The Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed
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; the third day
He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sits at
the right hand of God the Father
almighty, from thence He shall 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.
✝️ Quick Profile: The Apostles’ Creed
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | The Apostles’ Creed |
| Written | Final form developed by the 8th century, rooted in 2nd-century baptismal formulas |
| Language | Latin (final version), based on earlier Greek expressions |
| Attributed To | Early Church tradition says it reflects the teachings of the 12 Apostles (but not directly written by them) |
| Purpose | A concise summary of basic Christian beliefs, especially for new converts and baptism |
| Religion | Christianity (used widely in Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions) |
| Legacy | Considered the oldest universally accepted creed in the Western Church |
✝️ Comparison: Apostles’ Creed vs. Nicene Creed
| Feature | Apostles’ Creed | Nicene Creed |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Origin | 2nd–8th century (finalized c. 750 AD) | Originally 325 AD, revised 381 AD |
| Language (Original) | Latin (final form) | Greek |
| Attributed To | Summarizes teachings of the 12 Apostles (not written by them) | Written by bishops at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople |
| Primary Use | Baptismal confession; personal prayer | Liturgical recitation during worship (especially Sunday Mass) |
| Length | Shorter and simpler | Longer and more detailed |
| Theological Focus | Basic beliefs: Trinity, Church, Resurrection | Clarifies Trinity, Christ’s divinity, Holy Spirit |
| Statement About Jesus | Focuses on life events (birth, death, resurrection) | Emphasizes divine nature, eternal Sonship, and mission |
| Holy Spirit Description | Brief: "I believe in the Holy Spirit" | Full section: Lord, giver of life; proceeds from the Father... |
| Used By | Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist | Catholic, Orthodox, many Protestants |
| Purpose | Personal affirmation of faith | Unified doctrinal statement for the global Church |