THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
      Maker of heaven and earth,
      of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
      begotten from the Father before all ages,
      God from God, Light from 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 and for our salvation
      came down from heaven;
      and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
      he 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 is seated at 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, the giver of life,
      who proceeds from the Father and the Son;
      who with the Father and the Son 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 forgiveness of sins;
      and we look for to the resurrection of the dead,
      and to life of the world to come. Amen.

The Nicene Creed originated at the Council of Nicea (325 AD), and an expanded form was adopted by the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). It was formulated to answer heresies that denied the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and the person of Christ.