From ReformedWord
This creed is named after Athanasius (293-373 A.D.), the champion of orthodoxy over against Arian attacks upon the doctrine of the Trinity. Although Athanasius did not write this creed and it is improperly named after him, the name persists because until the seventeenth century it was commonly ascribed to him. Another name for it is the Symbol Quicunque, this being its opening words in the Latin original. Its original author is unknown, but in its present form it probably does not date back farther than the sixth century. It is not from Greek Eastern, but from Latin Western origin, and is not recognized by the Greek Church today. Apart from the opening and closing sentences, this symbol consists of two parts, the first setting forth the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity (3-28), and the second dealing chiefly with the incarnation and the two natures doctrine(29-43). This Creed, though more explicit and advanced theologically than the Apostles' and the Nicene Creeds, cannot be said to possess the simplicity, spontaneity, and majesty of these. For centuries it has been the custom of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches to chant this Creed in public worship on certain solemn occasions.
- Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith;
- Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
- And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
- Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.
- For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.
- but the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty is co-eternal.
- Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.
- The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate.
- The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
- The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.
- And yet there are not three eternals, but one eternal;
- As also there are not three uncreates nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreate and one incomprehensible.
- So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty;
- And yet there are not three almighties, but one almighty.
- So the Father is God, the Son God, the Holy Spirit is God;
- And yet there are not three Gods, but one God.
- So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, the Holy Spirit Lord;
- And yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord.
- For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge each person by himself to be God and Lord;
- So we are forbidden by the catholic religion to say: There are three Gods or three Lords.
- The Father is from none, neither created nor begotten.
- The Son is of the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten.
- The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten but proceeding.
- So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
- And in this trinity none is afore, or after another, nothing is greater, or less than another,
- But the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal.
- So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.
- He therefore that will be saved must think of the Trinity.
- Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man.
- God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the world; and man of the substance of His mother, born in the world.
- Perfect God, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
- Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching of His manhood.
- Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ.
- One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by the taking up of the manhood into God;
- One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.
- For as reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ.
- Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead,
- He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty;
- From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
- At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies,
- And shall give account of their own works;
- And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting, and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
- This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.