Do you know what began on May 20 of the year 325?

In 325 Constantinople, modern day Instanbul, was seething with discussion.  The buzz in the city was not about a sports team or about an election.  People were talking about the doctrine of the Trinity.  One church leader said, if in this city you ask someone for change, he will discuss with you whether God the Son is begotten or unbegotten.  If you ask about the quality of the bread, you will receive the answer that ‘God the Father is greater, God the Son is less. . .”

So Constantine called a council of the Church in what is now modern day Turkey.  The Church leaders began to study the issues and in a relatively short period of time they worked out the Nicean Creed and the doctrine of the Trinity.  The debate was far from over.  And, it continued over the years.  But, because of Athanasius and other great leaders, the doctrine of the Trinity was summarized in a way that continues to serve the church now nearly 1700 years later.

So what is the doctrine of the Trinity?  We can summarize it with two statements.  (1) God is one in essence or being.  (2) God is three persons.

Wayne Grudem wrote.  “We may define the doctrine of the Trinity as follows: God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.”

The next time you hear some careless remark that the doctrine of the Trinity just developed out of political pressure, go out the web and google the phrase, “Nicene Creed.”  Then time to read one of the greatest theological summaries in church history.  It is a magnificent statement written in 325 that summarizes the bounds of what all Christians must believe about our Triune God.

THE NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.