The Historical Why: Arius, Alexander, and the Council of Nicaea
To understand the “why” behind the Nicene Creed, we begin with the story of Arius, a priest in Alexandria around 318 AD. Arius was a gifted teacher—tall, thin, severe in appearance, and popular among both clergy and laypeople. His teachings, designed to make worship and witness simpler, claimed that Jesus was not eternal, not of the same substance as God the Father, and was forever subordinate to Him.
Arius’s ideas, though heretical, were catchy and accessible. He even set his theology to music, creating “theological sea shanties” that spread quickly among sailors, dock workers, and market women. His most famous tune declared, “There was a time when Christ was not.”
Arius’s bishop, Alexander, saw the danger in simplifying Jesus’s identity. Alexander insisted that trimming down the mystery of Christ for the sake of convenience would ultimately mean losing the heart of Christian faith.
The controversy grew, and by 325 AD, Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea. Over 300 bishops from across the Christian world gathered to clarify and affirm the true identity of Jesus.
The result was the Nicene Creed—a statement designed to anchor Christian worship and witness in the saving work of Christ. The Council’s “why” was clear: if you get Jesus wrong, you get everything else of significance wrong.
The Theological Why: Focusing on Christ
The Nicene Creed’s longest section is devoted to Jesus. It describes His divine identity with phrases like “eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.” This language was carefully chosen to counter Arius’s teachings and to unite the church’s witness across cultures and philosophies.
The Creed affirms that Jesus is not a created being but shares the same divine essence as the Father.
Rather than reacting to Arius by blurring the lines between Father and Son, the Creed intentionally draws from both scripture and thoughtful reasoning to carefully guard the truth: everything that God the Father is, Jesus Christ is as well
There is no derivation, no “knockoff brand.” Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”
This careful phrasing brought together preferred language from both the eastern and western church, ensuring that the faith was shared in common while encouraging mission and witness.
The Ministry of Christ: Past, Present, and Future
After describing Jesus’s identity, the Creed moves to His ministry; what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do.
It tells the story of Jesus’s life: “He came down from heaven, became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, was made man, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered death, was buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven.” These are real events from history, moments so remarkable that, while they happened in our world, they point to something far greater than anything a created being could accomplish.
The Creed then looks to the future: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.” Even these future promises—judgment and the eternal kingdom—might sound, at first glance, like roles that could be given to an angel or another messenger.
But the Creed’s present-tense statement is unique: “He is seated at the right hand of the Father.” This is what Jesus is doing right now. This reminds us that Jesus is active even now.
Though He endured incredible humility and suffering, His glory remains untouched; He is exalted, present with the Father, and reigns in majesty today.
The Four Fours: The Heart of the Creed
At the heart of the Creed are the “four fours:” four phrases that help us see the Creed’s purpose and reveal God’s deep love for humanity:
- For us
- For our salvation
- For our sake
- For the forgiveness of sins
These words capture why Jesus came, suffered, died, rose again, and ascended to heaven. The Creed isn’t just a list of beliefs; it’s a “rescue song,” reminding us that everything Jesus did was out of love and for our salvation.
Why Are the Four Fours Important?
- For us and for our salvation: Before describing Jesus’s earthly ministry, the Creed reminds us of the reason behind everything He did: His deep love for humanity and His desire to save us. This foundational “why” shapes the heart of Christian worship and witness.
- For our sake: Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection weren’t distant or impersonal events; they were loving acts done for each one of us. The Creed proclaims that God’s heart is full of compassion for creation, for those who are hurting, and for anyone who feels far from Him.
- For the forgiveness of sins: Through baptism, we are united to Jesus, sharing in His death and resurrection and receiving the gift of forgiveness. This is the fourth “for,” reminding us that God’s purpose unfolds not just in distant history, but right here in each of our hearts.
We are encouraged to carry these truths in our hearts, allowing the “four fours” to shape how we worship and share our faith. The Creed is meant to ground our trust in what Christ has done for us and to remind us daily that Jesus’s actions were always for us and for our salvation.
Application: Worship and Witness
Take a moment to reflect on who Jesus is to you, and encounter Him as the Savior who came just for you. Discovering the “why” behind the Creed brings a vibrant and authentic faith to life.
The Creed is so much more than words; it’s both a bold declaration of what we believe and a guide for how we worship and share our faith, finding its roots in God’s deep love for humanity.
The Creed is described as a “rescue song,” not just a classroom lecture or a list of theological statements, but a living and breathing testimony to the love and purpose of God in Christ. Take the “four fours” with you into daily life, reminding yourself that whatever you face, Jesus did everything “for us and for our salvation.”
This powerful truth can shape how we worship, how we care for our neighbors, and how we read and embrace Scripture.
The Creed and Scripture
It’s worth noting that the only time the Creed refers to the Holy Scriptures is in connection with Christ’s saving work. Rather than debating the Bible’s place, the Creed points us to read Scripture through the lens of what Jesus has done, always keeping God’s loving purpose, “for us and for our salvation,” at the center.
Seen this way, reading the Bible becomes more than gathering information; it transforms into an encounter with God’s own love for us.
The Creed as a Rescue Song
The metaphor of the Creed as a “rescue song” is powerful. It’s not only a proclamation of who God is, but an expression of His loving heart toward us. God’s heartbeat is for us, for our sake, and for the forgiveness of our sins.
This is the true heart behind the Creed, making it much more than a set of words; it’s truly God’s love letter to humanity.
Getting Jesus Right
Bishop Alexander recognized how important it is to truly know Jesus. If we misunderstand who Jesus is, everything else in our faith can become unclear. Our worship and witness are rooted in seeing Jesus for who He really is, not just as part of the Holy Trinity, but as the One whose heart beats with love for creation.
The Creed helps us remember this by inviting us to confess our faith in the Savior who “for our sake, came down to save us.”
Conclusion
The Nicene Creed is more than ancient words—it is a living testimony to the love and purpose of God in Christ. When we start with “why,” we’re invited to embrace the Creed as more than doctrine: it becomes a song of rescue, a heartfelt love letter, and a joyful invitation to worship and bear witness.
The “four fours” remind us that everything Jesus did was for us, for our salvation, for our sake, and for the forgiveness of our sins.
Click below to listen to the full sermon. Fr. Christopher’s sermon encourages us to let the “why” of the Creed shape our lives, our worship, and our witness. The Creed grounds our faith in the saving work of Christ and extends an open invitation to meet Jesus as the Savior who came for each of us.
At its core, this is the essence of Christian faith—a journey that begins and ends with God’s love, made real in Jesus Christ “for us and for our salvation.”