Instructional Lord’s Supper the Nicene Creed
THE PLEDGE OF FAITHFULNESS
The word “Creed” comes from the Latin word Credo, meaning “I believe,” and thus we use the Nicene Creed to help us clearly and accurately confess what we believe the Bible teaches us about God. Moreover, when the Church was using the Latin Bible, Credo was the word used to translate pisteuo, the Greek word for faith (as in Jhn.3:16, 36; Rom.10:10), thus when we say, “I believe [credo/pisteuo]…” we are confessing our personal trust, our faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than just a list of doctrines that are to be assented to, this Creed is our personal profession of faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acknowledging God’s work of creation, redemption, and sanctification for us. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” because anything done without faith is done in rebellion to what God is doing in the world. Our faith is our loyalty and allegiance to God. Too many people think that after Jesus “ascended into heaven” He left the world only to come back some day in the future, but the fact is He never left – He took the position of authority in order to reclaim the nations (cf.Dan.7:13-14). As we say this Creed together, we pledge our allegiance to the work and mission of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.
The Nicene Creed -Stand-
Returning to the middle of the Altar, the priest says or sings:
Priest: I BELIEVE in one God (Deut.6:4)
Now the people join in with the priest making their profession of faith.
All: The Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible: (Ps.146:5-6)
(In God the Son, the Redeemer)
And in one Lord (bow head) Jesus Christ,(1Cor.8:6) the only begotten Son of God;(Jhn.3:16) Begotten of his Father before all worlds,(Jhn.17:5) God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God;(Jhn.1:1; Col.1:15; Heb.1:3; Tit.2:13) Begotten not made; Being of one substance with the Father;(Jhn.1:14,18; 10:30) By whom all things were made:(Jhn.1:3; Col.1:16-17) Who for us men and for our salvation(Jhn.3:17) came down from heaven,(Jhn.3:13, 6:38-40) (here genuflect) And was incarnate(Jhn.1:14) by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made Man:(Matt.1:20-25; Lk.126-35) (here rise)
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;(Jhn.19:16-19) He suffered(1Pet.4:1) and was buried:(Mrk.15:43,46) and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures:(1Cor.15:3-4) And ascended into heaven,(Act.1:9-11) And sitteth on the right hand of the Father:(Mrk.16:19) And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead;(2Tim.4:1) Whose kingdom shall have no end.(Rev.11:15)
(In God the Spirit, the Sanctifier)
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord,(2Cor.3:17) and Giver of Life,(2Cor.3:6) Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;(Jhn.15:26) Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who
spake by the Prophets:(2Pet.1:21; Act.28:25)
(In the Church, where salvation is found)
And I believe one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church:(Heb.12:22-23; Eph.2:19-20, 4:4-6) I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins:(Eph.4:5😉 Act.2:38; Mrk.16:16) and I look for the Resurrection of the dead:(1Cor.15:52-53) And the life † of the world to come.(Jhn.5:28-29; Matt.25:46; Heb.6:5) Amen.
