Back to Creeds of the Fourth Century

Date 341
Council Antioch
CPG 8557
Greek Text Hahn, Bibliothek der Symbole und Glaubensregeln der Alten Kirche (Breslau: E. Morgenstern, 1897), 184-6.
Ancient Source Athanasius De Synodis, 23; Hilary, De Synodis, 29; Socrates HE 2.10.10-18

We believe, conformably to the evangelical and apostolic tradition, in one God, the Father Almighty, the framer, and maker, and provider of the universe, from whom are all things.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, only-begotten God (John 1:18), by whom are all things, who was begotten before all ages from the Father, God from God, whole from whole, sole from sole, perfect from perfect, King from King, Lord from Lord, Living Word, Living Wisdom, true Light, Way, Truth, Resurrection, Shepherd, Door, both unalterable and unchangeable; exact image of the godhead, essence, will, power and glory of the Father; the first born of every creature, who was in the beginning with God, God the Word, as it is written in the Gospel, ‘and the Word was God’ (John 1:1); by whom all things were made and in whom all things consist; who in the last days descended from above, and was born of a Virgin according to the Scriptures, and was made man, Mediator between God and man, and Apostle of our faith, and Prince of life, as He says, ‘I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me’ (John 6:38); who suffered for us and rose again on the third day, and ascended into heaven, and sat down on the right hand of the Father, and is coming again with glory and power to judge the living and the dead.

And in the Holy Ghost, who is given to those who believe for comfort, and sanctification, and initiation, as also our Lord Jesus Christ enjoined His disciples, saying, ‘Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost’ (Matthew 28:19); namely of a Father who is truly Father, and a Son who is truly Son, and of the Holy Ghost who is truly Holy Ghost, the names not being given without meaning or effect, but denoting accurately the peculiar subsistence, rank, and glory of each that is named, so that they are three in subsistence, and in agreement one.

Holding then this faith, and holding it in the presence of God and Christ, from beginning to end, we anathematize every heretical heterodoxy. And if any teaches, beside the sound and right faith of the Scriptures, that time, or season, or age, either is or has been before the generation of the Son, be he anathema. Or if anyone says, that the Son is a creature as one of the creatures, or an offspring as one of the offspring’s, or a work as one of the works, and not the aforesaid articles one after another, as the divine Scriptures have delivered, or if he teaches or preaches beside what we received, be he anathema. For all that has been delivered in the divine Scriptures whether by prophets or apostles, do we truly and reverently both believe and follow.

Translation from Athanasius, De Synodis 23 (NPNF2 vol. 4, p. 461)

Adapted by SMT

Last updated: 2-16-2012

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