The Apostle’s Creed is one of the most widely recognized statements of faith in Christianity. Recited for centuries, it unites believers in a common confession of their faith.
But why do churches continue to recite it today? Is it merely a tradition, or does it have deeper spiritual significance?
This article will explore:
- Why churches continue to recite it today
- The history of the Apostle’s Creed
- What the creed means and why it matters
- How it connects us to the early church
What is the Apostle’s Creed and It’s Meaning?
The Apostle’s Creed is the oldest known statement of faith. It summarizes the apostles’ teachings used in the early church.
Martin Luther wrote the Catechism to teach preachers (and heads of households) about the Bible and the basic teachings of the church. He wrote a simple explanation of each article (section) of the creed, which is as follows:
The First Article
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them; that He richly and daily provides me with food and clothing, home and family, property and goods, and all that I need to support this body and life; that He protects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
The Second Article
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 into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
The Third Article
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. What does this mean?
What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified me, and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives me and all believers all our sins; and at the last day He will raise up me and all the dead and will grant me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.
–Martin Luther, Small Catechism
Why the Apostle’s Creed Matters
When you speak the Apostle’s Creed, you take a firm stand about what you believe and confess about God.
For much of my life, I went through the motions when we spoke creeds out loud in church. I spoke the words because that was the thing to do. As I’ve gotten older and more firm in my faith, I understand the meaning behind using a creed.
The Apostle’s Creed Is a Bold Statement of Faith
Unlike a prayer, the Apostle’s Creed is a declaration of belief. When spoken, it affirms:
- Who God is
- What Jesus has done
- The role of the Holy Spirit
- The promise of eternal life
This creed is not just words—it is a personal and public confession of faith.
The Apostle’s Creed Unites Christians Worldwide
In an increasingly divided world, the Apostle’s Creed serves as a unifying statement among believers. When recited, it joins:
- Local congregations
- Christians across the world
- Generations of believers throughout history
It reminds us that our faith is bigger than ourselves, connecting us to the global church.
The Apostle’s Creed Links Us to the Early Church
The creed has been spoken by Christians for nearly 2,000 years. Reciting it today keeps us grounded in the Apostles’ original teachings, reinforcing the faith that has been passed down through generations.
The History of the Apostle’s Creed
The Apostle’s Creed is a statement of faith. In many mainline churches, it is spoken in worship on a regular basis.
Who wrote the Apostle’s Creed?
The Apostle’s Creed was not written by the Apostles and is not found in the Bible. Instead, it developed around 150 A.D., created by early Christian leaders to summarize core Christian beliefs.
It was widely used in early Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean region, including:
- Jerusalem
- Alexandria (North Africa)
- Rome
- Spain
Its purpose was to provide a clear, concise statement of faith that could be easily memorized and recited.
The Apostle’s Creed vs. Nicene Creed – What’s the Difference?
There are three main creeds used in the Christian church today, including the Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
| Creed | Year Developed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apostle’s Creed | 150 A.D. | A simple summary of Christian beliefs, often used in baptisms & worship |
| Nicene Creed | 325 A.D. | Created to address heresies and clarify the nature of Jesus |
| Athanasian Creed | 500 A.D. | A more detailed creed focusing on the Trinity |
The Apostle’s Creed is the oldest and shortest of the three creeds. It is sometimes called the Baptism creed and is often used in worship services where there is no communion.
The Nicene Creed is a bit longer and was developed in response to controversies within the church. It includes more information about Jesus and his relationship with the Father and is often used during worship with the Lord’s Supper.
What Christian Denominations Use the Apostle’s Creed?
The Apostle’s Creed is regularly recited in:
- Protestant churches (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Episcopal)
- Catholic churches
- Orthodox churches
Some non-denominational churches also affirm its teachings, though they may not recite them regularly.
Is the Apostle’s Creed in the Bible?
Often, people are curious about where they can find Apostle’s Creed Bible verses, but it’s important to know that the Apostle’s Creed and other creeds like the Nicene Creed are not in the Bible.
However, its statements are rooted in Scripture, making it a summary of key biblical teachings.
Examples of biblical support for the creed include:
- “I believe in God, the Father Almighty” → Genesis 1:1, Matthew 6:9
- “Jesus… was crucified, died, and was buried” → Luke 23:33, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- “The resurrection of the body” → 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
This makes the Apostle’s Creed a valuable tool for understanding and memorizing Christian doctrine.
The Words of the Apostle’s Creed
Here is the traditional wording of the Apostle’s Creed:
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 Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God
the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Why Do We Continue Saying the Apostle’s Creed?
Memorizing the Apostles’ Creed is not necessary, but it is a helpful practice. If someone asks you what you believe, you will have a clear and ready statement of your faith. Why? because,
It Helps Us Remember What We Believe
Memorizing the Apostle’s Creed provides a clear and concise statement of faith. If someone asks, “What do you believe?”, the creed offers an immediate answer.
It’s a Public Declaration of Faith
In many churches, before reciting the Apostle’s Creed, the pastor asks, “Christian, what do you believe?” The congregation responds with the creed, affirming their beliefs together.
This practice reinforces the idea that the creed is not just words—it is a bold declaration of faith.
It Connects Us to the Universal Church
When reciting the Apostle’s Creed, Christians affirm their connection to:
Future generations, who will carry this faith forward
The early Church, which first spoke these words
The global Church, which continues to recite it today
Does your church recite the Apostle’s Creed regularly? Share about it in the comments below.
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Such a powerful post. I made sure to include the Statement of faith on my blog so that I will never forget my creed.
I didn’t grow up reciting the Creed but now I feel I must because I will have a ready answer.