Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church's profession of faith is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which begins with God the Father, the first divine person of the Holy Trinity, and the creator of heaven and earth. The Articles of Faith, according to theologians, are based on the truths of the Apostles' Creed. These articles are the primary truths that form the foundation of other revealed truths and principles. There are varying opinions on the number of Articles of Faith, with some sources citing twelve, and others citing fourteen, as described by Thomas Aquinas. These articles cover topics such as the human nature of Christ, his crucifixion and resurrection, the forgiveness of sins, and the life everlasting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| God | I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible |
| Lord Jesus Christ | 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 |
| Virgin Mary | Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary |
| Pontius Pilate | Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried |
| Heaven | He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty |
| Second Coming | He will come again to judge the living and the dead |
| Forgiveness of sins | I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins |
| Resurrection of the body | I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come |
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What You'll Learn
Belief in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth
The Catholic profession of faith, or Credo, is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which begins with "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible." This statement encapsulates the belief in God as the almighty creator and the foundation of all existence.
The concept of "God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth" is a fundamental tenet of the Catholic faith. It establishes the belief in a supreme being who is all-powerful and responsible for the creation of the universe and everything within it. This includes both the physical realm, heaven and earth, as well as the spiritual or invisible realm.
In Catholic theology, God the Father is regarded as the first divine person of the Holy Trinity, which also includes God the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. As the creator, God is seen as the source and sustainer of all life, with the creation of heaven and earth being the beginning and foundation of His works. This belief underscores the Catholic understanding of God's omnipotence and sovereignty over all creation.
The Apostles' Creed, another fundamental statement of Catholic beliefs, also affirms, "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth." This creed summarizes the teachings of the apostles and underscores the belief in God as the creator of the spiritual and physical realms.
According to Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic faith consists of fourteen articles of belief revealed in Sacred Scripture, together forming the Apostolic deposit of faith. These articles of faith provide a framework for understanding and articulating core tenets of the Catholic religion, with "God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth" being a pivotal starting point.
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Belief in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God
The Catholic Church's profession of faith, or credo, is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which begins with the words: "I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible." This is followed by an affirmation of belief in "one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages."
The concept of the Son of God is unique to Christianity and is central to the faith. It is based on the belief in the Holy Trinity—one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son of God is distinct from references to individuals called "sons of God" or "children of God," which commonly refer to mortal individuals with a right relationship with God. The Son of God, with a capital "S," indicates a title in Christianity for God made flesh.
Jesus of Nazareth, born to Joseph and Mary in the historical context of Roman-controlled Israel, claimed this title of Sonship and equality with God the Father. He is referred to as the Christ, or Messiah, who came to save Israel. His ministry lasted three years before he was arrested, crucified, and rose from the dead, as foretold in the Old Testament prophecies.
The Bible contains several instances where the title "Son of God" is applied to Jesus, reinforcing His divine relationship with the Father. For example, in Mark 14:61-62, when asked if he was the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus replied, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power." Additionally, angels, demons, and prophets, including John the Baptist, affirmed Jesus' divinity.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is considered the most compelling evidence of His identity as the Son of God. Romans 1:4 declares, "He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead." The fact that He rose from the dead is supported by various accounts in the Gospels, including the bribery of the guards at Jesus' tomb, further solidifying the truth of His resurrection.
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Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried
The Catholic Church's Articles of Faith are succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo known as the Nicene Creed. One of the fundamental beliefs in the Catholic faith is that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is a significant figure in Christianity due to his role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. According to the Gospels, Pilate initially found Jesus innocent but ultimately gave in to the crowd's demands for his crucifixion.
The portrayal of Pilate in the Gospels is that of a hesitant judge who struggled with his conscience. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate famously washed his hands in front of the crowd, declaring his innocence of Jesus' blood, as recorded in Matthew 27 and John 18:28-40. This act of washing his hands became the origin of the phrase "to wash one's hands of (the matter)," signifying a refusal of further involvement or responsibility.
The inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed underscores the historical nature of Jesus' passion and death. His mention in these creeds, alongside Jesus and Mary, highlights the significance of his role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.
While the Gospels present Pilate as a conflicted figure, extra-Biblical sources offer differing portrayals. Some legends depict him as a barbarous leader who defied Jewish traditions, while others, like the medieval Slavonic Josephus, portray him as killing Jesus' followers but finding Jesus himself innocent.
The question of why Pontius Pilate allowed Jesus to be crucified has been a subject of debate. Some suggest that Pilate feared for his life and position, knowing that siding with Jesus could be seen as a mistake by his Roman superiors. Others argue that he was morally weak and succumbed to peer pressure, ignoring his conscience.
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He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God
The Catholic Church's profession of faith, or Credo, is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which begins with God the Father, the first divine person of the Holy Trinity, and the creator of heaven and earth. The Creed affirms the belief in one God, the Father Almighty, and maker of all things seen and unseen.
The ninth article of the Apostles' Creed, "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty", is a critical aspect of the Catholic faith. This article refers to the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, which occurred after his resurrection and a period of forty days during which he interacted with his disciples.
The ascension signifies that Jesus' work of salvation was complete. His final apparition ends with his irreversible entry into divine glory, marked by the cloud and heaven, where he is seated at God's right hand. This idea is supported by Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25, which state that Jesus "always lives to intercede" for those who come to God through him.
Being seated at the right hand of God the Father symbolises the inauguration of the Messiah's kingdom and the fulfilment of the prophet Daniel's vision concerning the Son of Man. It affirms Jesus' glory and eternal reign, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
> "By 'the Father's right hand' we understand the glory and honour of divinity, where he who exists as Son of God before all ages, indeed as God, of one being with the Father, is seated bodily after he became incarnate and his flesh was glorified."
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He will come again to judge the living and the dead
The Catholic Church holds that Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead during the Second Coming, also referred to as the Last Judgment. This belief is succinctly expressed in the Nicene Creed, which states:
> "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end."
This profession of faith affirms the belief in the Second Coming of Christ, when the dead will be physically resurrected and, together with those still living, will be brought before Christ for a public judgment of their lives. This judgment will determine their eternal destiny—either paradise or hellfire.
The notion of judgment is often associated with criminal courts and wrongdoing. In the context of the Catholic faith, the judgment of God is understood as the final act by which he forever settles the destiny of each person. This judgment is based on faith, good works, and charity. Those who believe and live their faith, loving God and their neighbors, will be saved. On the other hand, those who believe but do not demonstrate their faith through love and good deeds will be condemned.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church further explains that this judgment will also reveal the consequences of the actions of all persons, serving as a demonstration of God's justice, goodness, and mercy. This belief in the Second Coming and the Last Judgment underscores the urgency of living a virtuous life and following the teachings of Christ.
The expectation of Christ's return and the judgment that will follow is a central tenet of the Catholic faith, reminding believers of their accountability to God and the eternal consequences of their choices.
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