What does it mean?
The phrase ‘for us men and for our salvation’ is in the first line of the Nicene Creed. The phrase means that Jesus Christ came to earth to bring salvation. According to the phrase, Christ did not come to save Christians alone, but all men. Christ suffered and died to make all people free. This phrase stresses the idea that Jesus Christ decided to take the human form and set human beings free. The phrase also shows that all men are sinners. The line explains why God sent His son to rescue man from sin and make him holy. We can study this phrase as a summary of the creed. It teaches Christians the importance of their faith and belief towards salvation and happiness (Baynes 29). It introduces the reader to the creed by narrating much about Christ and the role he plays in the Christian faith.
The phrase summarizes the dogma of salvation and faith. Since man has remained a sinner, Christ died to set him free. This phrase from the Nicene Creed summarizes the meaning of life on earth. It also gives salvation a new meaning (Geitz 21). It teaches Christians the meaning of a new life. It calls for repentance, acceptance of Christ as God’s son, and the need to become a holy creature. This phrase teaches Christians about the role of Jesus Christ and how he helped bring salvation to man. It is through Christ that we will see our Heavenly father.
This phrase talks about Christ, human salvation and repentance. Christ died to set all captives free. These teachings occur in the first four books in the New Testament. The authors of the creed derived the phrase from the teachings in the New Testament. According to Geitz (39), the phrase does not suggest that all people are important. Instead, it stresses the idea that God is merciful and loving. The words ‘for us men’ suggest that God’s love for man is great. God loves his people despite their wicked ways and sins. The phrase informs the reader that Christ is the only way to Heaven.
Why was it included?
The phrase ‘for us men and for our salvation’ is included in the creed as a way of opening the main thought to the reader. It therefore acts as the opening statement for the creed. The phrase introduces the subject to the audience by informing them about the love and grace of God (Geitz 38). This is the reason God sent his son to die for man. The reader observes that Christ came to save man and bring salvation upon him. The first line cannot be complete without this phrase. The inclusion of the phrase in the creed completes the message as intended.
The phrase supports all the other lines of the creed. It tells us much about Jesus Christ by explaining why he came to rescue man from his sins. The inclusion of the phrase therefore makes the creed complete. The phrase is also the ‘heart’ of this creed. The words ‘for us’ means that Jesus Christ became Human. God used this mystery as a way of bringing salvation to man (Johnson 140). The Bible states that Christ was in heaven but accepted to come to earth and assume a human form and save man for his sins. This mystery makes the creed meaningful to the reader.
It is notable that the phrase helps to complete the creed. It does this by explaining the reason why God sent his Son. This means that His exaltation, resurrection, and endless rule are an essential part of the present story (Johnson 138). Every believer understands that Jesus was therefore before he came to earth and is in heaven waiting for the judgment day. He will return to judge man for all their sins (Baynes 9). The phrase supports all the other lines of the creed thereby making it possible to narrate a complete message to all Christians.
Against which tendency was it included?
During the 4th century, Christians began to separate due to their religious differences and values. Different philosophers and Christian scholars presented various views about the authenticity of the Bible and its teachings. Most of the people believed that Jesus had not come to save man (Baynes 39). The scholars believed that the most important thing for Christians was to stick to the Bible and follow the teachings. This resulted in an unacceptable tendency characterized by false teachings and interpretation of the Bible. It was the time to include the line and address the new tendency.
The phrase helped many people understand the meaning of the creed. The line is useful because it has ever since addressed the tendency. Christians have found the creed meaningful and informative about human faith and the importance salvation (Baynes 12). The phrase ‘For us men and for our salvation’ has helped Christians strengthen their faith and accept Christ as their savior.
A contemporary idea or trend related to the line of the Creed
The complete line of the creed states that Christ came for human salvation down from the heavens. The creed goes further to suggest that Jesus Christ was born by the power of the spirit. He was born by the Virgin Mary. He became man and began his mission to save man. Different scholars have argued that the line is misleading because it states that Christ came from heaven (Geitz 36). This is a major issue of debate. Different Christians have argued that Christ was not born through the powers of the Holy Ghost. For instance, the Jews believe that Jesus was an ordinary man and died in a normal way.
The line has led to various disagreements and arguments. Many people believe that Jesus was not born to save man from his sins. He was born in a normal way and not the son of God. This explains why there are differences between Christianity and Judaism (Baynes 38). Personally, I would agree with the line of the creed because it explains why God sent His only son to come and live among men. However, the issue has remained a major concern and debate between scholars and historians. Some churches have replaced certain words and lines in the Nicene Creed.
The expression of sharing of our human soul and condition is something significant towards our human salvation. Jesus came to live with man and make his free (Geitz 39). Although scholars and critics have raised a number of issues against the creed, it teaches Christian the importance of repentance. Personally, I would argue that the creed is very significant to the Christian dogma of repentance and faith despite the issues of debate. The creed continues to educate people about the importance of salvation. It is only through salvation that Christians will meet their creator.
Works Cited
Baynes, Pauline. I Believe: The Nicene Creed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2003. Print.
Geitz, Elizabeth. Gender and the Nicene Creed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print.
Johnson, Luke. The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters. New York: Image, 2004. Print.