Two creeds in particular were developed in the early centuries of the Church, which have remained important to the Church and are regularly used in our worship today. They are the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed (I use the Apostles’ Creed here as my Testament of Faith, with a couple of minor tweaks, but if you would like a modern version, then try out my Poetic version) as opposed to what you might find on other websites, which can be lengthy for newcomers to digest.
People who were preparing for baptism in the early centuries of the Christian Church learned a summary of what Christians believe. One version became accepted as the Apostles’ Creed because it was thought to include the essential teaching of the 12 apostles, Jesus’ earliest followers. It was in that faith of the apostles that Christians were, and are, baptised.
The Apostles’ Creed is, therefore, a summary of what the Church teaches, and of what Christians together believe, rather than a detailed statement of individual and personal belief. Saying the Creed binds Christians together as a believing community, across different traditions and practices.
As we say the Creed, we join Christians past and present, and from all over the world, in proclaiming our common faith.
The Apostles’ Creed
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,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Christian1 church,
the communion of Christs’2 blood,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Peace be with you.