1 - Thought from Me

When does the Christmas story start? Matthew helps us understand Jesus' identity by tracing his earthly lineage to David and Abraham (Matt. 1:1-7). Luke rewinds all the way back to Adam, who was the son of God (Luke 3:23-38). John goes back even further, teaching us about his identity as the second person of the Trinity who forever was with God, and is God (John 1:1-14).

While the Apostles' Creed sounds more like the synoptic gospels, beginning Jesus' story with his birth ("who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary…"), the Nicene Creed takes its cues from the book of John. It begins Christ's story in eternity past.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
The only Son of God,
Eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

If the Nicene Creed isn't part of your church's vocabulary, consider giving it a second look. One way to help the members of our churches learn good doctrine is by exposing them to concise statements that have stood the test of time. The more we grasp Christ's eternal glory, the more we will be stunned at his birth in Bethlehem.

2 - Quotes from Others

I.
“The Nicene Creed has remained for nearly seventeen centuries a secure foundation for the church’s theology, worship, and prayer.” Mark Noll (Source)

II.
“A dead creed is of no use; we must have our creed baptized with the Holy Ghost.” Charles Spurgeon (Source)

3 - Resources on the Nicene Creed

I.
Song: The God We Love (Nicene Creed) by Matt Redman & City Alight

II.
Book: The Nicene Creed: What You Need to Know about the Most Important Creed Ever Written by Kevin DeYoung

III.
Video: The Nicene Line by Fred Sanders