Understanding Why We Profess the “Creed”
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that the origin of our faith comes from Jesus Christ.
So, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. – Rom 10:17
The significance of St. Paul’s proclamation of faith is that the profession of faith in Jesus Christ involves two very important pillars: First, our faith is rooted in the Word of God. Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, reveals that the profession of faith must be anchored in the Word of God, Jesus Christ, who is the Logos (Incarnation). Second, God’s salvific plan for us is centered on His Son, Jesus Christ, who at the moment of his birth became the focus of our profession of faith, as expressed in the Creed. The focal point of our identity is intimately associated with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Synonymous with the Creed is the love of the Father revealed through the death and resurrection of His Son. The profession of the Creed is not a standalone proclamation of the Catholic faith. The Creed represents a pledge that you and I believe in the one Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It means that the Creed is not simply a series of statements but an actual testimony of faith in the one true God, Jesus Christ, who came to die for our sins and open the gates of heaven for us.
The Creed refers to the distinctive teachings of the Catholic Church, rooted in the Deposit of Faith, e.g., Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, articulated through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed represent a synthesis of the Catholic faith, which is known as our Profession of Faith. The nature and identity of the Creed is affirmed and confirmed every time we profess the Catholic faith with the following words, “I Believe.”
This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith n its entirety. And just as the mustard seed contains a great number of branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old Testament and New Testaments.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catech, Ilum, 5, 12
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day 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.
I 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 adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
For further information on the teachings of the Catholic Church please contact:
Dr. Marlon De La Torre, Sr. Director for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at: mdelatorre@columbuscatholic.org