3. The Creeds

The two creeds of the Church which have traditionally been regarded as the measure of orthodoxy are The Apostles' Creed and The Nicene (really the Niceno-Constantinopolitan) Creed. The former was once regarded as penned by the Apostles themselves; in any case, it does pose a faithful summation of the earliest truths taught by Church. The Nicene Creed was promulgated in 325 AD by Nicea, the first ecumenical council of the Church. However, the creed more familiar to Sunday churchgoers is that which owes a debt to the Nicean but which emerged after the Councils of Ephesus (431 AD) and Chalcedon (451 AD). It came to be used in the Eastern Church and later, by the end of the eighth century, in the West. The principal focus at Nicea was the identity of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of and one in being with the Father. This "one in being" has also been translated as "consubstantial with" or of the same substance of the Father. At Constantinople, there was the additional emphasis upon "the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and Son is adored and glorified, who spoke through the prophets." The bracketed phrase, "and of the Son," was added later by the West. While the Scriptures would support the addition, the East has long contested any Western authority to unilaterally amend the Creed. The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed probably has roots in the original baptismal creed of the Apostolic church in Jerusalem. Since Chalcedon (451 AD), it has been considered the main creed of the Church. Creeds were a recognition by the Church that the Scriptures were insufficient to preserve the unity in the Church. Many heresies emerged which cited select biblical passages to gain their objectives. Fighting sometimes became quite severe. Both the Church's good order and the preservation of sound doctrine mandated that the bishops seek divine enlightenment in council, coming to a consensus with the Holy Spirit's guidance. Creeds were the end products of these assemblies, the final summations of truth in the Good News.

IN PRESENT-DAY LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS, THE NICENO-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED IS USED. HOWEVER, IN MASSES FOR CHILDREN, THE APOSTLES' MAY BE SUBSTITUTED.

Outline of Paul VI's Credo of God:

After the Second Vatican Council, one of the criticisms which emerged was its reluctance to draw up a creed or profession of common faith as had many previous councils. To help fill this vacuum, Pope Paul VI drew up a personal creed which he offered to the rest of the Church on June 30, 1968. It has been hailed as a wonderfully thorough presentation of the truths of our faith.

A. Introduction to the Credo

1. Same faith as that of Saints Peter and Paul

2. Blessing to all the Church

3. His creed is true to Nicea and is made by his authority as Peter's successor

4. Harmony between science/research and doctrine

5. Intellect reaches beyond the empirical

6. Trust in the safeguard of the Holy Spirit

7. Paul VI as another witness of the Gospel to the world

8. Clear and explicit creed for those seeking the truth

9. Offered in communion with the whole Church

B. The Credo: Profession of Faith

1. One Trinitarian Creator God

2. All Perfections and One

3. Three Eternal Processions in the Trinity

4. Jesus Christ: God and Man

5. Paschal Mystery and Resurrection

6. Endless Kingdom

7. Role of the Holy Spirit

8. Virgin Mother of God, Mary

9. Role of the Virgin in Salvation History

10. Original Sin

11. Cross and Redemption

12. Baptism and Grace

13. One Holy Catholic Church

14. Role of Peter and Successors

15. A Church Diverse But Rich and United

16. Call for Reunion with Others

17. Church and Design of Salvation Embraces All

18. Mass and the Lord's Presence

19. The Reality of Christ's Presence in Eucharist and Mystical Body

20. Adoration of Lord Given to Many But Not Torn Asunder

21. Kingdom of God Begun But Not of the World

22. Share in Life Eternal

23. Saints See and Intercede for Us to God

24. Communion of Faithful: Pilgrim Church and the Church in Glory

25. Blessed be God Thrice Holy. Amen.

26. Footnotes