Common Worship texts

    Creeds and Authorized Affirmations of Faith
     
  Creeds
     
    At a celebration of Holy Communion, the Apostles' Creed or the Athanasian Creed in an authorized form may be used in place of the Nicene Creed, or an authorized Affirmation of Faith may be used. Suitable words of introduction or conclusion (such as 'Let us declare our faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit') to the Creed or Affirmation of Faith may be used.
     
    The Nicene Creed  
     
    The text of the Nicene Creed is printed in the Orders for the Celebration of Holy Communion (Order One or Order One in Traditional Language;
Order Two or Order Two in Contemporary Language)
     
    The Nicene Creed may be used responsively as follows
     
    We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
All
   maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is,
    seen and unseen.
     
    We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
All
   God from God, Light from Light
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father.
All
   Through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
    was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
    and was made man.
All
   For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
    he suffered death and was buried.
    On the third day he rose again
    in accordance with the Scriptures;
All
   he ascended into heaven
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
    and his kingdom will have no end.
     
    We believe in the Holy Spirit,
All
   the Lord, the giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
All
   With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
    He has spoken through the prophets.
All
   We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
All
   We look for the resurrection of the dead,
    and the life of the world to come.  Amen.
     
    An Alternative Text of the Nicene Creed  
     
    This text of the Nicene Creed, which omits the phrase 'and the Son' in the third paragraph, may be used on suitable ecumenical occasions
     
All
   We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is,
    seen and unseen.
     
    We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father;
    through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
    was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
    and was made man.
    For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
    he suffered death and was buried.
    On the third day he rose again
    in accordance with the Scriptures;
    he ascended into heaven
    and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
    and his kingdom will have no end.
     
    We believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the Lord, the giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father,
    who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
    who has spoken through the prophets.
    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
    We look for the resurrection of the dead,
    and the life of the world to come.
    Amen.
     
    The Apostles' Creed  
     
    The origin of the Apostles' Creed is the profession of faith made at baptism. This association may have implications for the occasion when it is used at Holy Communion.
     
All
   I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
     
    I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again;
    he ascended into heaven,
    he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
     
    I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. 
    Amen.
     
    (or)
     
All
   I believe in God the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth:
     
    And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
     
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. 
    Amen.
     
    The Apostles' Creed may also be used in the following form
     
    Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
All
   I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
     
    Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All
   I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again;
    he ascended into heaven,
    he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
     
    Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
All
   I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. 
Amen.
     
    The Athanasian Creed  
     
    The authorized form of the Athanasian Creed is that contained in The Book of Common Prayer.
     
     
  Authorized Affirmations of Faith
     
    In addition to the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed and the Athanasian Creed, the following forms of the Creeds and these Affirmations of Faith are also authorized.
     
    1
     
    Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
    source of all being and life,
    the one for whom we exist?
All
   We believe and trust in him.
     
    Do you believe and trust in God the Son,   
    who took our human nature,
    died for us and rose again?
All
   We believe and trust in him.
     
    Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
    who gives life to the people of God
    and makes Christ known in the world?
All
   We believe and trust in him.
     
    This is the faith of the Church.
All
   This is our faith.
    We believe and trust in one God,
    Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
Amen.
     
    2
     
    We proclaim the Church's faith in Jesus Christ.
     
All
   We believe and declare that our Lord Jesus Christ,
    the Son of God, is both divine and human.
     
    God, of the being of the Father,
    the only Son from before time began;
    human from the being of his mother, born in the world;
All
   fully God and fully human;
    human in both mind and body.
     
    As God he is equal to the Father,
    as human he is less than the Father.
All
   Although he is both divine and human
    he is not two beings but one Christ.
     
    One, not by turning God into flesh,
    but by taking humanity into God;
All
   truly one, not by mixing humanity with Godhead,
    but by being one person.
     
    For as mind and body form one human being
    so the one Christ is both divine and human.
All
   The Word became flesh and lived among us;
    we have seen his glory,
    the glory of the only Son from the Father,
    full of grace and truth.   
   
from the Athanasian Creed
     
    3
     
All
   We believe in God the Father,
    God almighty, by whose plan
    earth and heaven sprang to being,
    all created things began.
    We believe in Christ the Saviour,
    Son of God in human frame,
    virgin-born, the child of Mary
    upon whom the Spirit came.
     
    Christ, who on the cross forsaken,
    like a lamb to slaughter led,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    he descended to the dead.
    We believe in Jesus risen,
    heaven's king to rule and reign,
    to the Father's side ascended
    till as judge he comes again.
     
    We believe in God the Spirit;
    in one Church, below, above:
    saints of God in one communion,
    one in holiness and love.
    So by faith, our sins forgiven,
    Christ our Saviour, Lord and friend,
    we shall rise with him in glory
    to the life that knows no end.
     
    (May be sung to any 87 87 or 87 87D tune.)
     
    4
     
    Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
     
All
   Though he was divine,
    he did not cling to equality with God,
    but made himself nothing.
    Taking the form of a slave,
    he was born in human likeness.
    He humbled himself
    and was obedient to death,
    even the death of the cross.
    Therefore God has raised him on high,
    and given him the name above every name:
    that at the name of Jesus
    every knee should bow,
    and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.          
   
Amen.
   
cf Philippians 2.6-11
     
    5
     
    Let us declare our faith
    in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
     
All
   Christ died for our sins
    in accordance with the Scriptures;
    he was buried;
    he was raised to life on the third day
    in accordance with the Scriptures;
    afterwards he appeared to his followers,
    and to all the apostles:
    this we have received,
    and this we believe. 
   
Amen.
   
cf 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
     
    6          
     
    We say together in faith
     
All
   Holy, holy, holy
    is the Lord God almighty,
    who was, and is, and is to come.
     
    We believe in God the Father,
    who created all things:
All
   for by his will they were created
    and have their being.
     
    We believe in God the Son,
    who was slain:
All
   for with his blood,
    he purchased us for God,
    from every tribe and language,
    from every people and nation.
     
    We believe in God the Holy Spirit:
All
   the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'
    Even so come, Lord Jesus!          
   
Amen.
   
cf Revelation 4.8,11; 5.9; 22.17,20
     
    7
     
    Let us declare our faith in God.
     
All
   We believe in God the Father,
    from whom every family
    in heaven and on earth is named.
     
    We believe in God the Son,
    who lives in our hearts through faith,
    and fills us with his love.
     
    We believe in God the Holy Spirit,
    who strengthens us
    with power from on high.
     
    We believe in one God;
    Father, Son and Holy Spirit.    
   
Amen.
   
cf Ephesians 3
     
     
  A Form for the Corporate Renewal
of Baptismal Vows
     
    when celebrated within a service other than Baptism or Confirmation
     
    Notes  
     
1
   This form should be used only when there has been due notice and proper preparation. It is recommended that it is used no more than once or twice in any one year. Suitable opportunities include Easter, Pentecost, the Baptism of Christ in Epiphany, and the inauguration of a new ministry.
     
2
   This form is a corporate affirmation for use within a service. When it is used it replaces the Creed or other Affirmation of Faith.
     
3
   Where it is customary for the assembly to be sprinkled with water from the font or to sign themselves with water from the font, this may take place immediately after the Profession of Faith or during a hymn, canticle or song at the conclusion of this form.
     
    A Corporate Renewal of Baptismal Vows  
     
    The president may use words of introduction to this part of the service.
     
    A large candle may be lit. The president may address the congregation as follows
     
    In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
    To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
    Therefore I ask:
     
    Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
All
   I reject them.
     
    Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
All
   I renounce them.
     
    Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
All
   I repent of them.
     
    Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
All
   I turn to Christ.
     
    Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
All
   I submit to Christ.
     
    Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
All
   I come to Christ.
     
    The president may say
     
    May almighty God who has given you the desire to follow Christ
    give you the strength to continue in the way.
       
    The Profession of Faith  
     
    The president addresses the congregation
     
    Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.
     
    Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
All
   I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
     
    Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All
   I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, died, and was buried;
    he descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again;
    he ascended into heaven,
    he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
     
    Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
All
   I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. 
    Amen.
     
    The president says
     
    Almighty God,
    we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
    with all who have been baptized into your name.
    Keep us faithful to our baptism,
    and so make us ready for that day
    when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
    our Saviour Jesus Christ.
All
   Amen.
     
    The president may use the Affirmation of Commitment (below).
     
    The president concludes the Renewal of Vows saying
     
    May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
    that you may be rooted and grounded in love
    and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  Affirmation of Commitment
     
    This Affirmation of Commitment may be used after an authorized Creed or Affirmation of Faith
     
    Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
    in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
All
   With the help of God, I will.
     
    Will you persevere in resisting evil and,
    whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
All
   With the help of God, I will.
     
    Will you proclaim by word and example
    the good news of God in Christ?
All
   With the help of God, I will.
     
    Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
    loving your neighbour as yourself?
All 
   With the help of God, I will.
     
    Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society,
    by prayer for the world and its leaders,
    by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
All
   With the help of God, I will.