The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed was created at the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in AD 325. It fought against the ideas of  Arianism.  It was expanded at the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople in AD 381 to balance its coverage of the Trinity by including the Holy Spirit. It is the only creed that was promulgated by any of the seven ecumenical councils and thus it is the only creed that is truly ecumenical and universal. In the Orthodox Church, it is the only creed. It is believed that the New Testament and the Nicene Creed are entwined with each other. The wording and the concepts in the Nicene Creed come from the New Testament—in fact, one of the most important debates at the Council of Nicea concerned whether it is proper to include a word in the Nicene Creed that does not occur in the New Testament. On the other hand, at the time that the Church issued the official canon of the New Testament, it customarily compared writings to the Nicene Creed to determine if they were orthodox. So you are correct if you say that the Nicene Creed proceeds from the New Testament, and you are correct if you say that the New Testament is certified by the Nicene Creed.

The Text of the Nicene Creed

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,
     of one Being with the Father.
     Through Him all things were made.
     For us and for our salvation
          He came down from heaven:
     by the power of the Holy Spirit
          He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
          and was made man.
     For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
     He suffered death and was buried.
     On the third day He rose again
          in accordance with 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.*
     With the Father and the Son He is worshiped 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.
*Roman Catholics and Protestants add ‘and the Son’ at this point.

Christian Raves

I know I am suppose to write about something else so forgive me.  I will get back to it another time
I have 2 kids that love raves.  Music, jumping, light shows, and high tech clothing with lights and such. I think about King David leaping and dancing before the LORD and dancing with all his might (read 2 Samuel 6 about how David ). I think a mistake is being corrected with these functions such as the fun of being young, paired with the love of God and a great teaching tool to keep the young connected to God and his awesome presents.  I think it is cool.  Who says everything have to be a pious sterile atmosphere.  Don't get me wrong I love church and all its many complexities but why not allow them to be as they are young.  I love pray nights and bible study I mean that is my thing.  Love Sunday fellowships, worship  and encouraging one another.  I love to study the history of the texts, scripture and first Christians.  I can get lost in the study of this stuff.  People come to the knowledge of God in may ways and from all walks of life. They come to the knowledge of Christ our Lord and Savior.  Who  was “in the beginning with the Father, and is the Firstborn son. 



I like this scripture because it characterize a child's actions and thought development  (although is is about how we develop and come into the awareness of Gods Knowledge)
 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 Corinthians 13:10-12

¹⁰but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
 ¹¹When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
 ¹²For now we ^(A)see in a mirror dimly, but then ^(B)face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also ^(C)have been fully known.
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