| 2nd cent. |
The Old Roman Creed, a baptismal creed used in Rome. Develops into the Apostles' Creed. |
| 325-787 |
The Ecumenical Church Councils.
| 325 |
Council of Nicea issued the original Nicene creed, rejecting Arianism (Christ is a created being), and affirming that Christ is fully divine, one in being (homoousios) with the Father. |
| 381 |
Council of Constantinople issued the Constantinopolitan Creed, later called the Nicene Creed, affirming that the Spirit is divine. |
| 431 |
Council of Ephesus condemned Nestorianism (Christ has two separable natures), and declared Mary theotokos (Mother of God). |
| 451 |
Council of Chalcedon issued the Definition of Chalcedon, affirming that Christ has two natures in one person. |
| 553 |
Council of Constantinople II condemned the Three Chapters (a compendium of the writings of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrus, and Ibas of Edessa, advocates of Antiochene theology emphasizing Christ's humanity at the expense of his deity). |
| 680 |
Council of Constantinople III condemned monothelitism (Christ has a single will), affirming that Christ had a human will and a divine will that functioned in perfect harmony. |
| 787 |
Council of Nicea II declared that icons are acceptable aids to worship, rejecting the iconoclasts (icon-smashers). |
|
| 1054 |
Great Schism: Eastern and Western churches mutually excommunicate one another's leaders. |
| 1517 |
Martin Luther pinned his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Wittenburg Castle, precipitating the Reformation. Reformation creeds include Augsburg Confession (1530), Heidelberg Catechism (1563). |
| 1545-63 |
Council of Trent: Roman Catholic Church's response to the reformers. Declared inspiration of apocrypha, traditions; sole validity of Church-authorized interpretation of Bible; baptismal regeneration; purgatory; Pope is vicar upon earth of God and Christ. Reaffirmed transubstantiation, reservation of sacrament. Denied salvation by faith alone; priesthood of all believers. |
| 1618-19 |
Canons of Dordt (1618-19) issued in response to the teaching of Jacob Arminius. |
| 1644-48 |
Westminster Assembly of Divines, issued the Westminster Confession of Faith, The Longer Catechism and The Shorter Catechism. The Presbyterian WCF was modified for Baptist purposes as Second London Baptist Confession (1689). |
| 1869-70 |
First Vatican Council: affirmed papal infallibility, part of the expanding dogma of Catholic Church: Immaculate conception of Mary (1854), Papal infallibility (1870), Bodily assumption of Mary (1950). |
| 1965 |
Second Vatican Council |