The Creed – Part 1

In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III gives a comprehensive explanation of the beginning of the Creed, clarifying its historical background in the Ecumenical Councils, the heresies faced by the Church, then explaining the first statement: “Truly we believe in one God.” He discusses the nature of faith, the oneness of God, God’s creation of the universe, and His relationship with all creation.

The lecture carries a strong spiritual depth, confirming the steadfastness of faith, the necessity of the Orthodox understanding, and that faith is not mere knowledge but a life that bears fruit.

🔸 First: Background of composing the Creed

• The Creed was first formulated at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD against the heresy of Arius who denied the divinity of Christ.

• The clause about the Holy Spirit was added at the Council of Constantinople against Macedonius who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

• The Fathers are proud that St. Athanasius the Apostolic, then a deacon, led its formulation.

🔸 Second: Contents of the Creed

• The Creed contains doctrines of: the Trinity and Unity, the Incarnation, Redemption, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, the Second Coming, the attributes of the Church, and the importance of Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

• Each statement is supported by clear biblical texts.

🔸 Third: The meaning of faith in Scripture

• Faith is confidence and certainty, not merely theoretical knowledge.

• Faith includes:
  – Belief in God’s existence and the unseen.
  – Belief in theological truths.
  – A working faith through love which bears fruit in one’s life.

• Warning against dead faith without deeds.

🔸 Fourth: “Truly we believe in one God”

• A clear declaration of God’s oneness against polytheism and against the idea of a god of good and a god of evil.

• Satan was originally an angel created by God and fell by his own will.

• Scripture affirms God’s oneness in both the Old and New Testaments.

🔸 Fifth: God the Father, the Pantocrator

• “Pantocrator” means He sees and rules over everything, yet He gave human beings and angels free will.

• Distinction is needed between God’s will and God’s permission regarding evil acts, all remaining under His power.

• God stops evil at the proper time to protect the world.

🔸 Sixth: God the Creator of heaven and earth

• Explanation of the first, second, and third heavens, and “the heaven of heavens” belonging to God alone.

• “Creator of the visible and invisible”: meaning all creation, visible and invisible, spiritual and physical.

• The Creator is one, and the Son created with the Father because He is “the divine Logos,” and the Holy Spirit gives life.

📌 Spiritual Summary

The Orthodox faith, as expressed in the Creed, is a living faith founded on God’s revelation, preserved in the Church through the Councils, uniting the believer to the true God, producing fruit, and guiding the soul toward trust in God the Creator and Sustainer of all.

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