipotent. He was a lesser being, and not the Creator.

It is said that Arius, to some, made Christianity easier to understand. It was easier to see Jesus as greater than a human being, but less or lower in rank than the eternal God. He was a great preacher and even put into jingles like little commercials for dock workers and children to sing.

After a synod, a more local battle, was held in Alexandria to condemn and excommunicate Arius, Constantine called forth the Council of Nicaea.

Constantine did not tell the Council what his preference was, but instead commanded that they reason together for an outcome because this division of the Church was worse than war. He then stepped aside and allowed the church leaders to debate.

It is said that the Arianism debate itself was put aside very quickly, with only the question of the condemnation of Arius to be dealt with.

Arius stood up to defend himself saying, that the Son of God was a created being, made from nothing. To which the council responded calling it blasphemy and they denounced the teaching.

A friend of the Emperor, and who may have had some agreement with Arius, Eusebius put forth a creed himself, which may have been part of his evidence of questioned orthodoxy.

The rest of the pastors however, decided it needed more specific to exclude the possibility of Arian heresy. So they produced a different creed that included “True God of true God, begotten not made, or one substance with the Father.

From this we received the Nicene Creed.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,

the Father, the almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is,

seen and unseen.

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 men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven;

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate of 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.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

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.

The Original at Nicaea (325 AD)

The creed formulated at the Council of Nicaea began with “We believe…” (Πιστεύομεν, pisteuomen).

This plural was intentional: it was the bishops of the Church speaking together, issuing a united confession against Arianism.

In that setting, the “We” emphasized the Church’s corporate agreement and served as a doctrinal boundary line.

Liturgical Adaptation (Later Use in Worship)

By the late 4th and early 5th centuries, especially in baptismal contexts, the creed began to be used personally and devotionally in worship.

Here, the plural shifted to “I believe” (Πιστεύω, pisteuō) — reflecting the same usage as the Apostles’ Creed in baptism.

Baptism is a personal confession of faith: “Do you believe…? I believe.”

Thus, in worship, “I believe” emphasizes personal appropriation of the faith.

We vs I

“We believe” reminds us we are not alone—faith is shared by the whole Church across time and place.

“I believe” reminds us faith must be personal—each one of us must confess it as our own.

Proving the Trinity

As the advisor to Alexander of Alexandria, a young theologian, Athanasius, helped him win a resounding victory over his elderly opponent, Arius. At the age of 33 he succeeded Alexander as Bishop of Alexandria. However, the battle with Arianism sadly continued on for another 50 years.

Truth be told, if you’ve ever tried to defend the Trinity or explain the Trinity, you understand how difficult it can be. From water and ice, to eggs, and to the human flesh, spirit, and soul, we’ve all heard and used many analogies.

My Jehovah’s Witness story - “My Lord and My God…” Doubting Thomas

Experience vs Scriptures

All Three Persons Together

Matthew 3:16–17 – At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice speaks: “This is my beloved Son.”

Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission: “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Ephesians 4:4–6 – “One Spirit… one Lord… one God and Father of all.”

Unity of the Father and the Son

John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”

John 14:9–10 – Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

Colossians 2:9 – “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”

Hebrews 1:3 – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…”

The Spirit’s Divine Work and Presence

When it comes to the Spirit, because He doesn’t speak in the Scriptures, we don’t see a testimony of His Word, but instead we see His actions:

Genesis 1:2 – “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

John 14:16–17 – “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…”

John 16:13–14 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Romans 8:11 – “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he… will also give life to your mortal bodies.”

Acts 5:3–4 – Peter tells Ananias he lied to the Holy Spirit, then says he lied to God—equating the Spirit with God.

We an see the Trinity best spelled out in John 1.

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We know God was in the beginning… this is never questioned by the faithful.

The Word - The Word is the Logos

Logos can be said to be the revelation of God. Yes, this can be speech, or the written word, but even the Greek philosophers would consider the logos to be wisdom.

The Word of God is active and living. With a word, He created.

John 1 here parallels in many ways the original creation account, and there we note Genesis 1:1–2 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

The Spirit

Spirit there in Hebrew is Ruach, which can also be translated to wind, or more aptly, breathe.

It is the cause of Creation.

John later quotes Jesus as using an analogy of the wind to describe the Spirit’s movement. In this case, he uses the same word, pneuma, to describe both Spirit and wind, along with its activity of blowing or moving about how It pleases.

The Spirit’s work like the wind—mysterious, powerful, life-giving.

The Light

Genesis 1:3 “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

John 1:4–5 “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

When John writes ‘In the beginning was the Word,’ he’s not inventing a new idea. He’s pointing us back to Genesis, where God spoke creation into being, and the Spirit of God breathed life into it. The Word is Jesus—the Son of God—who was with the Father and is God Himself. The Spirit is His breath, His power at work in the world. And the Father is the source of it all. John is showing us that this Jesus we follow is not just a teacher or prophet—He is the eternal God, one with the Father and the Spirit. That’s the heartbeat of the Trinity: one God, three persons, working together from the very beginning.

Why this Matters

I know today's message has leaned more academic than usual, but I want you to understand the history of our faith. The Creeds, Councils, and Confessions play a vital role in what we've been handed down by the great cloud of witnesses before us.

Men and women suffered and died for the beliefs we hold true today—so that we could receive these foundational truths and be prepared to give an apologetic, a defense for our faith. This is foundation. If Jesus is not 'true God from true God,' then we have no salvation. But because He is, we have hope that sin is forgiven, death is defeated, and life everlasting is secure. When we confess the Creed, we're not repeating old words—we're declaring the hope that shapes every part of our lives.

The Nicene Creed isn't some dusty relic made to fill old history books. It was a gift and a tool so that ordinary believers could know who they were and who their God is. When you say, 'We believe in one God… We believe in Jesus Christ… We believe in the Spirit,' you are joining your voice with two thousand years of Christians across the globe and across the ages. You don't stand alone in your faith—you stand with the family of God.

And more importantly, you stand on the unshakable truth of the Triune God who has always been, who still is, and who will be forever. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John's words remind us that before there was time, God was already Father, Son, and Spirit—creating, sustaining, redeeming. And this same God stepped into history for you, in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel

So when we stand and confess the Creed today, we’re not just echoing words from history. We are joining the church through the ages, declaring together that Jesus is Lord, that God is Father, Son, and Spirit, and that this truth is our hope, our salvation, and our life.

Closing Prayer

The Nicene Creed

Closing Song

Immortal, Invisible (Acoustic Song Leading Video) // Emu Music

Closing Encouragement

That's what the Nicene Creed is all about. It's not theory. It's not philosophy. It's God's eternal reality breaking into your reality. So today, as we confess our faith, let it not just be words from the past but a living declaration of the God we love and follow.

Benediction

As we sign off today, remember the God in whom you trust. He is One, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And He is with you affirming your salvation in Him and leading you to a confident faith ready and worth sharing with others and defending in gentleness and love.