Nicene Creed - Verse by verse - Part 4. The Church, Salvation, and Hope

The Nicene Creed concludes by turning from the work of God to the people of God. After confessing faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we now declare what it means to belong to the community that bears God’s name. The Church is not an afterthought in the story of salvation. It is the visible expression of God’s plan to gather His people into one body through Christ and by the Spirit.

When we say, “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen,” we are not merely reciting institutional loyalty. We are confessing faith in the living body of Christ that spans centuries and continents. This part of the Creed reminds us that faith is never a private possession. To believe in Christ is to belong to His Church and to live in hope of His coming kingdom.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church	Ephesians 4:4–6  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”The Church is one because it is united in one Spirit, one faith, and one Lord. 1 Peter 2:9  “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.”The Church is holy because it belongs to God and is set apart for His purpose. Matthew 28:19–20  “Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”The Church is catholic (universal) and apostolic, grounded in the teaching and mission of the apostles and called to reach all nations.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins	Acts 2:38  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”Peter connects baptism directly with repentance and the promise of forgiveness. Ephesians 4:5  “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”Baptism unites all believers in one shared confession of faith. Titus 3:5  “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”Baptism symbolizes and enacts the inward work of salvation and renewal by the Spirit.
We look for the resurrection of the dead	John 11:25–26  “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’”Christ is the source of resurrection life for all who believe in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:52  “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”Paul affirms the future bodily resurrection as the hope of all believers. Daniel 12:2  “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”The Old Testament also points to a physical resurrection and final judgment.
And the life of the world to come	Revelation 21:1–4  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”The promise of a renewed creation is the ultimate hope of believers. God’s presence will restore all things and end all suffering. John 14:2–3  “My Father’s house has many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.”Jesus assures His followers of eternal life with Him in the Father’s presence. 2 Peter 3:13  “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”The world to come will be defined by righteousness, peace, and the eternal reign of God. Romans 8:18–21  “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay.”All creation will be renewed. The future life is not escape from the world but its complete restoration through Christ.

One Church

The Creed begins this section with the word “one.” In a world divided by geography, culture, and denomination, this is a bold statement. The oneness of the Church does not come from human agreement but from the unity of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:4–6 says, “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”

This unity is spiritual, not institutional. It does not mean that all Christians must look the same or worship in the same way. It means that beneath all differences lies one faith, one Savior, and one mission. True unity is not achieved by ignoring differences but by centering everything on Jesus Christ.

The Creed also reminds us that unity is not optional. Division among Christians weakens the witness of the gospel. When believers live in reconciliation and humility, they reflect the oneness of the God they worship. Jesus prayed in John 17 that His followers would be one so that the world might believe. Our unity is part of our mission.

Holy Church

The Church is holy not because its members are perfect but because it belongs to God. The word “holy” means “set apart.” The Church is called out of the world to live differently, to reflect God’s character, and to pursue righteousness.

First Peter 2:9 describes the Church as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” Holiness is not an optional extra for the especially devoted; it is the calling of every believer. Yet this holiness is always a gift before it is a command. We are made holy through the saving work of Christ and the indwelling of the Spirit.

To say “we believe in a holy Church” is not to deny our failures but to trust in God’s power to sanctify His people. Every generation of Christians has wrestled with sin and weakness within the Church, but holiness remains God’s purpose. The Church is a work in progress, a community being purified for the day when Christ presents her to Himself “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27).

Catholic Church

The word “catholic” often confuses modern readers because it is commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church. In the Creed, however, “catholic” simply means “universal.” It describes the Church’s fullness and global reach. The Church is not a local sect or cultural group; it is the worldwide family of believers who confess Jesus as Lord.

From the earliest days, the gospel was never meant to stay within one nation or people. Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples of all nations. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of the Church’s destiny: people from every tribe and tongue standing before the throne of God.

The catholicity of the Church reminds us that no congregation or denomination possesses the whole of God’s truth or mission. We are part of something far greater than ourselves. Every time we pray or worship, we join our voices with believers across continents and centuries. To confess the Church as “catholic” is to reject narrowness and to embrace the richness of the global body of Christ.

Apostolic Church

The final mark of the Church in the Creed is “apostolic.” This means that the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles and their teaching. Ephesians 2:20 describes the Church as “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.”

The word “apostolic” also carries a sense of mission. The apostles were sent out by Christ, and the Church continues their mission. To be apostolic is to be faithful to the gospel they proclaimed and to carry that message to the ends of the earth. The Church is not free to invent its own message or redefine its faith. It stands under the authority of Scripture and the witness of those first messengers of Christ.

In every age, the Church must guard against drifting away from apostolic truth. Cultural trends, political pressures, and personal opinions can all distort the gospel. The apostolic faith anchors us in what is true, reminding us that the good news of Jesus Christ is unchanging and eternal.

One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins

The Creed moves from describing the Church to describing the means by which people enter it—baptism. “One baptism” refers not to a particular method or ceremony but to the spiritual reality it represents: union with Christ and cleansing from sin.

Baptism is a visible sign of an invisible grace. It declares that our old life has died and our new life has begun in Christ. Acts 2:38 records Peter’s call: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Baptism unites believers into the one body of Christ, reminding us that forgiveness is not achieved through human effort but through the mercy of God.

This line also underscores the unity of the Church. There are not many baptisms, just as there are not many Lords or faiths. The outward expressions may differ across traditions, but the inward reality is one and the same—the saving grace of God in Christ applied by the Holy Spirit.

We Look for the Resurrection of the Dead

The Creed ends by turning our eyes toward the future. Christianity is not a nostalgic faith but a hopeful one. Our story does not end with death. We look forward to the resurrection, when Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and creation will be renewed.

This hope rests on the resurrection of Jesus Himself. Because He lives, we too will live. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits” of those who belong to Him. Our resurrection will follow His. This hope gives meaning to suffering and strength in the face of death.

For Christians, resurrection is not simply the continuation of life but the transformation of it. Our bodies will be made new, free from decay and sin. The promise of resurrection assures us that nothing done in faith is wasted. Every act of love, every moment of obedience, every tear shed in faith will find its fulfillment in the new creation.

And the Life of the World to Come

The Creed concludes with one final confession: “and the life of the world to come.” These words lift our eyes beyond the present moment to the eternal future that God has prepared. Revelation 21 describes a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with His people, wiping away every tear.

This is not escapism but fulfillment. The life of the world to come is not an abstract afterlife but the renewal of all things. Heaven and earth will be united under Christ’s rule, and God’s will shall be done perfectly and forever. The Christian hope is not merely that souls go to heaven, but that creation itself will be restored to glory.

Living in light of this hope changes how we live now. It calls us to faithfulness, compassion, and courage. Every time we pray “Thy kingdom come,” we are aligning our hearts with this final vision of renewal and peace.

Conclusion

The final section of the Nicene Creed gathers up everything that came before and applies it to the life of the believer. The God who creates, redeems, and gives life calls us into a holy community, forgives our sins, and gives us a future. The Church exists not to preserve an institution but to witness to this great hope until Christ returns.

When we say these words together—“We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church…”—we are reaffirming our place in God’s story. We are not isolated individuals trying to find meaning. We are part of a people, joined across time and space, called to reflect the love and truth of the Triune God.

The Creed ends as it began—with faith. “Amen” is our final word, not as a ritual ending but as an act of trust. It means “truly.” It means “so be it.” It is the response of a people who have heard the truth of God and rest their lives upon it.