The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council of the Catholic Church in 325 CE. This document presents the foundational dogma of virtually all Christian denominations and sects. Some of these dogmas are anti-biblical and so Messianic Jews reject the Creed. While some Evangelical Christians call themselves Messianics, no one who accepts these dogmas are reflecting the beliefs of authentic Messianic Judaism. The Creed is included here as a matter of education in what Messianic Judaism is not. The Creed has been updated several times however the following are most authoritative by their belief systems.
The Nicene Creed of 325 and 381
The following table presents the earlier (325 CE) and later (381 CE) forms of this Creed in the English translation as given in Philip Schaff's work, Creeds of Christendom.
The very fact that this Creed was updated so quickly demonstrates that it has no inspired status.
The numbers prior to the verses are added to indicate my comments on those points.
First Council of Nicea (325) First Council of Constantinople (381) 1. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. 2. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. 3. 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, being of one substance with the Father; 4. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds (æons), Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; 5. By whom all things were made [both in heaven and on earth]; by whom all things were made; 6. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was made man; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; 7. He suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; 8. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. from thence he shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. 9. And in the Holy Ghost. 10. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. 11. In one holy catholic and apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 12. [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.] Anti-Biblical Points In The Creed
1. Biblical
2. Biblical
3. Heresy: The term "Only Begotten" refers to the fact that Y'shua was the first created being and that he alone was created by the Father (Colossians 1:15, 16). All other beings were created by God through Y'shua.
"Very God of very God" defies the clear word of Torah that HaShem is One and there is no second. This heresy (along with the dogmas of the Trinity) is the most anti-biblical of Nicene Christian doctrines and is a major reason why so few Jews accept Y'shua.4. "Before all worlds (æons)" was specifically added to oppose the more biblical teachings of Bishop Arius (after whom the word "Arianism" is named). Bishop Arius was one of the last outspoken Messianic Jews of the early centuries. He was excommunicated, re-communicated but never allowed to spread the truth of God's absolute oneness. We interpret Colossians chapter one and other verses in the same biblical he did.
The implication of: "...was incarnate by the Holy Ghost..." is of the Holy Ghost as a separate entity (as will be confirmed below). The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is not the "Third Person" of a Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of HaShem, akin to the Shekinah. HaShem is One, not three.5. "All things" were made by HaShem through Y'shua. God is the Creator.
6. Biblical
7. Biblical
8. Biblical
9. Not specific.
10. Heresy: "The Lord and Giver of life" The Ruach HaKodesh is not a "Lord" and has no individual existence. The Holy Spirit is the Presence of HaShem.
"Who proceedeth from the Father": The Ruach HaKodesh is not a "who."
"Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified: Only HaShem is to be worshiped. Worshiping Rebbe Y'shua or the Holy Spirit as an entity is a serious offense against Torah.
"Who spake by the prophets": Again, HaShem spoke through the prophets by His Presence, not as a third person.11. Rebbe Y'shua did not create a new religion. The only religion authorized by the Bible is Judaism.
Baptism (nor immersion in the mikvah from which the rite is derived) remits sins. Immersion signifies that one has had ones sins forgiven and desires to live a godly life. Immersion of itself is only the a bath.12. These points are directly and intentionally intended to oppose the biblical teaching that indeed "There was a time when he was not" as Paul makes clear. Y'shua was the firstborn of all creatures (Colossians 1:15).
The phrase: "He is of another substance' or 'essence," is deceptive. Originally only the "Echad Elohiym" (the One God) existed. All existence came from Him and all existence is ultimately of his 'substance' or 'essence.'
"They are condemned by the holy catholic and apostolic Church." Based on this condemnation the Catholic Church and several of its daughter denominations executed literally millions of people including authentic untold numbers of traditional Jews, Messianic Jews (whom they termed "Judaizers"), European Pagans and others.All who love and serve the Jewish Cohen Gadol (High Priest), Mediator and coming Moshiach should reject the Nicean Creed and its anti-Torah beliefs.
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