Nicene Creed - Verse by verse - Part 2. The Son – The Redeemer

The heart of the Nicene Creed beats strongest in its second section, which focuses on Jesus Christ. While the Creed begins by confessing faith in one God, it quickly moves to the one Lord who reveals God’s heart and accomplishes His saving work. The Church’s confession of Jesus is not a side note but the very center of Christian faith. Everything depends on who He is and what He has done.

When early Christians declared these words, they were making a bold claim in a world filled with competing “lords.” The Roman emperor demanded worship as “lord,” but the Church insisted there was only one true Lord—Jesus Christ. The Creed affirms not only His divinity but also His humanity, His mission, and His victory. To believe in Jesus as Lord is to acknowledge that He alone is worthy of our worship, allegiance, and hope.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ	Philippians 2:11  “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”This declares the lordship of Jesus over all creation and aligns with the earliest Christian confession, “Jesus is Lord.” Acts 2:36  “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”Peter proclaims that the crucified and risen Jesus is both Messiah and divine Lord. Romans 10:9  “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”The title “Lord” carries divine authority. Salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord.
The only Son of God	John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”Jesus is uniquely God’s Son by nature, not by adoption or creation. Matthew 3:17  “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”At His baptism, the Father affirms Jesus’ divine Sonship publicly. Hebrews 1:5  “For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?”Christ’s Sonship is eternal and unique, placing Him above all created beings.
Eternally begotten of the Father	John 1:1–2  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”Jesus, the Word, is eternal. His relationship with the Father has no starting point. John 1:14  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”The eternal Word took on humanity but did not begin to exist at His incarnation. John 17:5  “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”Jesus speaks of His eternal existence and shared glory with the Father before creation.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God	John 8:12  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”Jesus is the divine light that reveals God’s truth and presence. Hebrews 1:3  “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”Jesus perfectly reflects and embodies the nature of God, just as light shines from light. John 10:30  “I and the Father are one.”Jesus is not a lesser deity but shares the same divine essence as the Father.
Begotten, not made	John 1:18  “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”Jesus is begotten in the sense of sharing the same divine nature as the Father, not created as a creature. Colossians 1:15–16  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created.”‘Firstborn’ here means preeminent, not first created. All things were made through Him, which means He cannot be a created being. Micah 5:2  “Out of you, Bethlehem, will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”This prophecy points to the eternal existence of the Messiah, showing that His being precedes creation.
Of one Being with the Father	John 10:30  “I and the Father are one.”Jesus declares unity of essence with the Father. They are distinct Persons but share the same divine nature. John 14:9  “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”Christ reveals the invisible God perfectly because He shares the Father’s very being. Hebrews 1:3  “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”The Son is not a copy or reflection but the full expression of the Father’s essence.
Through him all things were made	John 1:3  “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”Christ is the divine agent of creation, active before time began. Colossians 1:16  “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.”All creation finds its origin in Christ. This shows His power and divinity. 1 Corinthians 8:6  “There is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”Creation and redemption both flow through Christ’s eternal power.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven	John 6:38  “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”Jesus consciously descended from heaven for the purpose of fulfilling the Father’s saving plan. Philippians 2:6–7  “Though he was in very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.”The incarnation was a voluntary act of divine humility for our redemption. Luke 19:10  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Christ’s mission was explicitly salvific. He came from heaven to rescue humanity.
Was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary	Luke 1:35  “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.’”Jesus’ conception was a miraculous act of the Holy Spirit, showing that His origin was divine, not human. Matthew 1:20–23  “What is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit... They will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’”This confirms the virgin birth and identifies Jesus as God incarnate dwelling among His people. Galatians 4:4  “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.”Christ’s humanity was real and historical. He entered our world fully as man while remaining fully God.
And was made man	John 1:14  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”The eternal Word took on human nature and lived among His creation. Philippians 2:7–8  “He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.”Jesus’ incarnation involved true humanity, humility, and obedience to the point of death. Hebrews 2:17  “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.”Christ’s full humanity qualifies Him to represent us before God and to save us completely.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate	Mark 15:15  “Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.”The Creed roots Jesus’ death in history, under a known Roman governor, affirming its factual truth. Isaiah 53:5  “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.”Christ’s crucifixion fulfilled prophecy and accomplished substitutionary atonement for sin. 1 Peter 2:24  “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”Jesus’ suffering and death were for our salvation, not merely an example of love.
He suffered death and was buried	Luke 23:46–53  “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’... Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb cut in stone.”Jesus truly died and was laid in a tomb, confirming His real humanity and the reality of His death. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day.”Paul presents the death, burial, and resurrection as the heart of the gospel message. Romans 6:4  “We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life.”Jesus’ burial symbolizes the completeness of His death and the beginning of new life for believers.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures	1 Corinthians 15:3–4  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”Paul anchors the resurrection in prophecy and apostolic witness as the core of the gospel. Luke 24:6–7  “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you... that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled His own words and divine plan. Psalm 16:10  “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”This prophetic psalm is fulfilled in Christ’s resurrection, confirming His victory over death.
He ascended into heaven	Acts 1:9–11  “He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight... This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way.”The ascension is both literal and visible, marking the completion of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Luke 24:50–51  “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”The ascension shows Christ’s exaltation and ongoing priestly work in heaven. Ephesians 4:10  “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”Christ’s ascension signifies His authority over all creation and His presence everywhere by the Spirit.
And is seated at the right hand of the Father	Mark 16:19  “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.”Sitting at the right hand symbolizes authority, honour, and intercession. Hebrews 1:3  “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”Jesus’ seated position signifies that His redemptive work is complete. Romans 8:34  “Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us.”Christ’s present ministry is one of intercession for His people.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead	Matthew 25:31–32  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him.”The second coming will be visible and majestic, with Christ as Judge of all people. Acts 10:42  “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.”Judgment belongs to Christ alone, appointed by the Father. 2 Timothy 4:1  “Christ Jesus will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.”Paul reminds believers that Jesus’ return and judgment are certain and imminent.
And his kingdom will have no end	Luke 1:32–33  “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”Gabriel’s words to Mary echo God’s promise that Jesus’ reign is eternal and unshakable. Daniel 7:14  “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.”The vision of the Son of Man prophesies Christ’s eternal rule over all creation. Revelation 11:15  “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”At the end of time, every earthly power will yield to Christ’s everlasting dominion.

One Lord, Jesus Christ

The title “Lord” was one of the earliest confessions of the Church. In Greek, the word Kyrios was used for both “master” and “God.” When Christians called Jesus “Lord,” they were declaring Him equal with God. This was not a poetic way of saying He is important; it was a revolutionary statement that identified Him as the same Lord who revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush.

To call Jesus “Lord” is to surrender authority. It means that He is not one option among many but the ruler of our lives. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation is not simply belief in His existence; it is submission to His lordship.

The Creed immediately adds His human name, “Jesus,” and His title, “Christ.” “Jesus” means “The Lord saves,” revealing His mission of redemption. “Christ” means “Anointed One,” showing that He is the promised Messiah. These two names together affirm that the historical man Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son of God who fulfills every Old Testament promise.

The Only Son of God

The phrase “the only Son of God” declares Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father. Believers are children of God by grace, but Jesus is the Son by nature. He shares the same divine essence as the Father. John 1:14 tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

This truth counters both ancient heresies and modern confusion. Some early groups taught that Jesus was a created being, a kind of super-angel or demigod. Others said He was only human and that the “divine spirit” came upon Him later. The Nicene Creed rejects both errors. It insists that Jesus is fully God and fully man, eternal yet incarnate, the perfect mediator between heaven and earth.

In our time, this same truth still matters. Many people admire Jesus as a moral teacher, a prophet, or a revolutionary. But the Creed reminds us that He is more than an example. He is God Himself in human flesh, the one through whom all things were made and through whom salvation comes.

Eternally Begotten of the Father

This line can sound mysterious, but its meaning is vital. “Begotten” does not mean created. It means that the Son eternally shares the Father’s nature. There was never a time when the Son did not exist. Just as light and its radiance are inseparable, the Father and the Son are eternally one.

This wording was carefully chosen to defend the faith against the teachings of Arius, who claimed that “there was a time when the Son was not.” The Church, guided by Scripture, rejected this and proclaimed the eternal relationship within the Trinity. John 1:1 makes this clear: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

By confessing that the Son is eternally begotten, we affirm that the Father has always been Father and the Son has always been Son. God’s love and fellowship are not new; they are eternal. This means that love is not something God started doing when He made the world. It is part of His very nature. Creation and salvation are expressions of that eternal love overflowing to us.

God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God

These phrases build upon one another, leaving no room for misunderstanding. The Son is not a lesser god or a reflection of the Father’s glory. He is “God from God.” Just as light shines from light without division, the Son shines with the same divine nature as the Father.

This image of light is both poetic and precise. Light does not exist apart from its source, and yet it fully shares its nature. The Son radiates the Father’s glory without diminishing it. Hebrews 1:3 expresses it perfectly: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.”

For believers, this truth shapes how we see Jesus. When we look at Him, we see the Father. Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In Christ, the invisible God becomes visible. His words, actions, and compassion reveal the heart of the Almighty.

Begotten, Not Made; Of One Being with the Father

Here the Creed repeats and strengthens its claim. “Begotten, not made” emphasizes again that Jesus is not part of creation but its Creator. “Of one being with the Father” expresses the Greek word homoousios, meaning “of the same substance.” This was the word that divided the council at Nicaea, yet it became the cornerstone of orthodox belief.

To say that the Son is of one being with the Father means that they share the same divine essence. They are distinct persons but not separate gods. The Trinity is not a hierarchy of power but a unity of love and purpose. The Father creates through the Son in the Spirit, and the Son redeems us to bring us back to the Father. All of God’s actions flow from this perfect communion.

Through Him All Things Were Made

The Creed next moves from identity to activity. The eternal Son is not only divine in nature but also the agent of creation. John 1:3 states, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” Creation itself is Christ-centered. The stars, oceans, and galaxies exist through His power and for His glory.

This truth has profound implications. It means that the world is not random or meaningless. It is a world made by Christ and sustained by Him. It also means that redemption is not something foreign to creation. The same Lord who made the world has entered it to restore what was broken. Creation and salvation are two acts of the same divine love.

For Us and for Our Salvation He Came Down from Heaven

The section ends by shifting from eternity into history. The eternal Son of God entered time and space for our sake. The phrase “for us and for our salvation” is the heart of the gospel. God did not remain distant; He came near. Philippians 2:6–7 tells us that although Jesus was in very nature God, He “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.”

The phrase “He came down from heaven” does not describe a change of location but a change of condition. The eternal Son humbled Himself to take on human flesh. He did not cease to be God; He became man for our redemption. Every step of His life—from birth to cross—was a movement of love toward us.

This line reminds us that Christianity is not about humanity reaching up to God but about God coming down to us. The incarnation reveals God’s heart: He is willing to enter our world, share our pain, and bear our sin to bring us home.

Why This Matters Today

This section of the Creed answers the question that defines every human life: Who is Jesus? If He is only a teacher, we can admire Him. If He is only a prophet, we can respect Him. But if He is God, then we must worship Him.

To believe in Jesus as Lord is to center our entire existence around Him. It shapes our worship, our relationships, and our hope. It reminds us that salvation is not found in human effort but in divine grace. It tells us that history has a Lord who rules not from a throne of gold but from a cross of love.

Every time we recite this part of the Creed, we are doing more than recalling doctrine. We are proclaiming the gospel: that the eternal Son of God became man, lived among us, and came for our salvation. To confess “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ” is to rest our lives in the hands of the One who made us, redeemed us, and reigns forever.