Nicaea 1700: A celebration of churches old and new!
The Creed of Nicaea (the Nicene Creed) – a major statement of faith issued by the Early Church – is 1700 years old this year. Bishop Mike Royal explains its relevance for the Black Pentecostal Church
This year 2025 marks 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea met in AD325 to discuss the Person and nature of our Lord Jesus Christ and produce what is now known as the Nicene Creed.
A Divided World
Roman emperor Constantine’s empire was fractured and divided. To show up his empire, he called church leaders together at Nicaea in Turkey to discuss what the Church should believe about Jesus. While Constantine was keen to shore up his empire, church leaders were focused on preserving the truth about Jesus Christ.
High Stakes
It was a fractious gathering. Apparently, St Nicholas walked across the room and slapped a priest called Arius during a debate about the divinity of Jesus Christ!
The Original Nicene Creed
After weeks of deliberation, between May and July AD325, the Council came up with a statement which we now know as the Nicene Creed. It originally stated:
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten from the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, of one substance from the Father, through whom all things came into being, things in heaven and things on earth, who because of our salvation came down and became incarnate and became Man, and suffered and rose again on the third day, and ascended to the heavens, and will come to judge the living and the dead; and in the Holy Spirit. But as for those who say there was when He was not, and before being born He was not, and that He came into existence out of nothing, or who assert that the Son of God is of a different hypothesis or substance, or created, or is subject to alteration or change – these the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematises.
The Creed set out a clear understanding of the truth about Jesus Christ. It challenged two errors, namely that Christ was merely human rather than divine and that Christ was created and therefore not co-equal with the Father.
Nicene Creed Relevance Today
As a Black Pentecostal, what relevance does the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed have for us today?
Firstly, people of African descent made a huge contribution to the formation of early Christianity. African Theologian Harvey Kwiyani states: ‘Between the third and seventh centuries AD, thousands of committed followers of Christ in North Africa left their comfortable homes and villages to live in monastic communities in the desert of Upper Egypt. They would later be known as the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers.’ African leaders, like Athanasius who was a deacon at Nicaea in 325 AD and who became the Primate of Alexandria in 328 AD, were at the Council of Nicaea. Athanasius was an African, born in Egypt. The influence of the African Desert Fathers was there at the Council of Nicaea.
Christ-Centred Pentecostals
Secondly, the Christ-centred truth contained in the Nicene Creed is central to the truth Pentecostals hold to today. Finnish Theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen suggests that ‘at the centre of Pentecostal Theology is the idea of the “Full Gospel” which speaks of Christ in His various roles as Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer, Baptiser with the Spirit, and the soon-coming King. Therefore, Pentecostalism represents – differently from the assumptions of many outsiders – a unique Christocentric Spirit Movement.’ As the words of Albert Simpson’s old hymn reminds us: ‘Jesus only, Jesus ever, Jesus all in all we sing, Saviour, Sanctifier and Healer, Glorious Lord and coming King.’
Preaching from the Pulpit and Liturgy from the Pew
Thirdly, I would observe that the truth about Christ preached from many Pentecostal pulpits on a Sunday is the same truth declared from the pew when the Nicene Creed is recited in a Church of England liturgical service. Different traditions but the same truth.
From Nicaea to Azusa
Finally, what the Nicaea Council AD325 does for our understanding of the Person of Jesus Christ, the Azusa Street Revival (1906-1908) does for the Church’s experience of the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Revival, held in Los Angeles, was led by African American Pastor William Seymour. Christians, who attended the meetings at Azusa Street, took the Pentecostal message round the globe. Back to a verse in Albert Simpson’s hymn: ‘Jesus only is our power, He the gift of Pentecost, Jesus, breathe Thy pow’r upon us, Fill us with the Holy Ghost.’ Both moments are vitally important in Church history.
Conclusion
So, as Black Pentecostals, let’s join in with the celebration of Nicaea 1700. Its Christ-centred message is our heritage too!
Bishop Mike Royal
General Secretary of Churches Together in England and Regional Bishop for the Midlands Region of the Apostolic Pastoral Congress. Visit www.cte.org.uk
