A Short Commentary on the Creed …

In the early Church catechumens received instruction about their faith both before and after baptism. During Lent they were prepared for the Easter Vigil at which they were initiated into the Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. The full meaning and effect of this initiation was explained to them in a post-Easter catechesis, sometimes called ‘mystagogical catechesis’. At the heart of Christian initiation was the confession of faith through a baptismal creed. The earliest forms of these are found in the New Testament itself and later they took on the function of ensuring that people knew what the orthodox faith required (as compared with heresies such as Arianism). The Nicean creed, which we still use in our liturgies, developed from such baptismal creeds, expanded and developed through the teaching of the great councils of the Church.

Now that we are in Eastertide we would like to offer you such a ‘mystagogical catechesis’, reflecting in detail on the mysteries of faith as expressed in the Creed. So we are launching a new series of posts entitled A Short Commentary on the Creed that will take us systematically through this summary or ‘symbol’ of our faith.

We believe
in one God
the Father
the Almighty
Maker of heaven and earth
of all that is seen and unseen

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
For us men and our salvation
He came down from heaven
by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate
He suffered death and was buried
On the third day He rose again
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
We believe in the Holy Spirit
the Lord,
the giver of life
who proceeds from the Father
and the Son
With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified
He has spoken through the Prophets

We believe in one
holy
catholic
and apostolic Church
We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come