What Is the Nicene Creed? Meaning, History, and How Its Words Changed
As an educator and podcaster who first studied the Creeds at the Kino Institute, I’ve come to see the Nicene Creed not merely as historical doctrine but as a living prayer that unites us with the early Church and defends the truth of who Christ is.
Here’s what it is, where it came from, and why it still shapes our worship and belief.
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Origins and Historical Context
In the early centuries after Christ, the Church faced serious threats from within. One of the most dangerous was Arianism, taught by the priest Arius, who claimed the Son was created by the Father and therefore not eternally divine. This struck at the heart of the Gospel.
To preserve unity and truth, Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. About 300 bishops gathered (tradition counts 318) to affirm that Jesus Christ is “true God from true God,” of the same substance (consubstantial) with the Father.
The creed was later refined at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, particularly strengthening the section on the Holy Spirit. The result is what we now call the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, or simply the Nicene Creed.
This was not abstract theology. It was a pastoral and missionary response to protect the faithful and proclaim the fullness of the Incarnation.
Full Text of the Catholic Nicene Creed (as Prayed at Mass)
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 for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
How the Nicene Creed's Words Changed: 325 to Today
The Creed we pray on Sunday was not written in one sitting. It was set down at Nicaea in 325, filled out at Constantinople in 381, given one added phrase in the Latin West, and translated into English twice in living memory. The faith did not change. The words were sharpened to guard it, and then carried into new languages.
If you grew up saying “We believe … one in Being with the Father” and now say “I believe … consubstantial with the Father,” this table shows where each change came from.
| When | What changed | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council of Nicaea, 325 | The original creed. It begins “We believe in one God” and confesses the Son as “from the substance of the Father … consubstantial with the Father.” It says only “And in the holy Spirit,” then ends with anathemas against anyone who says “there once was when he was not.” | To answer Arius, a priest of Alexandria, who taught that Jesus was not truly the Son of God and that there was a time when the Son “did not exist.” | Creed of Nicaea, Tanner trans.; ITC, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour (2025), n. 11 and note 16 (DH 126); In unitate fidei, 3–5 |
| Council of Constantinople, 381 | The Holy Spirit article is added: “the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.” So are the lines on the one Church, one baptism, the resurrection, and “his kingdom will have no end.” The anathemas are not repeated. | To confess that the Holy Spirit is fully God, against those who denied it. The Council of Chalcedon (451) received this creed and declared it universally binding. | Creed of Constantinople, Tanner trans. and introduction (“additions on the holy Spirit to refute the Pneumatomachian heresy”; Greek text preserved in the acts of Chalcedon); In unitate fidei, 8 |
| The Filioque: Toledo, 589; Rome, 1014 | In the Latin West, “who proceeds from the Father” became “who proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Filioque). The Councils of Toledo in Spain confessed it from 589. It was in the Creed in parts of the West by the late 700s, and Rome admitted it into the Latin liturgy in 1014. | To affirm that the Son is consubstantial with the Father. The Eastern churches did not adopt it, and it is still discussed in Catholic–Orthodox dialogue. | Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, The Greek and Latin Traditions regarding the Procession of the Holy Spirit (1995); CCC 247–248; In unitate fidei, note 10 (Benedict VIII, 1014) |
| English, 1973 | The English text used in U.S. parishes until 2011: “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty … of all that is seen and unseen … eternally begotten of the Father … one in Being with the Father … by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” | After Vatican II the Mass moved into English. The translators of that era favored natural, modern English over a word-for-word rendering of the Latin. | USCCB, “Consubstantial with the Father”; USCCB, “Changes in the Parts of the People” (2009); USCCB Catechetical Sunday 2011 (on Comme le prévoit) |
| English, 2011 (Roman Missal, Third Edition) | “I believe … of all things visible and invisible … the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages … consubstantial with the Father … by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man … I confess one Baptism … I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.” | In 2001 Rome asked that the Creed be translated “according to the precise wording that the tradition of the Latin Church has bestowed upon it, including the use of the first person singular.” “Consubstantial” is closer to the Latin consubstantialem. U.S. parishes began using it on November 27, 2011. | Liturgiam authenticam (2001), 56 and 65; USCCB, “Consubstantial with the Father”; USCCB news release, Aug. 20, 2010 |
Why "I believe" and not "We believe"?
The councils wrote “We believe.” The Latin liturgy says Credo, “I believe.” The 2001 instruction explains that the singular shows “the confession of faith is handed down in the Creed, as it were, as coming from the person of the whole Church, united by means of the Faith” (Liturgiam authenticam, 65). So when I say “I believe” at Mass, I’m not speaking alone. I’m speaking as one member of the whole Church. (For what “consubstantial” means, see What Does “Consubstantial with the Father” Mean?)
Why Catholic and Orthodox Creeds Differ (the Filioque)
The only difference in the words is “and the Son.” The Creed of 381 says the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father.” The Latin Church adds “and the Son.” The Catechism says the Eastern and Western ways of saying it are a “legitimate complementarity” which, “provided it does not become rigid, does not affect the identity of faith” (CCC 248). It also admits that the addition is still “a point of disagreement with the Orthodox Churches” (CCC 247). When Catholics pray the Creed in Greek, the Church does not add the phrase (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, 1995).
The Apostles’ Creed’s wording changed in 2011 too. You can see both creeds side by side in Apostles’ Creed vs Nicene Creed: Side by Side.
Line-by-Line Meaning and Theological Depth
“One God… maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”
It affirms monotheism and creation ex nihilo. Nothing exists apart from God — a truth especially comforting in our materialistic age. I remember reflecting on the invisible when I first paid attention to the Nicene Creed. We tend to live by the idea that out of sight is out of mind.
“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…”
This is the heart of the Nicene Creed’s defense against Arianism. The phrase “consubstantial with the Father” (homoousios) declares that Jesus shares the same divine substance as the Father, not similar, not lesser, but fully and eternally God.
For a deeper exploration of this crucial term, see: What Does “Consubstantial with the Father” Mean?
“For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven…”
The entire economy of salvation flows from the loving will of the Trinity. This section beautifully bridges divinity and humanity. The Missal asks all of us to bow at the next words, from “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate” through “and became man.” On Christmas and the Annunciation we genuflect instead.
“He suffered death and was buried, and rose again…”
Grounded in Scripture (1 Cor 15), this reminds us the Resurrection is historical fact, not myth.
“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life…”
The 381 expansion gave the Third Person His full due, completing the Trinitarian confession.
“One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”
These “marks of the Church” flow directly from the Creed and remain essential for understanding ecclesial unity.
The Nicene Creed in Catholic Life Today
We profess the Creed at every Sunday Mass and on solemnities, usually the Nicene Creed. The Missal also allows the Apostles’ Creed, especially in Lent and Easter Time. It is the Church’s corporate “I believe”—a public confession that unites us with Christians across time and space.
In my life, reciting it at Mass connects me to the rosary devotion my mother taught me, to the sailors I served with, and to the hope we carry as “beautifully broken” people seeking holistic healing in Christ.
Comparison with the Apostles’ Creed
While the Apostles’ Creed is simpler and often used in baptismal contexts or daily prayer, the Nicene Creed offers greater theological precision, especially regarding Christ’s divinity and the Trinity.
For a full side-by-side comparison with commentary, visit: Apostles’ Creed vs Nicene Creed: Side-by-Side Differences
New to the shorter creed? Start with What Is the Apostles’ Creed? Full Text, Meaning, and History.
The Nicene Creed in Latin (Credo in unum Deum)
The Nicene Creed was first written in Greek. The Latin Church has prayed it in Latin for centuries, and the Latin text of the Missale Romanum is still the official text behind the English we say at Mass. Here it is, with the current English beside it.
| Latin (Missale Romanum) | English (Roman Missal, 2011) |
|---|---|
| Credo in unum Deum, | I believe in one God, |
| Patrem omnipotentem, | the Father almighty, |
| factorem caeli et terrae, | maker of heaven and earth, |
| visibilium omnium et invisibilium. | of all things visible and invisible. |
| Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, | I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, |
| Filium Dei Unigenitum, | the Only Begotten Son of God, |
| et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. | born of the Father before all ages. |
| Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, | God from God, Light from Light, |
| Deum verum de Deo vero, | true God from true God, |
| genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: | begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; |
| per quem omnia facta sunt. | through him all things were made. |
| Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem | For us men and for our salvation |
| descendit de caelis. | he came down from heaven, |
| Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto | and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate |
| ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. | of the Virgin Mary, and became man. |
| Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato; | For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, |
| passus et sepultus est, | he suffered death and was buried, |
| et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, | and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. |
| et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. | He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. |
| Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, | He will come again in glory |
| iudicare vivos et mortuos, | to judge the living and the dead |
| cuius regni non erit finis. | and his kingdom will have no end. |
| Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: | I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, |
| qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. | who proceeds from the Father and the Son, |
| Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: | who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, |
| qui locutus est per prophetas. | who has spoken through the prophets. |
| Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. | I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. |
| Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. | I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins |
| Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum, | and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead |
| et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen. | and the life of the world to come. Amen. |
Filioque (“and the Son”) is the phrase discussed above.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Nicene Creed FAQs
Why did the Catholic Nicene Creed change in 2011?
The words were retranslated, not the faith. In 2001 Rome asked that the Creed be translated “according to the precise wording” of the Latin, “including the use of the first person singular” (Liturgiam authenticam, 65). So “We believe” became “I believe,” “one in Being” became “consubstantial,” and “born of the Virgin Mary” became “incarnate of the Virgin Mary.” U.S. parishes began using the new text on November 27, 2011.
What was the old version of the Nicene Creed at Mass?
Until 2011, Catholics in the United States prayed the English text from the 1973 Missal. It began “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen,” and said the Son is “eternally begotten of the Father” and “one in Being with the Father.”
What did the original Nicene Creed of 325 say?
It was shorter and began “We believe.” It confessed the Son as “consubstantial with the Father,” said only “And in the holy Spirit,” and closed by condemning anyone who said of the Son that “there once was when he was not.” The Holy Spirit article and the lines on the Church, baptism, and the resurrection came at Constantinople in 381.
What is the Nicene Creed in Latin?
It begins “Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae”: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” The full Latin from the Missale Romanum, with English beside it, is above.
What is the difference between the Catholic and Orthodox Nicene Creed?
One phrase. The Latin Church says the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Filioque). The Orthodox say “proceeds from the Father,” as the Council of 381 wrote it. The Catechism calls the two a “legitimate complementarity” so long as neither becomes rigid (CCC 248). When Catholics pray the Creed in Greek, the phrase is not added.
What does “consubstantial with the Father” mean?
It means Jesus shares the exact same divine substance/essence as God the Father — not similar, but one in being.
Why is the Nicene Creed longer than the Apostles’ Creed?
It was expanded to directly refute specific heresies, particularly Arianism, while the Apostles’ Creed remained a simpler baptismal formula.
Is the Nicene Creed only for Catholics?
No. It is shared by many Christian traditions, though Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestants use it in slightly different forms (notably the Filioque clause).
How does the Nicene Creed relate to the Bible?
It is a faithful summary and interpretation of Scripture, not an addition. Every line has strong biblical roots (e.g., John 1, Colossians 1, the Gospels’ Passion narratives).
Can I pray the Nicene Creed privately?
Absolutely. The Creed is a prayer as well as a profession of faith, and praying it on your own, in the morning or before bed, is a simple way to renew your faith each day.
Why do some churches use the Apostles’ Creed instead of the Nicene Creed?
Many Protestant and some Catholic services prefer the Apostles’ Creed for its simplicity and baptismal roots, especially in non-liturgical settings or daily devotions. Catholic Masses often use the Nicene Creed for its Trinitarian depth during Sunday worship, but the Apostles’ Creed is common in the Rosary or catechism. It varies by denomination and context.
What does ‘Catholic’ mean in both creeds?
It means ‘universal.’ The Catechism says the Church is catholic in two ways: because Christ is present in her, and because she is sent to the whole human race (CCC 830–831).
How do these creeds relate to baptism?
The Apostles’ Creed evolved from early baptismal questions, recited by candidates to affirm faith. The Nicene Creed, while not directly tied to baptism, reinforces the same Trinitarian formula from Matthew 28:19. The baptismal promises are based on the Apostles’ Creed. The Nicene Creed isn’t part of the baptismal rite, but it confesses the same Father, Son and Holy Spirit named in Matthew 28:19.
The Nicene Creed is far more than a relic of the fourth century. It is a bold proclamation that Jesus is Lord—fully God and fully man—and that the Church He founded continues His saving work. In a world full of competing ideas about who Christ is, this ancient prayer anchors us in truth, beauty, and goodness.
May praying it deepen your faith as it has mine.
Further Reading on the Creeds
Explore more on the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds:
- Apostles' Creed vs Nicene Creed: Side-by-Side Differences (Main Pillar)
- What Is the Apostles' Creed? (full text, history, and the twelve articles)
- What Does “Consubstantial with the Father” Mean? (a deep dive into the key phrase)
