Roman persecution of Christians officially ended when the
Edict of Milan was issued by the new emperor, Constantine in 313 A.D. This document stated that everyone had the
right to practice his own religion.
Without the threat of persecution, people began to propose
various theories as to who Christ really was.
Some believed that he was only divine because with a fleshly body he
would be inferior and less than perfect, however this idea created
difficulties. Others were certain that
Christ was merely a good human, who because of his great act of love to suffer
death on the cross to redeem humanity, so pleased God the Father that he was
raised up to be God's divine son as a reward.
Constantine agreed that something had to be done, and
supported the pope in sponsoring a general council of the universal bishops and
the pope. He hoped that its conclusions
would end not only the religious confusion, but also the associated political
unrest. The meeting was held in the
city of Nicaea in 325 A.D., and was called the Council of Nicaea. After much discussion, the bishops prepared
a statement of faith which identified that Christ, being a Divine Person with a
Divine Nature, also shared in our humanity through his Human Nature. Several years later, in 381 A.D., the
Council of Constantinople made other contributions to this Creed, all of which
were approved by the pope. To this day
this Nicene-Constantinople Creed is recited by Christians throughout the world
Terms to help understanding:
Divine Person - A supreme,
transcendent Being, able to direct itself by its intellect and will.
Divine Nature - Complete and
total perfection.
Human Person - Not only body and not only soul but the rational being
arising out of the substantial union
of both. (Not possessed by Christ since this was
overshadowed by his Divine Personhood).
Human Nature - A collection of cells, matter, which grows and has
particular characteristics and
activities.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from
true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came
down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin
Mary, and became man. For our sake he
was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in
fulfillment of 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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins. We look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Return to Index The Catholic Faith
Return to
Creeds Index
Top
Home
Page