|
|
|
Introduction
This
creed is attributed to Athanasius, a fourth century bishop of Alexandria,
in northern Africa. Athanasius was the strongest defender of the
doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. This creed
systematically defines the doctrines of the Trinity and the nature of
Christ.
The Creed of Athanasius
We
worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity, neither confounding the
persons nor dividing the substance. For the person of the Father is one;
of the Son, another; of the Holy Spirit, another. But the divinity of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one, the glory equal, the
majesty equal. Such as is the Father, such also is the Son, and such the
Holy Spirit.
The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, the Holy Spirit is
uncreated. The Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, the Holy Spirit is
infinite. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is
eternal. And yet there are not three eternal Beings, but one eternal
Being. So also there are not three uncreated Beings, nor three infinite
Beings, but one uncreated and one infinite Being.
In like manner, the Father is omnipotent, the Son is omnipotent, and the
Holy Spirit is omnipotent. And yet there are not three omnipotent Beings,
but one omnipotent Being. Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the
Holy Spirit is God. And yet there are not three Gods, but one God only.
The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. And yet
there are not three Lords, but one Lord only.
For as we are compelled by Christian truth to confess each person
distinctively to be both God and Lord, we are prohibited by the Catholic
religion to say there are three Gods or Lords. The Father is made by none,
nor created, nor begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, not made, not
created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is not created by the Father and
the Son, nor begotten, but proceeds. Therefore, there is one Father, not
three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy
Spirits.
And in this Trinity there is nothing prior or posterior, nothing greater
or less, but all three persons are coeternal and coequal to themselves. So
that through all, as was said above, both unity in trinity and trinity in
unity is to be adored. Whoever would be saved, let him thus think
concerning the Trinity.
Back
Spread-the-Word Ministries
|