council_or_creed

The Apostles' Creed

Era: Early church
Location: Rome (Old Roman Creed)
Discovered: Present form: 4th–8th century

The oldest and simplest summary of the Christian faith — a baptismal confession the church has used for roughly seventeen centuries.

The find

Its ancestor, the "Old Roman Creed," was used at baptisms in Rome by the second century. The present wording took shape between the fourth and eighth centuries. It confesses one God the Father, almighty Creator; Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, buried, risen on the third day, ascended, coming again to judge; the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic (universal) church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Every clause is anchored in Scripture (Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 15:3–5; Acts 2; 1 Thess 4:16–17).

Why it matters

A trustworthy short answer to "What do Christians believe?" It was written to be memorized, spoken over water at baptism, and passed to the next generation. When it says "catholic," it means universal — not Roman Catholic.

Cross-linked Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:3-5— The earliest gospel summary
Matthew 28:19— Baptismal name

Doctrine check

Sources