The Nicene Creed orginated at the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), and an expanded form was adopted by the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.). It was formulated to answer certain heresies (particularly Arianism) that denied the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and of the person of Christ. The form we affirm and use is that of the Western Church, which includes the Filioque clause stating that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by 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; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son;* who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets; and we believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;* and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and of the life of the world to come. Amen.
*The Filioque Clause: Along with the rest of the Western branch of Christendom, from which Protestantism comes, we affirm the teaching that the Holy Spirit proceeds (i.e., “is sent”) from both the Father and the Son. See the Gospel of John 14:26 and 15:26.
*By “catholic” we understand the meaning “universal” not “Roman Catholic.”
*By “one baptism for the remission of sins” we understand this as either a reference to spirit baptism or to the meaning that water baptism symbolizes the spiritual cleansing which comes by the blood of Christ alone and which is appropriated by faith alone. In short, we do not take this phrase to mean that water baptism saves the recipient. We deny the doctrine of baptismal regeneration and the belief that the sacraments act “ex opere operato” (i.e., “from the work performed”).