Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church has produced many creeds over the years, with the three most well-known being the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. These ecumenical creeds are accepted by almost all mainstream Christian denominations in the West, including Lutherans, Reformed, Catholics, and Anglicans. The Eastern Orthodox Church accepts the Nicene Creed but does not use the other two. After the Council of Trent, three additional creeds were issued, bringing the total number of important creeds in the Catholic Church to thirteen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Creeds | 13 |
| First Creed | Apostle's Creed |
| Second Creed | Nicene Creed |
| Third Creed | Athanasian Creed |
| Creed of Toledo | Supplements St. Augustine's teachings of the Trinity to the Athanasian Creed |
| Symbol of | Elaborates on the Nicene Creed, with added material to combat the errors of the Manicheans and Pelagians |
| Creed of the Fourth Lateran Council | Developed the church's teaching concerning the sacraments and completed the church's teaching on the Trinity |
| Tridentine Profession of Faith | Meant for converts from Protestantism, adding various doctrines defined in the Council of Trent |
| Profession of Faith by Gregory XIII | Reiterated the doctrines defined by the Council of Florence, especially the Trinity, Eschatology, and Ecclesiology |
| Profession of Faith for the Easterns | Summarizes the first eight ecumenical councils and the content from the Councils of Florence and Trent |
| Oath Against Modernism | Contains important material on fundamental theology |
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What You'll Learn
The Apostles' Creed
The text of the Apostles' Creed was likely developed in southern Gaul around the midpoint of the 5th century. A virtually identical creed is recorded by Faustus of Riez, though the original text written by Faustus cannot be reconstructed with certainty. The Old Roman Creed remained the standard liturgical text of the Roman Church from the 4th to the 7th centuries. It was replaced by the "Gallic" version of the Apostles' Creed in the 8th century, under Charlemagne, who imposed it throughout his dominions.
The expression "Apostles' Creed" is first mentioned in a letter from the Synod of Milan dated AD 390, referring to a belief at the time that each of the Twelve Apostles contributed an article to the twelve articles of the creed. The narrative of this creed having been jointly created by the Apostles was already current at that time. The Apostles' Creed is shorter than the full Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, though it is still explicitly trinitarian in structure, with sections affirming belief in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
> I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and 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 into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
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The Nicene Creed
There are three Catholic creeds: the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Now, here is a detailed explanation of the Nicene Creed:
The creed begins with a profession of faith in God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth, and goes on to affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ, God's only Son. It emphasizes key Christian doctrines such as the Virgin birth, Christ's suffering under Pontius Pilate, and his descent into hell after death. The creed also expresses belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, and the forgiveness of sins.
One of the most significant aspects of the Nicene Creed is its role in establishing the doctrine of the Trinity—the belief in one God existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This doctrine was a central topic of debate during the early church councils, and the creed's language reflects the careful formulation adopted to affirm this fundamental aspect of Christian theology.
The creed also affirms the importance of the church as the body of Christ on earth. It professes belief in "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church," highlighting the universal nature of the Christian faith and its foundation in the teachings of the apostles. This section of the creed has been a unifying factor for Christians across denominational lines, emphasizing the shared beliefs that transcend theological differences.
Moreover, the Nicene Creed serves as a liturgical text in many Christian traditions. It is often recited during worship services, particularly on Sundays and feast days, as a way to confess and reaffirm the faith. The creed provides a sense of continuity with the early Church and helps believers connect with the rich theological heritage of Christianity.
In conclusion, the Nicene Creed stands as a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, providing a concise yet comprehensive summary of essential beliefs. Its formulation was a pivotal moment in the development of Christian theology, ensuring the preservation of orthodox teachings amid a landscape of emerging heresies. Through its affirmation of the Trinity, Christ's nature, and the role of the Church, the Nicene Creed continues to shape Christian faith and practice today.
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The Athanasian Creed
There are 13 Creeds of the Catholic Church. The first is the Apostle's Creed, which is the foundation of all future creeds. The second is the Nicene Creed, which expands upon the first. The third is the Athanasian Creed, which is the focus of this response.
The creed consists of two parts. The first part sets forth the doctrine of the Trinity, enumerating the three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and ascribing the divine attributes to each individually. The second part deals chiefly with the incarnation and the two-nature doctrine of Christ, reflecting the teachings of the First Council of Ephesus in 431. The creed's wording excludes various Christological heresies, such as Arianism, Nestorianism, and Eutychianism.
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The Tridentine Profession of Faith
The Catholic Church has produced many creeds, the most well-known being the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian Creed. One of the lesser-known creeds is the Tridentine Profession of Faith, also known as the "Creed of Pope Pius IV". Issued in 1565 by Pope Pius IV, it is one of four authoritative Creeds of the Catholic Church.
> I acknowledge the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church as the mother and teacher of all churches; and I promise true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, successor to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ.
The Creed goes on to profess a belief in the seven sacraments, the sacrifice of the mass, and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It also affirms the existence of Purgatory and the intercession of the saints.
The conclusion of the Creed is a pledge to uphold and teach these beliefs:
> This true Catholic faith, outside of which no one can be saved, which I now freely profess and to which I truly adhere, I do so profess and swear to maintain inviolate and with firm constancy with the help of God until the last breath of life. And I shall strive, as far as possible, that this same faith shall be held, taught, and professed by all those over whom I have charge.
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The Profession of Faith
A profession of faith is a personal and public statement of an individual's belief or faith. In the Catholic Church, adults joining were formerly asked to abjure their previous faith and make a profession of faith. One such profession of faith used is the Tridentine Profession of Faith. This was the first of three creeds issued after the Council of Trent. It was meant for converts from Protestantism and added in various doctrines that were defined in the Council.
The Catholic belief is also expressed in the Nicene Creed, which is considered the foundation of all future creeds. It reads: "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man."
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Frequently asked questions
There are 13 Catholic creeds, with the first being the foundation for all future creeds.
The first Catholic creed is the Apostle's Creed, written around 150. It reads: " [I believe] in the Father almighty,—and in Jesus Christ, our Savior;—and in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in the holy Church, and in the remission of sins."
The most famous Catholic creed is the Nicene Creed, which is also accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was formulated in 325 AD and reads: "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible."
The third Catholic creed is the Athanasian Creed. There is no Greek original, but this is likely because St. Athanasius travelled to Rome in 338 and lived there for six years.
