What is the Apostles' Creed, and why do some churches use it and others do not?
“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 Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; 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 Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of
Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.”
This is known as the Apostle’s Creed. It is meant to describe the basic tenets of a Christian’s faith. It is not found in the Bible, but is often used as a way to express one’s faith clearly and succinctly. It is representative of the faith of all churches, not just the Roman Catholic Church.
It is not often used in evangelical churches because of the term “Holy catholic Church.” However, that term, at the original writing of this creed, was used to describe the entire church of Christ. It is not necessary that any type of “Creed” be in place in a Christian church. All that God requires is that we know in whom we believe and that we understand the work He did for us so that we may come to salvation.
