The Apostles' Creed vs. the Nicene Creed: What's the Difference?

Two Creeds, One Faith

The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are the two most widely used creeds in Christian history. Both confess faith in the Trinity. Both affirm the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ. Both are used in Christian worship across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions.

So why are there two of them? And does it matter which one your church uses?

Different Origins, Different Purposes

The Apostles' Creed developed gradually from the baptismal instruction of the early church in Rome. It was never formally adopted by a council — it grew organically from the practice of asking baptismal candidates to confess their faith. Its purpose was personal and catechetical: a simple, memorable summary for new believers.

The Nicene Creed was the product of two ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. It was crafted in response to the Arian controversy, in which Arius argued that the Son of God was a created being, not coequal with the Father. Its purpose was doctrinal and polemical: to define the boundaries of orthodoxy.

What the Nicene Creed Adds

Because the Nicene Creed was written to combat Arianism, it is far more precise about the nature of Christ's divinity. The Apostles' Creed simply calls Jesus God's "only Son, our Lord." The Nicene Creed says:

"God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father."

The key phrase — "of one substance with the Father" (homoousios in Greek) — was the centerpiece of the Council of Nicaea. It says that the Son is not a lesser divine being or a created intermediary. He is the same substance as the Father — fully and equally divine.

The Nicene Creed also gives more attention to the Holy Spirit, affirming that the Spirit is "the Lord and Giver of life" and "who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified" — a response to later disputes about the Spirit's divinity.

What the Apostles' Creed Does Better

For all the Nicene Creed's theological precision, the Apostles' Creed has qualities that keep it indispensable:

Simplicity. The Apostles' Creed is shorter, plainer, and more memorable. It can be learned by a child and recited on a deathbed. Its language does not require philosophical training to understand.

Breadth. The Apostles' Creed includes several articles the Nicene Creed omits or reduces: the descent to the dead, the communion of saints, and the resurrection of the body stated plainly.

Personal form. "I believe" — not "we believe." The Apostles' Creed retains its baptismal character: a personal confession spoken by one voice before God and the church.

How the Two Creeds Work Together

The two creeds are not rivals — they are complementary. The Apostles' Creed gives the story; the Nicene Creed guards its meaning. One is the simple confession; the other is the theological definition. Most Christian traditions that use both regard the Nicene Creed as the more authoritative doctrinal standard and the Apostles' Creed as the more accessible personal confession.

If you want to know what Christians believe, read the Apostles' Creed. If you want to understand why they believe it with such precision about the Trinity, read the Nicene Creed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which creed is older — the Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed?

The Apostles' Creed in its essential form is older, with roots in baptismal practice going back to the 2nd century. However, the Nicene Creed was formally defined by councils (325 and 381 AD) before the Apostles' Creed reached its final written form (around 700 AD). Both are ancient; both predate the separation of Eastern and Western Christianity.

Do Orthodox Christians use the Apostles' Creed?

Eastern Orthodox churches primarily use the Nicene Creed (without the filioque clause added by the Western church). The Apostles' Creed is largely a Western document and is not part of the regular liturgical practice of the Eastern church, though it is recognized as a historic statement of faith.

What is the filioque controversy?

Filioque is Latin for "and from the Son." The Western church added this phrase to the Nicene Creed so that it reads the Spirit "proceeds from the Father and the Son." The Eastern church rejected this addition both theologically and procedurally. This dispute was one of the contributing factors to the Great Schism of 1054 AD and remains unresolved between Catholic and Orthodox Christianity.

Why does the Nicene Creed say "we believe" while the Apostles' Creed says "I believe"?

Because they served different purposes. The Nicene Creed was the product of church councils — bishops speaking on behalf of the whole church. The Apostles' Creed was a baptismal confession — a single candidate making a personal declaration of faith. The "we" of the Nicene Creed reflects its conciliar origin; the "I" of the Apostles' Creed reflects its catechetical and sacramental origin.