We All Believe in One True God Maker
We all believe in one true God
This hymn presents the Nicene Creed in congregational form, affirming the Trinity and Christ's divinity against modalism and Arianism. It exemplifies Lutheran commitment to ecumenical creeds as essential expressions of Christian orthodoxy and unity.
History & Background
Written by Clausnitzer in 1668, this German hymn is a poetic expansion of the Nicene Creed into three stanzas. It was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth in 1863 and became widely adopted in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 404
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 374
- Lutheran Service Book — 954
- Lutheran Worship — 213
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 251
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Clausnitzer in 1668, this hymn sets the Nicene Creed to the tune Ratisbon, making orthodox Christian confession singable and memorable for all God's people—a distinctly Lutheran way of teaching and treasuring apostolic faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Nicene Creed into congregational proclamation, inviting the sermon to unpack how trinitarian faith anchors both our comfort in God's grace and our call to live as those redeemed and sanctified.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
- Nicene Creed Three Ecumenical Creeds
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Invocation of Christ's illuminating presence → Personal petition for inner light → Transformation through divine radiance → Progressive sanctification to Christlikeness
Themes
Trinity Nicene Creed Christian confession Trinitarian theology Unity of faith