The Nicene Creed Annotated

The Nicene Creed reached its final form in the Second Ecumenical Council in the year 381. It is the version still in use today in all Orthodox churches. It is an authoritative expression of our trinitarian faith and, as the annotated version here shows, it is thoroughly biblical in its language except for that one word homoousion, which was a technical word brought in by the Fathers of the fourth century to satisfy the need for exactitude of language to protect against the Arian heresy.

I believe in one God (Hebrews 11:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6), 

the Father, the Almighty (Pantokrator) (1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 1:8), 

Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11), 

and of all things visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16).

And in one Lord (Acts 10:36; Romans 10:9; Revelation 17:14), 

Jesus (Matthew 1:21) Christ (John 4:25-26),

the only-begotten Son of God (John 1:14), 

begotten of the Father before all ages (1 John 4:9; John 1:18).

Light of Light (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5), 

true God of true God (John 1:1; John 5:18), 

begotten, not created (John 8:58), 

of one essence (homoousion) with the Father (John 10:30), 

through whom all things were made (John 1:3).

For us and for our salvation (Matt 1:21), 

he came down from heaven, (John 3:31) 

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) 

and of the Virgin Mary (Matthew 1:23; Luke 2:6), 

and became man (John 1:14). 

He was crucified for us (Mark 15:25) 

under Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:2), 

and he suffered (Matthew 27:50)

and was buried (Matthew 27:57-61).

On the third day he rose (Acts 10:40) 

according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). 

He ascended into Heaven (Luke 24:51) 

and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12). 

He will come again in glory (Matt 25:31) 

to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). 

His kingdom shall have no end. (Luke 1:33)

And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26), 

the Lord, the Giver of Life, (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:6), 

who proceeds from the Father (John 15:26), 

who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified (Revelation 4:8),

who spoke through the Prophets (2 Peter 1:21; Acts 28:25).

In one (John 10:16; Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 3:15), 

holy (Ephesians 5:26-27), 

catholic (Romans 10:18; catholic means universal, embracing and open to all and everything), 

and apostolic (Ephesians 2:20) Church. 

I acknowledge one baptism (Ephesians 4:5)

for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38). 

I expect the resurrection of the dead (Romans 6:5).

And the life of the age to come (Matthew 25:34; Revelation 21:1-7). 

Amen.