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I BELIEVE. ORIGINS. Emperor Constantine and the Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea of 325 holding the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381. Symbolum. The purpose of a creed is to act as a yardstick of correct belief.
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ORIGINS Emperor Constantine and the Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea of 325 holding the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381
Symbolum • The purpose of a creed is to act as a yardstick of correct belief. • The creeds of Christianity have been drawn up at times of conflict about doctrine: acceptance or rejection of a creed served to distinguish believers and deniers of a particular doctrine or set of doctrines. • For that reason a creed was called in Greek a σύμβολον, a word that meant half of a broken object which, when placed together with the other half, verified the bearer's identity. • The Greek word passed through Latin "symbolum" into English "symbol", which only later took on the meaning of an outward sign of something
I rather than we… • This revised text begins with ‘ I believe’ • To assert our personal faith together with other believers • Each of us has to say our yes over and over again • Literal translation of the Latin CREDO
Visible and invisible • Makes this line more precise • Some things that are visible by nature are actually unseen • Your relatives who live in Lanarkshire are visible but unseen to you • We believe that God is the maker not only of things we cannot see • But also realities that are invisible: • Saints • Angels • These occupy our worship space!
Only Begotten Son • This connects more closely with the Gloria • Jesus did not just materialise as the Son of God • But we also believe that he was not a created • He we intentionally begotten • His presence has always been part of the divine plan
Born of the Father before all ages • This phrase connects with the Gospel of John: • In the beginning was the word and the word was with God….. • We use this phrase in the hymns of the Christmas liturgy • Jesus dwelt with the Father before time began • This points towards the full identity of Jesus • He was, he is and he will be……
Consubstantial • Replaces the expression: of one Being • It describes the relationship of Jesus with the Father • This word is closer to the Latin • Consubstantialem • The question of how Jesus relates to the Father is important • Same substance as • Jesus in not like anything else or anyone else
Was incarnate • This is more directly linked to the Latin… • Incarnatus est • Links with Johns Gospel • My flesh is real flesh • My blood is real blood • Jesus didn’t take on the appearance of being human • He is fully human
Adored • This sticks more closely to the Latin • And is translated in this way throughout the Missal • Connects with Qui cum patre er filio simul adoratur • Our doctrine of the Trinity….
I confess • This replace ‘we acknowledge’ is more direct in expressions • Corresponds to the Latin Confiteor • Means in this context to profess belief in…. • Involves head and heart
I look forward to the resurrection • A clear translation of the Latin • Resounds with confidence • We are a people of hope • An Easter people
Prayer and Statement • We echo what Catholics have prayed through all the centuries • We become part of a chain of believers • Praying this is like a catechetical review – it reminds us of the basics of our faith • Role of the Father as Creator • What we believe in Jesus • His role in the Trinity • Role of the Holy Spirit • The place of the Church • Belief in everlasting life