Early Church Creeds

Ecumenical Creeds

A creed expresses what the church believes to be the truth of Sacred Scripture. An ecumenical creed expresses certain fundamental truths of Scripture which are held by most Christian churches throughout the world. Three of these ecumenical creeds—the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed—are cited in Article 9 of the Belgic Confession as statements of truth which “we do willingly receive.” These ancient creeds express basic truths regarding the doctrine of the Holy Trinity over against various errors which surfaced in the early history of the New Testament church. To these three the Protestant Reformed Churches have added the Creed of Chalcedon (AD. 451), which sums the truth of the Person and Natures of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though this creed is not mentioned by name in the Reformed confessions, it is included because the doctrine set forth in it is clearly embodied in Article 19 of the Belgic Confession.

See also The Creeds of Christendom

Apostle's Creed

Contents[Show]

Introduction

The name of this creed does not point to apostlic authorship, but rather to the fact that it summarizes briefly the fundamental truths of Scripture as given to us through the apostles. In its simplest form the creed probably originated in the early part of the second century and arose in connection with the instruction of catechumens in preparation for baptism. In its present form this creed is probably of no earlier date than the latter part of the fifth century. It is the best known of the ecumenical creeds; and it  gives simple, brief, and yet full expression to our “catholic, undoubted Christian faith.”

The Creed 

  1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; 
  2. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord;
  3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary;
  4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell;
  5. The third day He rose again from the dead;
  6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 
  7. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 
  8. I believe in the Holy Ghost.
  9. I believe an holy catholic church; the communion of saints;
  10. The forgiveness of sins;
  11. The resurrection of the body;
  12. And the life everlasting. AMEN.
Last modified on 16 August 2013
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