Lesson 2: Apostles and Nicene Creed

Disciple

anyone who follows Jesus, learns from Him, and lives according to His teachings.

Discipulus

Latin for “student” or “learner.”

Apostle

a chosen messenger, officially sent out by Jesus to preach, teach, and spread the Gospel.

Apostolos

Greek for “one who is sent.”

Remember This!

All Apostles are Disciples, but not all Disciples are Apostles.

Creed

summary of the essential beliefs of the Christian faith.

What do the Creeds answer?

• Who is God?

• Who is Jesus Christ?

• Who is the Holy Spirit?

• What do we believe about the Church?

• What is our hope for eternal life?

“I believe”

Apostles’ Creed. Professed personally by each believer, principally during Baptism.

“We believe”

Niceno-Constantinopolitan/Nicene Creed. Confessed by bishops assembled in council or by the liturgical assembly of believers.

Apostles Creed Origin

• One of the earliest and most basic summaries of Christian faith

• Developed from the ancient baptismal profession of faith

• Traditionally associated with the Apostles

• It was not actually written by the Twelve Apostles as a single document.

Nicene Creed Origin

• The Church needed to clarify the Christian faith.

• DEVELOPED: Council of Nicaea, 325AD

• FURTHER: Council of Constantinople, 381AD

Arianism

denied the full divinity of Christ.

Apostles Creed on Christ

What Christ Did (Major events of his life)

Nicene Creed on Christ

Who Christ is, especially in relation to the Father

The Holy Spirit

The Nicene Creed gives a more developed Trinitarian theology.

Belief About the Church

The Nicene creed emphasizes “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic

The Four Marks of the Church.

Baptism

The Nicene Creed describes Baptism as the forgiveness of sin, particularly Original Sin.

Nature of Apostles Creed

Simple and baptismal

Nature of Nicene Creed

Theological and doctrinal

The 12 Articles of Faith

summarize the core beliefs of the Catholic Church. Comes from the Apostles’ Creed.

Importance of the 12 Articles of Faith

• Serve as foundation of belief

• Unite all believers

• Guide in understanding God’s revelation

• Strengthen and protect our faith

• Guide Christian Life and Practice

• Part of our identity as Catholics

• Help us grow spiritually

God the Father

Article 1

Jesus Christ, the Son

Articles 2-7

Holy Spirit and the Church

Articles 8-12

Article 1

I Believe in God the Father Almighty.

God is the source and creator of all that exists.

Article 2

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord

Faith is centered on Jesus Christ.

Article 3

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is True God and True Man.

Article 4

Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified died and was buried. His suffering and death are central to salvation

Article 5

He descended into hell (the realm of the dead). He entered fully into human death.

Article 6

On the third day he rose again from the dead. Without the Resurrection, the proclamation loses its foundation.

Article 7

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. His earthly mission leads to his glory.

Article 8

I believe in the Holy Spirit. Christian life is lived through the Holy Spirit.

Article 9

The holy catholic church, the communion of Saints. Points to the unity among the faithful, the saints, and the purified souls.

Article 10

The forgiveness of Sins. God’s mercy is greater than sin.

Article 11

The resurrection of the body. The human person is destined for fullness of life with God.

Article 12

And life everlasting, Amen. Our final destiny is not death, but life with God.