The Nicene Creed has been a meaningful foundation for Christians throughout history, offering a united declaration of faith that connects believers across different communities. At its heart, the Creed helps us answer two important questions: “Who do you say that I am?” —a question Jesus asks each of us —and “Who do you say Jesus is?” —a question the world asks us as well.
When we reflect on these questions, the Creed becomes both a guiding prayer for worship and a witness to those around us. It gives us language to express our faith rooted in Scripture, while also helping us share hope and truth in today’s world.
Ultimately, the Nicene Creed shines as a symbol of unity for Christians everywhere, leading us to stand together in faith—even when our perspectives differ.
Disagreements among disciples are not a new phenomenon. Even in the earliest days of the church, believers found themselves wrestling with deep questions and differing perspectives.
One well-known example is the Filioque clause, a small, three-word addition to the Creed that sparked a major divide between Christians in the East and West.
The Western church added the phrase “and the Son” to affirm Christ’s full divinity, while the Eastern church preferred to keep the focus on the Holy Spirit’s origin from the Father alone. This difference of opinion contributed to the Great Schism of 1054, a separation that lasted until 1965.
Stories like this remind us how complex it can be to nurture unity in the church, and how important it is to hold space for different theological views, all while seeking to walk together in faith.
The Nicene Creed highlights four key characteristics of the Church: unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. These qualities offer believers helpful guidance, encouraging us to find common ground, honor our faith, and walk together with integrity even in the midst of differences.
Unity: The church is called to be one body, united in belief and purpose. This unity grows from our shared faith in one Lord, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. When we focus on what connects us, rather than what sets us apart, we nurture a spirit of belonging and togetherness in our community.
Holiness: The church is set apart for God’s special purpose, not because we’re perfect, but because we belong to Him and desire to follow His will. This calling encourages us to seek a close relationship with God, and to pursue lives of honesty and purity, both individually and as a community.
Catholicity: The church is universal, welcoming people from every culture, language, and tradition. This mark reminds us that the Christian faith is truly for everyone, no matter where they come from. It invites us to celebrate our differences as a reflection of God’s creation, encouraging believers to embrace diversity as a sign of God’s wide love for the world.
Apostolicity: The church stays deeply connected to the teachings of the apostles. This means faithfully living out the traditions and beliefs that have been cherished and passed down for generations, so that our community remains grounded in the original message of Jesus. As part of this legacy, we’re invited to be faithful witnesses, sharing the truth we’ve received with encouragement and grace.
The Holy Spirit nurtures unity within the church family. In John 20, we see Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit onto His disciples, empowering them to carry on His mission with renewed purpose and hope.
This gift of the Spirit is God’s way of healing our worship and strengthening our witness to the world, helping each of us move beyond the locked doors of fear or division. Where the Spirit is present, there is freedom, transformation, and a deeper ability to reflect God’s glory together.
As St. Paul reminds us in II Corinthians, the Spirit brings a new and even greater glory than the old covenant, filling believers with boldness and joyful freedom. Through the Spirit’s transforming power, the church can navigate disagreements with grace and continue to experience unity even in the midst of diversity.
In our world today, the Nicene Creed continues to offer wisdom to believers who encounter disagreements, whether about theology, culture, or the ways we worship. Its age-old truths encourage us to keep our focus on what matters most: the central tenets of our faith.
With the Creed as our foundation, we are reminded to approach one another with cooperation and mutual respect. By holding fast to our shared belief in one God, one Lord, and one Spirit, Christians are equipped to face differences with grace, finding unity without compromising the heart of their faith.
One of the great joys and ongoing challenges for the church today is learning to welcome diversity while remaining anchored in truth. The Nicene Creed helps us approach this journey with both conviction and kindness. It encourages us to see our differences in culture, language, and practice as reflections of God’s creative work, enriching our life together as the body of Christ.
At the same time, it calls us to remain faithful to the heart of the Gospel, grounded in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. When we hold these values side by side, we’re able to navigate disagreements with gentleness and humility, building a church community that is both wonderfully diverse and deeply united in purpose.
In closing, the Nicene Creed continues to be a helpful guide for Christians as we encounter differences of opinion. By highlighting unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity, the Creed gives us a sturdy and grace-filled foundation to stand upon.
This framework not only helps us uphold the core of our faith but also encourages us to appreciate the diversity within the Christian family.
As we face today’s challenges together, the wisdom of the Creed invites us to foster unity, cherish one another, and move forward with mutual respect, trusting that God will continue to unite and strengthen His people.
You can learn more about this topic by listening to the full sermon below.