A Concise Summary of Our Faith’s Foundations
In addition to the Nicene Creed, as a time-tested statement of Christian faith, we also have the Apostles’ Creed. It is a shorter, more concise statement of Christian belief.
Unlike the Nicene Creed, which dates to the year 325, there is no precise date for the Apostle’s Creed, merely that it developed over time, starting one hundred years prior in the 200s.
Though its name references the apostles—that is, Jesus’s twelve disciples—it didn’t directly originate with them. Instead, the name is more in respect to the apostles and implies it aligns with what they believed.
In this regard, the Apostles’ Creed, originally written in Latin, recaps the essentials of what the apostles taught. The intent was to summarize the basic—that is, the foundational or core—principles of Christianity.
Here is an English version of the Apostles’ Creed, courtesy of the Christian Reformed Church:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
Notice that the Apostles’ Creed is organized in three sections, each beginning with the phrase I believe (alternately rendered as we believe.)
This provides both an organizational structure, as well as a comforting rhythm when reciting it in unison during a church service or gathering.
Troublesome to many is the use of the word catholic in the creed.
While Catholics treat this as a proper noun to reference the Roman Catholic Church, Protestants use it as an improper noun. The first definition of catholic (with a lowercase c) is broad or comprehensive and the second is universal.
To avoid confusion, some churches I’ve attended replaced catholic with the word universal or even Christian, which encompasses all streams of Christian faith, including both Catholic and Protestant.
Regardless of this, the Apostles’ Creed stands as a concise summary of our faith’s foundation.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.