Day 6: Historical Creeds

Creed of Nicaea (325)

Not to be confused with the Nicene Creed which takes place during the Second Council of Nicene this was written during he First Council of Nice in 325 in what is now Iznic, Turkey. This creed was, like the Apostles Creed, written to combat the heresy of Arianism which was favored by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Not to be confused with the Nicene Creed which takes place during the Second Council of Nicene. You might want tot take notes. 

This was, like the Apostles Creed, written to combat the heresy of Arianism which was favored by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Remember, this particular creed came from the First Council of Nicaea and called by Constantine I, who had no authority to do so. But being he was Emperor and all did it anyway, believing that this was a dispute between stuffy old scholars with too much time on their hands and easily fixed. Foolish Emperor! But the church leadership complied to at least look into the situation. It’s great to be king! Well…Emperor…There might be a test on this later, so be prepared.

And the council DID condemn Arianism or, more specifically Arius of Alexandria who was presumably there-with much reluctance. To combat the ‘heresy’ they introduced a new word ‘homoousious’ to refer the the Father and Son as being ‘one substance’ and to show they were equal…not exactly scriptural and rather vague. But it was a start.

Other important works coming out of the Council of Nicaea was a failure to determine an exact date for Easter. Even though we can figure it out using scripture. It tried to introduce the idea of celibacy in clergy but failed there, as well. Just as well as it isn’t a scriptural command anyway. It DID however condemn usery in the lending of money by church leadership which should’ve been easy given it’s already condemned in scripture. It denied clergy from moving from one church to another-probably to keep them from moving to richer pickings…I mean parishes…

We DID get introduced to the humorous old Bishop from the outskirts of decent civilization, namely one Nicholas of Myra who allegedly punched Arius in the nose. He (Nicholas) went on to be sainted and now spends his time on Christmas Eve flying around on a sled giving gifts to children and undoubtably looking for any other Arian children to punch. I don’t know, it could happen. Evidently he likes red noses.

Here then, is the creed as originally written in 325. Well, not really. It was originally written on a scroll with ink. And in Greek. But you get the idea that I’m writing this devotion a bit late at night and I’ll probably have to edit it in the morning. Or not. I mean, who is really reading these things anyway, right?

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,  Maker of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father the only begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the father. By whom all things were made both in heaven and on earth; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. But those who say: ‘There was a time when he was not;’ and ‘He was not before he was made;’ and ‘He was made out of nothing,’ or ‘He is of another substance’ or ‘essence,’ or ‘The Son of God is created,’ or ‘changeable,’ or ‘alterable’— they are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church.

Nope, didn’t make the last part up. This was a creed that had a purpose and they wanted everyone to know it! Because they might be stuffy old scholars with nothing better to do, but they were going to make a stance on this one! And so had you better agree, lest you wind up on Christmas morning with a sore nose!

Scripture readings for today:

John 8:52-58
Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’  Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.