Emperor Constantine

and the Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea of 325

holding

the Niceno-Constantinopolitan

Creed of 381

The purpose of a creed is to act as a yardstick of correct belief.

The creeds of Christianity have been drawn up at times of conflict about doctrine: acceptance or rejection of a creed served to distinguish believers and deniers of a particular doctrine or set of doctrines.

For that reason a creed was called in Greek a σύμβολον, a word that meant half of a broken object which, when placed together with the other half, verified the bearer's identity.

The Greek word passed through Latin "symbolum" into English "symbol", which only later took on the meaning of an outward sign of something

This revised text begins with ‘ I believe’

To assert our personal faith together with other believers

Each of us has to say our yes over and over again

Literal translation of the Latin CREDO

Makes this line more precise

Some things that are visible by nature are actually unseen

Your relatives who live in Lanarkshire are visible but unseen to you

We believe that God is the maker not only of things we cannot see

But also realities that are invisible:

Saints

Angels

These occupy our worship space!

This connects more closely with the Gloria

Jesus did not just materialise as the Son of God

But we also believe that he was not a created

He we intentionally begotten

His presence has always been part of the divine plan

This phrase connects with the Gospel of John:

In the beginning was the word and the word was with God…..

We use this phrase in the hymns of the Christmas liturgy

Jesus dwelt with the Father before time began

This points towards the full identity of Jesus

He was, he is and he will be……

Replaces the expression: of one Being

It describes the relationship of Jesus with the Father

This word is closer to the Latin

Consubstantialem

The question of how Jesus relates to the Father is important

Same substance as

Jesus in not like anything else or anyone else

This is more directly linked to the Latin…

Incarnatus est

Links with Johns Gospel

My flesh is real flesh

My blood is real blood

Jesus didn’t take on the appearance of being human

He is fully human

This sticks more closely to the Latin

And is translated in this way throughout the Missal

Connects with Qui cum patre er filio simul adoratur

Our doctrine of the Trinity….

This replace ‘we acknowledge’ is more direct in expressions

Corresponds to the Latin Confiteor

Means in this context to profess belief in….

Involves head and heart

A clear translation of the Latin

Resounds with confidence

We are a people of hope

An Easter people

We echo what Catholics have prayed through all the centuries

We become part of a chain of believers

Praying this is like a catechetical review – it reminds us of the basics of our faith

Role of the Father as Creator

What we believe in Jesus

His role in the Trinity

Role of the Holy Spirit

The place of the Church

Belief in everlasting life