Michael Brooks
The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used by Western churches, both Catholic and Protestant. It is considered a summary of the Church's teachings and what Christians believe, rather than a detailed statement of personal belief. The creed is divided into three main articles, with each article beginning with I believe. The present form of the creed is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries, and it is still used by the Catholic Church in the Rite of Baptism. However, it is not exclusively Catholic, as Lutherans and Anglicans also use it during the Sacrament of Baptism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used by | Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Protestants |
| Current usage | During the Sacrament of Baptism |
| Original usage | A summary of the teachings of the apostles, to guide early Christians |
| Origin | Developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism in the 3rd and 4th centuries |
| An early version, the "Old Roman Creed", was in use in the 2nd century | |
| The earliest written form is from a letter by Marcellus of Ancyra in AD 341 | |
| The current form dates to the 8th century | |
| The title "Apostles' Creed" was mentioned by Ambrose in 390 | |
| The Apostles' Creed is included in the Roman Missal as an alternative | |
| The Church of England has two authorised forms of the creed | |
| The Catholic Church published a new English translation in 2008 | |
| The International Consultation on English Texts (ICET) published a version in 1970-1975 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Apostles' Creed is used by both Catholic and Protestant churches
- The Creed is a summary of Christian teachings and beliefs
- The Creed's present form is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries
- The Catholic Church published a new English translation of the Apostles' Creed in 2008
- The Creed is divided into three main articles
The Apostles' Creed is used by both Catholic and Protestant churches
The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief that is used by Western churches, including both Catholic and Protestant denominations. While it is explicitly affirmed only in Western churches, it reflects traditions that were affirmed officially by the entire Church in the Nicene Creed. The Creed is a summary of the Church's teachings and of what Christians together believe, rather than a detailed statement of individual and personal belief.
The present form of the Apostles' Creed is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries. It developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism. The Catholic Church still uses an interrogative form of it in the Rite of Baptism for both children and adults. The minister of baptism asks a series of questions, such as "Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?" and "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?" To each question, the catechumen, or the parents and sponsors in the case of an infant, answers "I do" or "Yes, I believe".
Lutherans following the Lutheran Service Book, such as the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church–Canada, also use the Apostles' Creed during the Sacrament of Baptism. The Church of England has two authorized forms of the creed: that of the Book of Common Prayer (1662) and that of Common Worship (2000).
The Apostles' Creed is considered a summary of the core teachings of the early church, which are seen as early as the New Testament book of Hebrews. It is believed to represent some form of what the early church called the "rule of faith," which guided early Christians, along with the Holy Spirit working in community and individuals, and the authoritative Scriptures.
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The Creed is a summary of Christian teachings and beliefs
The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used by Western churches, including Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant denominations. It is considered a summary of Christian teachings and beliefs that brings together Christians of different traditions and practices. The creed is believed to be based on the "'rule of faith' that guided early Christians, reflecting the traditions officially affirmed by the entire Church in the Nicene Creed.
The present form of the Apostles' Creed is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries. It developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism, and the Catholic Church still uses an interrogative form during the Rite of Baptism. The creed consists of three main articles, arranged according to a Trinitarian structure, and is divided into sections that address beliefs about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The first section of the Apostles' Creed begins with a declaration of faith in God the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. It affirms belief in Jesus Christ, His only Son, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. It also acknowledges Jesus' suffering under Pontius Pilate, His crucifixion, death, and burial. Some versions of the creed also include a belief that Jesus descended into hell.
The second section states that on the third day after His death, Jesus rose again, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. It proclaims that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.
The third section of the Apostles' Creed expresses belief in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. The term "catholic" in this context is interpreted as "universal" or "global", reflecting the historic nature of the creed that predates the split between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
The Apostles' Creed, therefore, serves as a unifying declaration of faith for Christians worldwide, providing a concise summary of the core teachings and beliefs that form the foundation of their religion.
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The Creed's present form is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries
The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used by Western churches, including both Catholic and Protestant denominations. The present form of the Apostles' Creed is indeed similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries.
The Apostles' Creed developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism. The Catholic Church still uses an interrogative form of the creed in the Rite of Baptism for both children and adults. The minister of baptism asks a series of questions, such as ""Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?"" and ""Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?". The catechumen, or the parents and sponsors in the case of an infant, answers "I do" to each question.
The phrase "Apostles' Creed" was first mentioned in a letter from the Synod of Milan dated AD 390, referring to the belief that each of the Twelve Apostles contributed an article to the twelve articles of the creed. The expression "Symbolum Apostolicum" appeared in a letter from Ambrose to Pope Siricius around AD 390, stating, "Let them give credit to the Symbol of the Apostles, which the Roman Church has always kept and preserved undefiled."
The Apostles' Creed, in its final form, gained acceptance throughout France and Germany over the following centuries. It was officially recognized by Charlemagne across the Frankish Empire in the ninth century and was eventually incorporated into the liturgy of the Church of Rome.
The present text of the Apostles' Creed is an enlargement of the earlier "Old Roman Creed," which was in use as early as the second century. The Old Roman Creed is found in a letter written by Marcellus of Ancyra to Julius, the bishop of Rome, around AD 341. Tyrannius Rufinus wrote a Latin commentary on this creed about 50 years later.
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The Catholic Church published a new English translation of the Apostles' Creed in 2008
The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used by both Catholic and Protestant churches. Its present form is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries. The Catholic Church uses an interrogative form of it in the Rite of Baptism. The Apostles' Creed is included in the Roman Missal as an alternative to the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.
In 2008, the Catholic Church published a new English translation of the texts of the Mass of the Roman Rite. This included a new translation of the Apostles' Creed, which came into force at the end of 2011. The new translation is as follows:
> I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
This translation differs from previous versions in its use of "I believe" instead of "We believe". This change brings the English translation closer to the ancient Latin text, which begins with "Credo in unum Deum" ("I believe in one God"). The Catechism of the Catholic Church reflects on this phrase, stating that "Whoever says 'I believe' says 'I pledge myself to what we believe'".
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The Creed is divided into three main articles
The Apostles' Creed, a statement of Christian belief, is used by Western churches, including both Catholic and Protestant denominations. It is divided into three main articles, which are outlined below:
The First Article
The first article affirms belief in God the Father, the maker of heaven and earth. This belief is central to Christianity and establishes the foundation for the rest of the creed.
The Second Article
The second article focuses on Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. It highlights key moments in Jesus' life, including his conception by the Holy Spirit, birth to the Virgin Mary, crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, death, burial, and resurrection on the third day. It also mentions his ascension into heaven and his role as judge of the living and the dead.
The Third Article
The third article centres on the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, and the communion of saints. It includes beliefs in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life. This section underscores the community aspect of Christian faith and the role of the Church in guiding believers.
It is important to note that the precise division of the text into articles is not universally agreed upon, and different traditions may organise the content slightly differently. Additionally, the Apostles' Creed is believed to have originated from the earlier "Old Roman Creed", also known as the "Old Roman Symbol", and has been used in Latin liturgical rites since the 8th century.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief that is used by Western churches, both Catholic and Protestant.
The Apostles' Creed is a summary of what the Church teaches and what Christians believe. It binds Christians together as a believing community, across different traditions and practices.
The Apostles' Creed is believed to have originated in the second century. It developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism. The present form of the creed is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries.
The creed seems to use “catholic” in the sense of “universal” or “global”. This interpretation fits with the historic nature of the creed, which predates the split of the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
