Throughout the Sundays in July, we are exploring the Nicene Creed in a series of sermons as we celebrate that it has been a universal statement of our Christian belief for 1700 years. So far Canon Bill has given an introduction and background, Revd Lex spoke about the beginning with the focus on God the Father almighty, and Revd Becka last week, took us through the longest central part about ‘One Lord, Jesus Christ.’ 

‘We believe’ has been the title of the Church of England’s reflections and focus on The Creed and you can still access those via the Everyday Faith App or the We believe booklets.

Today, I’m going to look at the section that is about the Holy Spirit.

The Nicene Creed as a declaration of faith and love, is shared with all Christians and has threaded its ways through 1700 years of history. It’s not just words to be read off the page or recited by rote but as we profess it together, dances off the page and comes alive, shaping and forming us – our identity, our worship and the way we live out our faith, our witness in the world.

The Creed takes us into the identity of God as Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – a dynamic relationship of mutual love. So when we are made in God’s image – we too are made for relationship, for love.

We have already explored how Jesus, the Son, is equal with the Father – and how the Creed was formulated to lay out the full divinity of Christ, line after line. It mirrors the stunning hymn of praise of Jesus that we hear in the New Testament reading this morning as Paul pours out layer upon layer of glory – Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first born of creation – in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell – all things have been created for him and through him.

And when we come to the part of the Creed that begins:

‘We believe in the Holy Spirit – the Lord, the Giver of Life.’

We are brought back to the beginning of all things when all things were made. The Holy Spirit is not less than the Father or the Son – in fact is the very means of creation – the life force through which God creates all things – The Spirit – that moved upon the waters and the face of the deep, the breath of God the Creator, forming the heavens and the earth and bringing forth the wonders of all that is made.

The Spirit is also the breath of life that Jesus breathes on the disciples, the flames that dance upon their heads and the fire of love that rises in their hearts on the day of Pentecost. The power from on high that turns the terrified disciples into courageous apostles and sends them out into all the world to tell the story of new life and new beginnings and gave birth to the church. 

The Holy Spirit – the Giver of life.

The Spirit is characterized by this life giving power – wherever the Spirit is there is energy and activity –  things happen and the gifts of the Spirit bring life and renewal – love, joy, peace and guides and teaches us – the Spirit itself is gift and forms us in faith and helps us participate in God’s mission in the world.

The Creed goes on to say:

‘Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.’

Canon Bill mentioned that the western church had introduced a change in wording – and this is it. Known as the Filioque clause – from the Latin – means – ‘and from the Son’ and this phrase was a later addition to the Creed which originally had ‘Who proceeds from the Father’. It was rejected by the eastern orthodox churches and continues to be a cause of disagreement and disunity. It led to what is known as the Great Schism when the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church went their separate ways in 1054.

Its an irony and a deep cause of sadness that a statement of common and shared faith has ended up bringing a separation and division. 

But it is also a reminder of our need for the Holy Spirit to be at work among us – continually bringing us back together as one family of God – and working that transformation in us – as God makes his home within us by his Spirit and bringing the gifts of love, patience, forgiveness, humility and kindness. 

The Creed continues to make clear how significant the Holy Spirit is and the equality of the three persons in the Trinity:

‘Who with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified,’

It’s difficult to get our heads around these concepts – we often come closer to an understanding or a recognition of something through art illustrating, in fact, illuminating scripture. 

In the Old Testament reading today, we hear the story of Abraham and Sarah being visited by three strangers in the desert whom they welcome with generous hospitality offering rest and refreshment under the oaks of Mamre. The famous Rublev icon known both as The Holy Trinity and The Hospitality of Abraham is here in both our churches as part of our welcome notices and leaflets.  It’s a perfect illustration of the equality and mutual love that flows within the Trinity and of the openness of that relationship to others – all are welcomed into the generous love of God.

The Spirit is the one ‘Who has spoken through the Prophets.’

The Holy Spirit inspires the prophets – has set hearts and minds aflame throughout the centuries– speaking against the tide of the world’s opinion – standing up for truth – challenging injustice, speaking up on behalf of those whose voices are not heard….and enabling children, women and men to speak out as Prophets today calling us back to God and to oneness with each other.

‘We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.’

In our fragmented and polarized world and divided Church this statement might seem so far from how things really are – but it is a statement of intent as much as present reality.

We are called to be the body of Christ – in the one Spirit we are all baptized into the one body, we will say shortly – let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life.

The church is called to continue Christ’s work in the world and we are consecrated – made holy – for this high calling as apostles, those who are given the Spirit and are sent into the world.

The church is for all people, catholic as meaning universal – in every place and for everyone, in every time.

As we worship together each week, this is made real among us. Our liturgy is so much more than the words we say – it is the action of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist – Holy Communion – which draws us together in time and space and into oneness with God and each other. Like Mary, in today’s Gospel, we step aside from the busyness of our lives and the endless tasks, and come to sit at the feet of our Lord,  where for a while, the Spirit teaches us, delights us, blesses us and then sends us out re-affirmed in faith and love and made holy to be holy in the world.

Amen.

Service: Revd Michelle Dalliston 20th July 2025. (St John The Baptist Church Peterborough UK)

Reading: The Nicene Creed