Celebrating 1700 Years of the Nicene Creed

EcumenicalUnity
Written By Ministry Forum

The year 2025 marks a significant anniversary in the history of the Christian Church—the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. In 325 AD, church leaders gathered in Nicaea, now modern-day İznik in Türkiye, to affirm the faith we still hold today through the Nicene Creed. This creed remains one of the most unifying statements of belief across Christian traditions, declaring our shared faith in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“We believe in one God,
      the Father almighty,
      maker of heaven and earth,
      of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
      the only Son of God,
      begotten from the Father before all ages,
           God from God,
           Light from Light,
           true God from true God,
      begotten, not made;
      of the same essence as the Father.
      Through him all things were made.
      For us and for our salvation
           he came down from heaven;
           he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
           and was made human.
           He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
           he suffered and was buried.
           The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
           He ascended to heaven
           and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
           He will come again with glory
           to judge the living and the dead.
           His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the Lord, the giver of life.
      He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
      and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
      He spoke through the prophets.
      We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
      We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
      We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
      and to life in the world to come.

Amen.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is commemorating this anniversary with a year-long celebration called "Living the Apostolic Faith Together Today." Central to this observance will be the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, gathering church leaders and theologians from diverse traditions to explore the theme: “Where now for visible unity?” This moment of reflection reminds us that unity in faith has always been vital in a world marked by division and inequality.

As we approach this milestone, it’s a great time for churches to revisit the Nicene Creed and reflect on what it means for us today. How often do we recite the Creed in worship? How well do we understand its deep theological truths? Perhaps 2025 is the year for your congregation to intentionally engage with this shared declaration of faith.

Here are some resources and ideas for incorporating the Nicene Creed into your church’s teaching and worship:

Bible Studies and Learning

  • Sound Doctrine: A Biblical Study of the Nicene Creed - Download it here.

  • Bible Study Tools: What Exactly is the Nicene Creed, and Is it Biblical? - Article Here

  • Theologian Dr. Michael F. Bird - Videos about the Nicene Creed - Watch Videos Here

  • I Believe: A Study of the Nicene Creed - Read it here

Children and Youth Ministry Resources

Worship & Devotional Resources

  • We Believe…: A Service Based on the Nicene Creed from Reformed Worship - Find it Here

  • A Service of Hymns and Readings on the Nicene Creed from the Synod of Alberta - Find it Here

  • Ideas for Using Creeds in Worship from the Calvin Institue of Christian Worship - Read the Article Here

  • How Praying Through the Nicene Creed Can Strengthen Your Faith - Read the Article Here

Ministry Forum
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