What exactly is the text of the Nicene Creed? There are so many versions of it on the Net?

Answer 1

The problem is that the Nicene Creed was composed in Greek. The versions you read are English translations, which necessarily are not identical.

The only significant difference in versions is the part about where the Holy Spirit comes from. In the original, the Spirit "proceeds from the Father". The Orthodox affirms this to this day. The Western Church altered the line to say, "from the Father and the Son", feeling this more accurately described three co-equal beings in one god. This became known as the "Filioque" clause (literally: "and Son"), which is one of the major contentions between these two major branches of Christianity. The other differences are primarily a matter of word choice.

Note: Don't confuse the Nicene Creed with the Apostles' Creed, which is similar but emphasizes other doctrinal details.

Answer 2

As much as I don't usually like to rely on wikipedia, their article on the Nicene Creed is a good resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed

Long story short, the Nicene Creed has slightly different translations depending on what point in history and which denomination's version you are looking at.

This is the version Roman Catholics in the USA use:

We believe in one God, The Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father; through Him all things were made. For us [men] and for our salvation He came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became [hu]man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Answer 3

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead , whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and life of the world to come. Amen