I notice that we use both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. Why do we have more than one creed? Where do they come from?
As Lutherans we actually have three creeds. Currently, we rotate between the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed. The third creed is the Athanasian Creed, which is found in the LBW on page 54. We will use it on Trinity Sunday this year. All three are included in the Book of Concord as a part of the Lutheran confessions. Peace Lutheran and all NALC congregations hold them: “The North American Lutheran Church confesses … the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as true declarations of the faith of the Church.”
Each creed has a different origin and purpose. Let us begin with the Apostle’s creed. There is a pious tradition that the twelve apostles sat down on the day of Pentecost and wrote the creed. Supposedly each apostle wrote one line of the twelve lines. Few believe this. The actual history is more interesting. The earliest versions go back to the middle of the second century. The present text is that of the seventh or eighth century Western church.
The development of the Apostle’s Creed is closely tied to preparing individuals for baptism. In the early Christian church, as the need arose to instruct new converts in the essentials of the faith, the creed became a valuable tool for catechesis. Before being baptized, individuals would undergo a period of instruction known as catechesis. Catechumens, those preparing for baptism, would learn and recite the creed as a way to articulate their understanding and commitment to the core tenets of the Christian faith. You will see this connection at a baptism. (See page 123 of the LBW.)
In the Western church, the Apostles’ Creed is associated with baptism and instruction. For this reason Dr. Martin Luther uses the Apostles’ Creed as part of both the Small and the Large Catechisms. Further, when there is a baptism, the one being baptized, or a representative will confess the Apostles’ Creed.
The Nicene Creed is associated with Holy Communion and has a different purpose. This creed arose out of controversies over the person of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.
… to be continued…