The second part of the Nicene Creed deals with the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, and thus expounds on Christology - the study of the person of Jesus Christ. As in the first part, I have broken down the Creed line by line, and placed a one or two word summary next to it of the doctrine that line expounds on.
THE NICENE CREED - Part 2 - Christology
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,- Deity of Christ
the only Son of God - Trinity - Son
eternally begotten of the Father, - Christ the Eternal Son
God from God, Light from Light - In Relation to the Father
true God from true God, - Fully God
begotten, not made, - Not Part of Creation
of one Being with the Father - One in Essence (Substance)
through him all things were made. - Word (Logos) Creation
For us and for our salvation - Salvation (Soterology) - Personal
he came down from heaven, - Descension From Heaven
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary - The Incarnation and The Virgin Birth
and became truly human. - Humanity of Christ
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate - Crucifixion - Historical
he suffered death and was buried. - Actual Death & Burial
On the third day he rose again - Resurrection
in accordance with the Scriptures; - Prophetic Fulfillment
he ascended into heaven - Ascension
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. - Authority and Lordship of Christ
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, - The Return of Christ - Final Judgment (Eschatology)
and his kingdom will have no end. - Kingdom of God
Again, in a few short succinct statements, the Nicene Creed sets forth the words and works of Jesus Christ, and covers the essential doctrines all orthodox churches assert about such matters as His deity and humanity, the virgin birth, His eternal nature, the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, His return, and the Final Judgment.
On to Part 3 (which focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit)
Back to Part 1
