The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient, worthy, and wonderful summary of basic Christian belief. The years haven’t taken away from its truth or importance. The Apostles’ Creed is probably the most well-known and agreed to statement of belief among Christians that doesn’t come straight from one Biblical passage.
For centuries Christians united around this simple statement of the essentials of the faith. In the earliest church, the creed was a statement of faith required for those who would be baptized. Before they could express a public devotion to Jesus, they had to demonstrate their understanding and agreement with the truths of the Apostles’ Creed.
Below is one version of the creed, and we’ll take a look at it line by line.
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker 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, dead, and buried;
He descended into hades;
The third day, He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth
On the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
From thence He shall come to judge
The quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian church,
The communion of the saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.
Amen.