The Nicene Creed

Together with Christians around the world, we confess:

We believe in one God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,
through whom all things were made.
Who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was crucified for us,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried,
and on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of the Father,
and 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 and Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come.
Amen.

How We Understand the Christian Faith, Grounded in God’s Word

On God

We believe in one God. He is not a distant force, but a personal God, perfect in every way. He exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—united in perfect love. Each is fully God, and yet God is one. We call this mystery the Trinity.

Biblical basis: Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; Matt 3:16–17

On Revelation

God makes Himself known to all people, in the created world and in human conscience. He made Himself known in a special way to Israel, His chosen people. He has shown Himself most clearly to us in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Biblical basis: Heb 1:1ff; John 1:18; John 14:9

On the Bible

We believe that the Bible is God’s word, written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Its center is Jesus Christ. It is our highest and trustworthy authority for both faith and life, and so we want to believe it, obey it, and trust what it promises.

Biblical basis: 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21

On Creation

God created the whole world and saw that it was good. He created man, male and female, in His own image and entrusted the earth to them to care for it. God continually sustains the world and leads it toward His purpose, yet man remains responsible for his choices.

Biblical basis: Ps 33:6; Col 1:16; Eph 1:4

On Sin

The first humans rebelled against God, and since then all of us are sinners, not only in our actions but also in our nature. Through unbelief, pride, and disobedience, we bring upon ourselves God’s judgment and death. Only what God has done for us in Jesus Christ can save us.

Biblical basis: Rom 5:12; Rom 3:23; Rom 6:23

On Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, truly God and truly man at the same time. He was born of the virgin Mary, lived without sin, died on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day. His death is a sacrifice in our place, and His resurrection is the only foundation of our salvation.

Biblical basis: John 1:14; Col 1:20–22; Phil 2:9–11

On the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He leads people to repentance and faith in Christ, gives them new life, and makes them children of God. He dwells in them, sanctifies them, teaches them, and gives them strength and gifts to serve others.

Biblical basis: Acts 2:33; John 16:8; Gal 5:22

On Salvation

By pure grace, God saves whoever turns to Him in repentance and faith. He forgives such a person and makes them His child. They receive new life already now, and the hope of full redemption in the resurrection.

Biblical basis: Rom 5:1ff; Gal 2:16; Acts 4:12

On the Church

The church is a community of people whom God has saved and united in Christ. It is one, holy, and open to all people. In practice, life in the church happens in the local congregation. The church is present wherever God’s word is proclaimed, the sacraments are celebrated, and believers help one another grow in their faith in God.

Biblical basis: Matt 16:18; Acts 2:42; Eph 4:15–16

On the Mission of the Church

The mission of the church is to worship God and to show His love to the world. We are to proclaim Christ, help those in need, stand against injustice, and care for the world God has entrusted to us.

Biblical basis: Matt 5:13ff; Matt 28:19ff

On the Last Things

We believe that Jesus Christ will return one day in power and glory. We do not know when this will happen, so we live watchfully. All will rise from the dead and be brought before God’s judgment. Whoever belongs to Christ will live forever in His presence, in a new heaven and a new earth.

Biblical basis: 1 Thess 1:10; Phil 3:20; 1 Cor 15:28