"And there is no salvation in any other one, for neither is there any other name, given under heaven among men, in which we must be saved"
Acts of the Apostles 4: 12, Concordant New Testament
By definition, a creed is defined as a system of belief, principles or opinions. But few Christians are aware that the very faith in which they believe has been structured from the earliest centuries. Also known as the Creed of Constantinople, the Nicene creed is described as "Statement of belief" in Nicene Christianity. The creed is part of a profession of faith required of those in important functions within the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches. But I believe that its influences have permeated most if not all of modern Christianity as we know it. Before the creation of the Nicene Creed, various theological differences arose in those who professed to follow the teachings of Christ Jesus. This was, in my mind, to be expected. Even today, new churches spring up constantly due to someone's disagreement with how their own church operates. I have a friend who proudly proclaims that he was kicked out of his church some years ago for challenging what was being taught there. I believe that this was how it was in the days before the creation of the Nicene Creed. The emperor Constantine is known as the one who assembled the council of Nicaea in order to resolve the disputes in the Christian belief which he, as emperor, believed in. It was also feared that if allowed to continue, that these disputes would somehow destabilize the empire of emperor Constantine. And that simply couldn't happen. So it is that Constantine intervened and set forth a common system of beliefs which all believers would attest to. This included the reference to "One God, the Almighty" and as Christ Jesus as the "Son of God." In effect, this Nicene Creed set forth a statement of beliefs which all churches would adhere to. So it is that the statement of beliefs which we continue to see in churches today is an adaptation of that council of Nicaea long ago.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God, for many false prophets have come out into the world
First Epistle of John 4: 1, Concordant New Testament
I remember seeing "Statements of Faith" in a few of the churches which I have been involved in. Basically, they were testaments of what was believed and taught within the walls of that church. I have even known many Christians who have based their choice of churches to attend solely upon a churches statement of faith. But here's my take on this, these statements have not changed in thousands of years! In other words, if you've seen one you've seen them all. The purpose of the Council of Nicaea was to CONFORM the beliefs of the Christian religion into one set system of beliefs...or creed. I would say, mission accomplished in that regard! Yet then I look upon the words of the apostle John, who proclaims that we should "Test the spirits to see if they are of God" {First Epistle of John 4:1}. Is this to include the spirits of those who adhere to the Nicene creed? In my experience, the teachings of the mainstream church have fallen far short of the truth we find in the Father. The fact that the church continues to speak to the existence of sin when the apostle Paul clearly proclaims that Christ has already paid that penalty for us {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. Are we to proclaim Paul a liar? And, speaking of the sin issue, Paul has also written that Jesus indeed died to sin "Once for all time" {Paul to the Romans 6:10}. You speak of sin, yet it is Christ Jesus who has given Himself on the cross that sin be abolished once and for all! Believe me, this contradiction between the scriptures and church teachings caused me more than my share of confusion. There are indeed many contradictions in the creed of Nicaea, but the sin issue is one that many believers continue to lose their way on. The Nicene creed does not mention it, but the reality is that we live in union with the Father {Johns Account 14:20}. For me, I will trust in the word of the Father over a dead emperor any day.
Religion has actually convinced people that there is a invisible man living in the sky watching everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever until the end of time! But he loves you. He loves you, and he needs money. He always needs money. He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow he just can't handle money.
George Carlin
~Scott~
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