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The Apostles' Creed

The Apostles' Creed summarizes what Christians believe and concisely explains the core message of the Bible.

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What Is the Apostles' Creed?

Where did the Apostles’ Creed come from? Legend suggests that each of the twelve apostles of Jesus wrote one line of the Apostles’ Creed. Although the Apostles’ Creed is the oldest formal statement of Christian beliefs, it’s not actually that old. 

The Apostles’ Creed originated as a Roman creed used as early as the second century. Later, a fourth century letter first referenced a version of that Roman creed as “The Apostles’ Creed.” The rendition of the creed we recite today first appeared in the year 753 AD in a handbook for pastors, written by a man named Pirminius from England. 

What does the Apostles’ Creed say? The Apostles’ Creed summarizes . . .

by Bibles.net

APOSTLES' CREED
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Read the entirety of the Apostles’ Creed here.
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The History of The Apostles' Creed

The Rule of Faith
Early church father Irenaeus (130-202) in his book Against Heresies cited a possible precursor to the Apostles’ Creed called the “rule of faith.”
The Old Roman Creed
North African Latin church father Tertullian (160-220) quoted an “old Roman creed,” used in baptismal services, that is similar in wording to Irenaeus’ “rule of faith.”
Creed in Greek
Marcellus (285-374), bishop of Ancyra (in modern-day Turkey), recorded a creed in Greek similar to the Apostles’ Creed.
Creed of the Apostles
A letter from the Council of Milan speaks of the “creed of the apostles,” which could possibly refer to the Apostles’ Creed.
Addition of a Phrase
Rufinus (344-411), a monk who translated many early Greek writings of church fathers into Latin, added the phrase “he descended into hell,” which was the first appearance of this phrase in the Creed up to this point in church history. The phrase only appears again in a form of the Creed recorded in 650.
Earliest Form of the Apostles' Creed
The earliest appearance in written form of what we commonly call the Apostles’ Creed appeared in the writings of the monk Pirminius (670-763).
Popularity
Charlemagne, first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, began to use the Creed throughout his kingdom; over the following centuries the Creed continued to spread throughout western Christendom.
Hymn Inspired by the Creed
Martin Luther (1483-1549), father of the Protestant Reformation, composed a German hymn that paraphrased the Apostles’ Creed.
Catholics Affirm the Creed
The Catechism of the Council of Trent affirmed the use of the Apostles’ Creed in Roman Catholic churches.
Protestants Affirm the Creed
The Church of England (Anglicanism) officially adopted the Creed in its Book of Common Prayer.
Publishing
The Roman Catholic Church published an updated English version of the Creed
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History of the Apostles' Creed
Article: 3 Min

What You Need to Know About the Apostles’ Creed

by Bibles.net
Article: 10 Min

Nine Things You Should Know About the Apostles’ Creed

by Joe Carter at The Gospel Coalition

Quote

No Christian believes
less than everything
revealed in the
Apostles’ Creed.

Albert Mohler Jr.
Quote

The Apostles’ Creed
is an expression
of certainty
to encourage belief
in an era when believers
may prefer mystery or
ignorance. 

Michele Morin at The Gospel Coalition
What Does the Apostles' Creed Say?
Quote

When the Church Recite the Apostles' Creed

Our narrative is that we believe in the God of the Bible. When the church recites this creed, distilled, pulled from, wrung out of the Word of God, we are saying: ‘We reject the modern narrative. We believe the historic narrative —the narrative that God has come into the world to save sinners, that Jesus Christ has died for our sins, and we believe and trust that he has made known to us the path of life.'

by Matt Chandler | Source
Verse
1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-4 NLT

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

Verse

James 2

Is It Enough to Say “I Believe”?
Article: 15 Min

I Believe in God

by Derek Thomas at First Presbyterian Church Jackson, Mississippi

Article Series

Apostles' Creed Article Series

If you want to know how each line of the Apostles' Creed is rooted in the Bible, consider reading these rich articles from Pastor Ligon Duncan.

by Ligon Duncan at First Presbyterian Church

Quote

Do We Mean What We're Saying?

Do you believe? “I believe,” says one, and he begins to repeat what they call the “Apostles’ Creed.” Hold your tongue, sir! That matters not; the devil believes that, perhaps more intelligently than you do; he believes and trembles. That kind of believing saves no man. You may believe the most orthodox creed in Christendom, and perish. Do you trust—for that is the cream of the word “believe”—do you trust in Jesus? Do you lean your whole weight on him? Have you that faith which the Puritans used to call “recumberancy” or “leaning”? This is the faith that saves—faith that falls back into the arms of Jesus, a faith that drops from its own hanging place into those mighty arms.

by Charles Spurgeon | Source
Books
Books