The Private Creed of Arius. A.D. 328

The preceding Creed of Lucian seems to have already in view the rising heresy of Arius, Presbyter of Alexandria (d. 336), which kindled one of the greatest theological controversies, and became the occasion of the Nicene Council and Creed. We insert it, therefore, in this place, between Lucian and Eusebius, to show how far Arius agreed with the Catholic faith of that age. His peculiar tenets, however, which were condemned at Nicæa in 325, are skillfully avoided in this private confession. It is heretical not by what it says, but by what it omits. It was to pave the way for his restoration. It was laid before the Emperor Constantine, at his request, and is reported by Socrates, Hist. Eccl. Lib. I. cap. 26, and Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. Lib. II. cap. 27; see also Mansi, Conc. Tom. II. p. 1157, and Hahn, pp. 192 sq.

Pisteuomen eis hena Theon, We believe in one God, patera pantokratora; the Father Almighty;

Kai eis kurion Iesoun Christon, ton huion autou, And in the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son,

ton ex autou pro panton ton aionon gegennemenon, who was begotten of him before all ages, theon logon, the Divine Logos,

di hou ta panta egeneto, ta te en tois ouranois kai ta epi tes ges,

through whom all things were made, both those in the heavens and those on the earth;

ton katelthonta kai sarkothenta,

who came down and was made flesh;

kai pathonta,

and suffered;

kai anastanta,

and rose again;

kai anelthonta eis tous ouranous,

and ascended to the heavens;

kai palin erchomenon krinai zontas kai nekrous.

and shall come again to judge the quick and the dead.

Kai eis to hagion pneuma.

And in the Holy Ghost;

kai eis sarkos anastasin,

and in the resurrection of the flesh;

kai eis zoen tou mellontos aionos,

and in the life of the world to come;

kai eis basileian ouranon,

and in a kingdom of heaven;

kai eis mian katholiken ekklesian tou theou, ten apo peraton heos peraton.³⁰

and in one Catholic Church of God which extends to the ends of the earth.