Nicene Creed

In the Nicene Creed we confess that we believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son. What does this mean?

That phrase from the Creed speaks of God the Father and God the Son sending God the Holy Spirit to bless people through his powerful work in human hearts through the gospel. The basis for that phrase comes from Bible passages like these: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me” (John 15:26). “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). Those passages demonstrate the perfect relationship of the three persons of the Trinity.

Your question is timely as we approach Pentecost Sunday and Trinity Sunday on the church year calendar.