The core essential beliefs are commonly summarized in the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, accepted across all Christian traditions.
The Nicene Creed is one of the most important and universally accepted statements of Christian faith. It was originally formulated at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and later expanded at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. This is the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, the version most commonly used in churches today. It expresses core Christian beliefs about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and salvation.
The Nicene Creed (381 AD)
We believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory,
to judge the living and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
and ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory,
to judge the living and the dead;
whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and Giver of Life;
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son];
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets.
the Lord and Giver of Life;
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son];
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spoke by the prophets.
And we believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And we look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Notes:
"catholic" here means universal, not Roman Catholic specifically.
"[and the Son]" is the Filioque clause, added in the Western Church (Latin tradition), but not accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church. It's a key distinction between East and West.
"catholic" here means universal, not Roman Catholic specifically.
"[and the Son]" is the Filioque clause, added in the Western Church (Latin tradition), but not accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church. It's a key distinction between East and West.
Let me say it again: if a denomination holds to these core truths of the faith, then that church is indeed genuine, and we can consider one another brothers and sisters in Christ. There is one God, one Church and we are all united as one in Christ.
John 17:20-21 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
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