Final answer:
The Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed are both important Christian statements of belief, with the Nicene Creed originating from the Council of Nicaea to address Arianism and affirm the divinity of Jesus Christ, while the Apostle's Creed serves as a simpler summary of faith.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed are two significant statements of belief within the Christian faith. The Apostle's Creed is often used as a profession of faith during the Catholic Church's baptism ritual. While originally it was thought to have been written by the Apostles, which is why it's called the 'Apostle's Creed,' this belief is no longer widely held. In contrast, the Nicene Creed originated from the first ecumenical council, the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, convened by Emperor Constantine to settle the question of Jesus's divine nature. The Nicene Creed explicitly addresses the issue of Arianism, affirming that Jesus Christ is 'begotten, not made' and is 'consubstantial with the Father,' thus supporting his divinity and co-eternity with God.
There are textual and theological differences between the creeds as well. The Nicene Creed includes phrases that clarify the co-eternity of the Son with the Father, and the consubstantial nature of Jesus, directly countering Arian beliefs. The Apostle's Creed is simpler and does not contain express anti-Arian language. Instead, it serves as a basic summary of Christian beliefs.