Nicene Creed - Verse by verse - Part 1. The Father, The Creator

Every Christian confession begins with God. Before we speak of redemption, resurrection, or the Church, we begin by declaring who God is. The Nicene Creed opens with these simple yet profound words:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

This opening line forms the foundation of everything that follows. It is not merely a statement about the existence of God but a declaration about His nature and His relationship with creation. To believe these words is to stand in continuity with Israel’s confession of the one true God, to embrace the Father revealed by Jesus Christ, and to acknowledge His sovereign power over all things.

The early Christians lived in a world filled with competing gods and philosophies. To say "we believe in one God" was to draw a line in the sand. It was to reject polytheism, paganism, and every idol that claimed to rival the Creator. It was also to confess that the Father is not a distant deity but the loving source of all life, who has made Himself known through His Son and by His Spirit.

We believe in one God	Deuteronomy 6:4  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”This is the foundation of biblical monotheism. The Creed affirms Israel’s ancient confession that God is one, yet reveals that this one God exists in three Persons. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6  “There is no God but one... yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live.”Paul confirms that there is only one true God while showing how Jesus shares fully in that divine identity. Isaiah 45:5  “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.”This verse highlights the uniqueness of God as Creator and Redeemer. It protects the faith from idolatry or belief in many gods.
The Father, the Almighty	Matthew 6:9  “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”Jesus invites believers to call God “Father”, showing that His power is joined with intimacy and care. 2 Corinthians 6:18  “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”God’s fatherhood extends to His people in a covenant relationship. His might assures His protection. Revelation 1:8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega... who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”The title “Almighty” (Greek pantokratōr) expresses God’s absolute sovereignty over time, creation, and history.
Maker of heaven and earth	Genesis 1:1  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”Creation reveals God’s eternal power and purpose. He is separate from creation and brought all things into being from nothing. Psalm 146:6  “[He] made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.”God continues to sustain what He has made. His creative work is ongoing and life-giving. Acts 14:15  “Turn to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.”Paul points to creation as proof of the living God who alone is worthy of worship.
Of all that is, seen and unseen	Colossians 1:16  “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.”Both the physical and spiritual worlds, including angels and powers, were created by God through Christ. Nehemiah 9:6  “You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens and all their host, the earth and all that is on it.”Every realm of creation, visible and invisible, is under God’s authority. Hebrews 11:3  “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”Creation exists by the will and word of God. Nothing that exists is independent of Him.

The Father as the Beginning and Source

The Creed begins by naming God as “Father.” In the ancient world, the word “father” conveyed more than a biological relationship. It described the one from whom life and authority flow. By calling God “Father,” the Church affirms that He is the ultimate source of all creation and all being.

This confession is relational. God is not a distant creator who wound up the universe and walked away. He is a Father who loves, sustains, and provides for His creation. Scripture presents this truth repeatedly. In Ephesians 3:14–15, Paul writes, “I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” Everything that exists begins in Him.

For Christians, “Father” also has a deeper meaning because it points to the eternal relationship within the Trinity. God is eternally the Father of the Son. The Creed prepares us for this by reminding us that divine fatherhood is not created but eternal. Before the world began, the Father already loved the Son through the Spirit. Creation, then, is not the result of loneliness or need but of overflowing love.

One God in a World of Many

The phrase “We believe in one God” was radical in the fourth century, and it remains radical today. The ancient world was full of gods. People worshiped the sun, the sea, the emperor, and countless idols. To declare “one God” was a statement of defiance. It rejected all rival powers and proclaimed that the universe is ruled by a single, sovereign Lord.

This conviction flows directly from the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” The early Christians did not invent monotheism. They inherited it from Israel and found its fullness revealed in Jesus Christ.

In modern times, we no longer worship marble statues, but the temptation to divide our allegiance remains. Money, career, reputation, comfort, and technology can all become functional gods. The Creed challenges this idolatry. To say “one God” means that no other authority has the right to claim our worship or ultimate trust.

The Almighty: Power with Purpose

The next phrase, “the Almighty,” expresses God’s sovereignty and power. The Greek word used in the Creed, Pantokrator, means “the one who holds all things.” It describes not just raw power but power used wisely and lovingly.

In Revelation 1:8, God declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty.” He is the beginning and the end of history. Yet His power is not cold or oppressive. The same Almighty who created the stars also cares for the sparrow. The power of God is not domination but care.

For believers, this truth brings both humility and peace. We are not in control, and that is good news. God’s might means that nothing lies outside His reach. Even when the world feels chaotic, He remains the Lord of history, turning all things toward His purpose. As Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Maker of Heaven and Earth

Calling God the “maker of heaven and earth” connects faith to the physical world. Creation is not an accident or illusion; it is a deliberate act of divine will. Genesis 1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Every atom, mountain, river, and star exists because God spoke it into being.

The Creed reminds us that creation is good. In contrast to some ancient philosophies that saw the material world as corrupt or inferior, Christianity affirms that the physical world reflects God’s glory. Psalm 19 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.”

This confession also shapes how we treat creation. If the world is God’s handiwork, then it deserves our respect and stewardship. Caring for the earth is not a political statement; it is a theological one. When we care for creation, we honor the Creator.

Seen and Unseen

The final phrase of this section, “of all that is, seen and unseen,” expands our understanding of reality. The world we can see—the oceans, trees, and stars—is only part of creation. There is also an unseen realm of angels, spiritual forces, and the human soul. Colossians 1:16 teaches that all things were created by Christ, “visible and invisible.”

This line reminds us that materialism is too small a view of reality. Modern people often act as if only what can be measured is real. The Creed gently pushes back. It reminds us that God rules over both the physical and spiritual dimensions. There is more to existence than what we can observe. Prayer, worship, and the presence of the Spirit all testify to the unseen reality of God’s kingdom.

For believers, this awareness brings both comfort and responsibility. We are not alone in the universe. There is a spiritual dimension to life, and our actions have eternal consequences. Faith is not merely belief in what we can see; it is trust in the One who holds the seen and unseen together.

Why This Matters Today

This first section of the Creed answers the deepest questions of human existence. Who are we? Where did we come from? Why is there something rather than nothing? The Creed points us to the only satisfying answer: we exist because a loving Father made us.

In a world filled with uncertainty and competing voices, the Creed offers clarity. It anchors our identity in God’s character, not in human achievement or opinion. It calls us to worship the One who created everything and to live as His children, trusting His wisdom and care.

Every time we recite these words, we proclaim that the universe is not a meaningless accident. It is the work of a purposeful, loving God. The same Almighty who spoke the stars into being also knows our names, provides for our needs, and calls us into fellowship with Himself.

To believe in one God, the Father Almighty, is not just to agree with a statement—it is to align our lives with reality itself. It is to live in gratitude, humility, and wonder before the One who made all things and sustains them still.