During the first few centuries anno Domini, various creeds were used in various places as statements of Christian faith. Of these, three are still in use today: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. Of these, the second is probably most-used, and has also been the source of the most controversy.

The Nicene Creed, or more properly the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, was promulgated at Ecumenical Councils in Nicea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381). It is the most concise—yet complete—statement of orthodox Christian faith, and acceptance of its precepts is generally considered to prerequisite for being a "Christian."

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages: light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried, and the third day he rose again, in fulfillment of the Scriptures. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.

And in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sin. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."

Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and some other Christians (notably, not the Eastern Orthodox) who use this creed generally insert "and the Son"—filioque in Latin—after the clause "who proceeds from the Father." This phrasing, however, was not that promulgated by the Councils; it was inserted several centuries later by a local council in Spain, later spreading to the rest of western Christendom.