Nicene Creed vs Apostles Creed
Creed refers to a statement of faith that is used in Sunday service, in Church. There are the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed that reflect the basic beliefs of Christianity. The two creeds are almost identical, and it is hard to point out any meaningful differences. However, there is no denying the fact that there are differences in words and the Nicene Creed happens to be longer than the Apostles Creed. Let us find out the differences between these two creeds that affirm the faith of Christians in Jesus Christ who died for us, and redeems and sanctifies us.
Nicene Creed
After the death of Christ, the Church was forced into seclusion and secrecy, and this gave way to disputes regarding the exalted status of Jesus. In the year 312, Constantine gained control of the Empire of Rome and sought to elevate the faith of Christianity to unify various factions. He convened a mega council in Nicaea in the year 325 AD. The Nicene Creed that we know today is a result of this council. This creed got further modified at another council that took place in 381 AD, in Constantinople. This modification was pertaining to a small description of the Holy Spirit.
Apostles Creed
According to a legend, Apostles Creed was written and handed down to us by Apostles themselves. The apostles were originally 12 in number, and there are 12 articles of faith in this creed that was coined by St. Ambrose in the end of 4th century AD. Apostles Creed is a statement of belief that was preached and baptized by the disciples of Jesus to the early converts. Christians used to tell others about this creed when they wanted to describe their faith. This creed was also used at the church by Christians to affirm their faith with one another.
Summary
It is difficult to talk about differences between the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed, but there is truth in the fact that many controversies arose within the faith because of secrecy and seclusion such as whether Jesus was a God or a human or that God is one or both the father and the son. The Nicene Creed was a result of the council that was held to iron out differences in opinions and to counter the controversies that surrounded Christian faith in the year 325 AD. Then concept of Holy Spirit was further added to this Creed later in the year 381 AD at another council held at Constantinople. This Nicen Creed clarifies that just because God begot a son in the name of Jesus does not make Jesus any less than the father. In the Nicene Creed, he has been described as God from God, Light from Light and being one with God. Why some churches profess one or the other creed may be because of tradition, but the fact is that Apostles creed is the simplest and the shortest of the three creeds. It also happens to be the most common statement of faith among Christians around the world.
It does not make a difference whether we profess Nicene Creed or the Apostles Creed as both are essentially the same and praise the Lord Jesus as being the son of god or god himself.