Athanasian Creed

Christians are “Trinitarians,” believing that God is three-in-one.  This belief is what makes us distinct from all the other religions in the world.  In 2 Corinthians 13:14, the Apostle Paul blessed the church with a distinctly Trinitarian benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Amen”

The doctrine of the Trinity came under attack from the heretical groups of Arianism, Gnosticism, and Docestism during the early church period.  Present day heresies include the Unitarianism and the “Jesus Only” or “Oneness” doctrines.

To defend against the attacks of Arianism, Gnosticism, and Docestism, the Athanasian Creed summarizes the doctrine of the Trinity.  It was written in the forth century.

“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 Ghost.  But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal.  Such as the Father is: such is the Son: and is the Holy Ghost.  The Father unlimited: the Son unlimited: and the Holy Ghost unlimited.  The Father eternal: the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal.  And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal.  As also there are not three uncreated: nor three infinites, but one uncreated: one infinite.  So likewise the Father is Almighty: the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty, And yet they are not three Almighties: but one Almighty.  So the Father is God: the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God.  So likewise the Father is Lord: the Son is Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord.  And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.  For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity: to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord: So we are forbidden to say,  there be three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none: neither created, nor begotten.  The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created: but begotten.  The Holy Ghost 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 Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.  And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another: none is greater, or less than another [there is nothing before, or after: nothing greater or less]”.  But the whole three Persons are coeternal and coequal.  So that in all things, as aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.  He therefore that will be saved, must think of the Trinity.”