"One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church"
"One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church"
The words (above) have been confessed by Christians since the fourth century AD. They are found in the middle of the third section of The Nicene Creed.
All four qualifiers (adjectives) of "Church," here, are important. . . . There is only "One" church, not many. Indeed, the Church Triumphant is one with the Church Militant (even today). There is not a "protestant" or a "Roman," or an "orthodox" church. Instead, there is only one church. For those who marvel at how many splinter groups there are, amongst (alleged) protestant or Roman communions--the real amazement is that there are not a thousand times more than there are. God knows His true church; and hypocrites and frauds seek refuge in their concocted "churches," designed to protect them from rightful excommunication in the faithful communions.
As well, Christ's true (one) church is "Holy." The authentic church is "holy" because her Head (Jesus Christ) is holy; and He makes all of His elect/regenerated members of His body holy. We are not holy in ourselves; we are holy in Jesus alone. Christians possess nothing good (of any sort) in isolation from Christ.
Next, the one holy church is also "Catholic." By "catholic," the original framers of The Nicene Creed were probably thinking in terms of distinguishing the "one" "holy" church, from the Donatist schism. But they probably had other ideas, as well--and these would include the fact that the "one" "holy" church was also all over the (at least Roman) world (at that time); and it is spread "all over the world" a lot more (in our time). In other words, being "catholic" meant that it was "universal." With our Reformation forebears, I am not inclined to call the Roman church "catholic"--since this distinction is far too grand, to limit it to the pope's communion. (Still, in saying that, I do not deny that some of God's actually-redeemed people are to be found in that group.)
"Apostolic" is the last designation given to the "one" "holy" "catholic" Church. By "apostolic" the Nicene fathers had in mind the teaching and New Testament Scriptures of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were not so much referring to their persons, as much as they were their doctrine. Still, in this sense, they are the "foundation" of our faith; with our Lord Jesus Christ Himself being the "chief cornerstone," (Eph. 2:20). . . .
If we are blessed enough to recite these words of The Nicene Creed in our local church congregations during the Sunday worship services, then it is quite good evidence that our communions are orthodox in their doctrine and theology; and that we are united to the one Christ, and His "one" "holy" "catholic" and "apostolic" church.
Do we need some (more) Scriptural support for this lovely phrase found in The Nicene Creed? If so, here is some. . . . With regard to the church being "one," check out Jn. 10:16 and Eph. 4:4-6. Pertaining to the fact that the church is "holy," take note of 1 Cor. 3:17. Touching on the church's "catholicity," Col. 1:3-8 is a good reference. Finally, the "apostolic" nature of the true church is communicated by the words of our Lord Jesus, to Peter, found in Matt. 16:18.
This precious line of The Nicene Creed is one that comforts the regenerated saints of Christ's church; and we should appreciate it with all our hearts. The Apostle Paul knew the value of this kind of instruction; and he demonstrated it with these words, (taken from 2 Tim. 2:19): "But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity,' " (ESV).
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #65
17 January 2026
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