The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+
An Ante-Nicene Creed
It was the custom of the Early Christians to rehearse a short, concise statement of the basic tenets of the Christian faith during worship services and especially, during a baptism. This was to teach the untaught and to re-affirm to the consecrated follower of The LORD JESUS CHRIST the basics of Christianity. There are several very early ones, as each church district compiled their own. They were mildly diverse, yet each agreed with and complemented the others, before the Nicene Council, around 325 A.D. After the Council of Nicea, splits and divisions and issues of control entered into the once-unified Christian church. Our Order compiled this Creed from Christian Creeds written before the first Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. Much of it will sound familiar to you. We include this Creed in our Evening Prayer.
I believe in
One GOD The FATHER ALMIGHTY,
Maker of the Heavens and the earth and of all things
visible and invisible;
And in one LORD JESUS CHRIST,
And in one LORD JESUS CHRIST,
the Only-begotten SON of GOD,
begotten of His+ FATHER before all worlds.
GOD of GOD, LIGHT of LIGHT, Very GOD of Very GOD,
begotten, not made,
being of One Substance with The FATHER,
by WHOM+ all things were made.
WHO+, for us men and for our salvation,
WHO+, for us men and for our salvation,
came down from Heaven
through the Spirit and Power of GOD The FATHER,
descended into the Hebrew virgin, Mariam,
and was made man
and dwelt among us, full of Grace and Truth.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
HE+ suffered and was buried
and descended into the heart of the earth;
And the third day HE+ rose again, according to Scriptures,
And the third day HE+ rose again, according to Scriptures,
and ascended into Heaven
and sitteth at the Right Hand of GOD The FATHER ALMIGHTY.
And HE+ shall come again, with glory,
to judge both the living and the dead;
Whose Kingdom shall have no end.
And, I believe in
And, I believe in
the HOLY SPIRIT, The Paraclete, The Sanctifier,
sent by CHRIST from The FATHER,
WHO, with The FATHER and The SON together is worshipped and glorified;
WHO spake through the prophets.
And, I believe in
And, I believe in
One Holy and Apostolic Church,
out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation.
I acknowledge One baptism for the forgiveness of sins;
And, I look for
And, I look for
the resurrection of the dead,
and the Life of the world to come
through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD.
Amen.
