The Apostles’ Creed 

By Rev. Kenneth E. Chorle, pastor Union Presbyterian Church

THE APOSTLES’ CREED (Text)

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.

          The Apostles’ Creed is so named because it is thought to contain the teaching of the early apostles.  This creed has its origin in the Old Roman Creed first used in the late second century.  The material in the Old Roman Creed came in two forms.  The first was a declaration (“I believe in...”) to show that a candidate was instructed and ready for baptism.  The other and older form was a series of questions and answers.  The candidate standing in water was asked “Do you believe in...?”  The candidate answered “I believe” and was immersed.  The Latin word “Credo” means “I believe.”  Hence, our English word creed refers to beliefs.

          Keep in mind the present form of the Apostles’ Creed was based on the Old Roman Creed of the second century.  The current form is not identical to the Old Roman Creed.  The current form of the Apostles’ Creed is the product of revisions and additions that took place through the centuries.  The present form first appeared in the eighth century and was later popularized by the emperor Charlemagne.  By the Middle Ages, it was everywhere employed in the West for baptism.  It also began to be used for catechism, and it was included in orders of prayers and worship.

          The creed can be divided up into three sections based upon our understanding of the trinity.  The first section focuses upon God, the Father.  He is called “maker of heaven and earth.”  All that exists is credited to the creative power of the first person of the trinity.

          The second section focuses upon the second person of the trinity, Jesus Christ.  He is a historical person who was “born of the Virgin Mary.”  His suffering was historical in that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.”  The heart of the gospel is affirmed in that Jesus “was crucified, died and buried.”  The creed does not leave Jesus in the tomb, but it states that on “the third day He rose again from the dead.”

          The third section begins with an affirmation about the Holy Spirit.  The weakness of the Apostles’ Creed is that no further statements are made concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  This third section is more about the church than the Holy Spirit.  The church is said to be “catholic” not in the sense of “Roman Catholic.”  The word catholic refers to universal.  The church can not be limited to a specific geographic region or to a specific denomination.  The “communion of saints” is a reference to fellowship.  The church is to be gathered together and not scattered apart.  Members of the church are to be in relationship not just to God, but also to each other.

          The final few sentences mention Christian belief in afterlife.  Our hope is that death is not final.  One day all believers will possess a resurrection body similar to the resurrection body of our Lord Jesus.  Life does not end in death, but will go on and on and on..... (life everlasting)