The Apostles’ Creed: Full Text, History, and Biblical Truths

The Apostles’ Creed is one of the earliest and most widely accepted statements of Christian faith. It summarizes the core doctrines of the Bible, affirming belief in God the Father, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ His Son—including His virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—and the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, and the promise of eternal life.

In a world of shifting beliefs, the Christian faith offers an unshakeable anchor in the unchanging Word of God. Throughout history, believers have summarized their faith in concise statements that both instruct and inspire. Among the most revered of these is the Apostles’ Creed. It does not replace Scripture but serves as a faithful echo of its core teachings—a timeless testament to the shared beliefs of Christ’s followers.

Here on Just Jesus Time, we invite you to journey through this cornerstone of Christian confession. In this article, we will present the full text of the Apostles’ Creed, explore its rich history, and examine the biblical truths it affirms. These truths center on the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From its declaration of God the Father to its promise of resurrection and life everlasting, the Creed summarizes the core doctrines that define our shared hope, offering a clear foundation for all believers.

Understanding the Apostles’ Creed is more than an academic exercise; it is an act that deepens our faith and unites our voices with believers across generations. Let us begin by examining the words that have echoed through the ages—a powerful declaration of the faith we hold in Jesus Christ.

What are the words of apostles creed?

The Full Text of the Creed

The Apostles’ Creed is a foundational statement of Christian belief that has unified believers for centuries. It clearly and concisely summarizes the core truths of the faith concerning God the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord, and the Holy Spirit.

More than just a collection of words, the creed is a powerful declaration. Each phrase anchors believers in the historical reality of the Gospel and echoes profound biblical teachings. [source: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/church-history/what-is-the-apostles-creed-full-text-and-history.html]

Reciting these words connects us to a chorus of faith spanning generations and affirms the heart of salvation history. Please take a moment to read and reflect on this timeless confession:

The Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

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 to the dead.

On 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 will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Why the Creed Still Matters

This creed proclaims the essential doctrines of our faith. It steadfastly affirms the deity of Jesus Christ, His miraculous birth, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection. These are not abstract concepts but historical realities that form the bedrock of our hope (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

As a concise summary of scriptural truth, the Apostles’ Creed also serves as a vital guard against false teaching. It clearly defines who God is and what He has accomplished through His Son, directing all praise and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What is the Biblical Foundation of the Apostles’ Creed?

Belief in God the Father Almighty

The Apostles’ Creed begins with the profound declaration of belief in “God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” This foundational truth anchors Christian faith. The Bible consistently reveals God as the sovereign Creator who spoke the universe into being (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 33:6). Yet this mighty Father is not distant; He is intimately involved in His creation. As the “Almighty,” He is all-powerful, meaning nothing is impossible for Him and He holds ultimate authority (Luke 1:37). This understanding of a loving, all-powerful Father offers believers immense comfort and security, allowing us to trust in His boundless power and steadfast love (1 John 4:8).

Belief in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord

Central to the Apostles’ Creed is the confession of Jesus Christ as “His only Son, our Lord.” This statement beautifully encapsulates Jesus’ divine identity, affirming He is both fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9). The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, who existed with the Father from eternity (John 3:16, John 1:1). The Creed also proclaims His miraculous birth—that He was “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” (Matthew 1:18-23), a supernatural event that underscores His unique nature. It affirms that He “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.” The historical reality of His atoning sacrifice is crucial, as Jesus willingly gave His life for our sins (Romans 5:8, Isaiah 53:5). However, death could not hold Him. The Creed declares that “on the third day He rose again from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), a resurrection that serves as the very cornerstone of Christian faith. Following this victory, He “ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty” (Acts 1:9-11), from where He “will come to judge the living and the dead.” This promises His glorious return as Lord and King (Philippians 2:9-11).

Belief in the Holy Spirit

The Creed continues by affirming belief in “the Holy Spirit,” the third person of the Trinity who is fully God and co-equal with the Father and the Son. His presence is vital for every believer, just as Jesus promised His disciples (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, empowers us to live for Christ, and guides us into all truth (John 16:7-8, Acts 1:8, John 16:13). He also intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26). As our Helper, Comforter, and Guide, the Spirit’s indwelling presence assures us of our salvation and enables us to understand and apply God’s Word in our daily lives.

Belief in the Holy Catholic Church and the Forgiveness of Sins

Next, the Creed professes belief in “the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins.” Here, the term “catholic” means “universal,” referring to the body of all believers in Jesus Christ across all times and places, not a single denomination. As the body of Christ on earth, all true believers are united in this precious spiritual fellowship (Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Furthermore, the Creed emphasizes the “forgiveness of sins,” a truth at the very heart of the Gospel. Through Christ’s sacrifice, God offers a full pardon for our sins (1 John 1:9). This divine cleansing, a radical and undeserved grace, comes through repentance and faith in Jesus (Acts 10:43). This forgiveness brings peace with God, freeing us from the burden and penalty of sin as a central promise of the new covenant (Romans 5:1).

Belief in the Resurrection and Life Everlasting

The Creed’s final affirmations—”the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting”—bring immense hope. This confession speaks to God’s ultimate plan for humanity: just as Jesus rose bodily from the dead, so too will believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Our physical bodies will be transformed into imperishable and glorious forms. This future bodily resurrection guarantees our eternal existence with God. “Life everlasting” is not merely endless existence but signifies a new quality of life—eternal fellowship in the presence of our Lord (John 11:25-26). In this life, there will be no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4), a glorious promise that fills believers with anticipation and encourages us to live faithfully today. In this way, the Creed concludes by affirming the ultimate triumph of life over death through Jesus Christ. Amen!

What is the original version of the apostles creed?

The Creed’s Early Roots

The Apostles’ Creed is a foundational statement of faith for Christians worldwide. While many believers wonder about its precise origin, it is important to know that there isn’t a single document penned by the apostles themselves [source: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-73/what-are-creeds.html]. Instead, the Creed evolved from the earliest declarations of faith within the early Church.

These initial declarations were deeply rooted in the New Testament. For instance, new believers confessed “Jesus is Lord” to be saved (Romans 10:9). From the beginning, the core truths of the Gospel were shared orally, and these simple confessions laid the groundwork for the more formalized statements that would follow.

Historians point to the “Old Roman Creed” (often called ‘R’) as the earliest known ancestor of the Apostles’ Creed. Dating back to at least the second century AD, this text served as a baptismal confession in Rome [source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Old-Roman-Creed]. Before being baptized, new converts would affirm their belief in these foundational truths, a practice that powerfully demonstrated their commitment to Christ.

Therefore, while the apostles did not write the Creed in its current form, its content directly reflects their teaching. It articulates the essential, Spirit-inspired truths they proclaimed, which are preserved for us in Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). In this way, the Creed serves as a concise summary of these unchanging biblical realities.

How the Creed Developed Over Time

Although the Old Roman Creed was a significant step, it was not the final form. Over several centuries, the Creed underwent a process of organic development and refinement, driven by the practical needs of the growing Church.

Early Christian communities faced various challenges, including false teachings known as heresies that sought to undermine biblical truth. The Creed served as a bulwark against these errors, helping believers clearly define what they believed. Each addition or clarification aimed to safeguard the core message of the Gospel.

For example, specific phrases were added to combat heresies by strengthening the declaration of Jesus’ full divinity and humanity, as well as emphasizing His true resurrection. The phrase “He descended into hell,” though interpreted differently across traditions, was one such addition that affirmed Jesus’ complete experience of death [source: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/he-descended-hell]. Furthermore, the inclusion of “life everlasting” cemented the core Christian hope of eternal life through Christ.

By the eighth century, the Apostles’ Creed had largely reached its present form and was widely accepted across the Western Church [source: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/a-history-of-the-apostles-creed]. Its universal adoption reflected the Church’s shared conviction in these fundamental doctrines. The Creed thus became a profound summary of the essential Christian faith, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. This timeless declaration helps believers confess their unwavering trust in our Lord and Savior.

Why do baptists not say the apostles creed?

A Focus on Sola Scriptura

A core principle of Baptist churches is Sola Scriptura, a Latin phrase meaning “Scripture Alone.” This doctrine asserts that the Holy Bible is the only infallible and authoritative source for Christian faith and practice. Consequently, this belief profoundly shapes all aspects of Baptist worship and theology.

For Baptists, the Bible stands as the ultimate rule. It is the complete revelation of God’s will to humanity. Every doctrine, every practice, and every statement of faith must align directly with God’s inspired Word. The Apostle Paul affirms this truth, stating, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This principle explains why Baptists, while affirming many truths in the Apostles’ Creed, do not formally recite it in worship. The reason is not a disagreement with the creed’s content but a steadfast commitment to the Bible’s supreme authority. From the Baptist perspective, no creed—no matter how ancient or widely accepted—can hold the same standing as Scripture itself [source: https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/resources/articles/why-baptists-are-not-creedal/]. Their focus remains on the direct teaching of God’s Word.

Creeds as Testimonies, Not Mandates

In the Baptist tradition, historical statements like the Apostles’ Creed are seen as valuable testimonies of faith. They serve as helpful summaries of core Christian doctrines that have been affirmed across generations. However, Baptists do not consider them to be binding articles of faith or required elements of worship, as they are not Scripture.

Instead, Baptist churches often formulate their own confessions of faith to articulate their understanding of biblical truths. An example is the Baptist Faith and Message, which outlines the doctrinal beliefs of the Southern Baptist Convention [source: https://www.sbc.net/about/what-we-believe/baptist-faith-message/]. These confessions serve to clarify shared beliefs and act as guides for understanding Scripture, not as replacements for it.

Ultimately, the emphasis is on each believer personally understanding and affirming biblical truth through the direct study of God’s Word. This personal conviction is central to the Baptist faith. As Jesus Himself declared, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). For this reason, while Baptists may agree with the affirmations in the Apostles’ Creed, they always prioritize the Bible’s direct instruction over any human-authored statement. Creeds are therefore viewed as helpful expressions of faith, but never as prerequisites for worship or requirements for salvation.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Apostles’ Creed

Did the Catholic Church change the Apostles’ Creed?

The idea that the Catholic Church “changed” the Apostles’ Creed misunderstands its historical development. The Creed was not altered by a single entity; rather, it developed organically over several centuries from early Christian confessions of faith. Its earliest known form, often called the “Old Roman Creed,” emerged around the 2nd century in Rome. [source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apostles-Creed] This version served as a baptismal confession for new believers.

Over time, various Christian communities adapted and expanded this core declaration. These changes were not about altering fundamental biblical truths but about adding clauses for greater clarity and theological emphasis. For instance, the phrase “He descended into hell” was one of the later additions to the text.

The version of the Apostles’ Creed recited today became standardized around the 7th or 8th century, reflecting a broad consensus of Christian belief rooted in Scripture. Therefore, it’s more accurate to say the Creed evolved and matured over time. The Catholic Church, along with other Christian traditions, played a key role in preserving and transmitting this foundational statement of faith. The core tenets, affirming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, have always remained steadfast (1 Corinthians 8:6).

Is the Apostles’ Creed considered a prayer?

While the Apostles’ Creed is not technically a prayer, it is often used in a prayerful way. A prayer is typically a direct address to God—offering praise, petition, or thanksgiving. In contrast, the Apostles’ Creed is primarily a confession of faith or a declaration of belief.

It serves as a public or private affirmation of what Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It outlines the essential truths of the Gospel, and reciting it is a way of stating adherence to these foundational doctrines.

However, reciting the Creed can be a deeply spiritual act of worship and commitment. By confessing our faith, we are actively declaring our trust in God’s saving work through Jesus Christ. This aligns with scriptural encouragement like Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” In this sense, reciting the Creed becomes a personal and reverent act of devotion.

How is the Nicene Creed different from the Apostles’ Creed?

Both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are ancient, foundational statements of Christian faith that share core beliefs about the Trinity and Jesus Christ. However, they differ in their origin, length, and primary purpose.

Here are the key distinctions:

• Origin and Date:
• The Apostles’ Creed developed gradually from early baptismal creeds in the Western Church, with roots in the 2nd century. It settled into its current form around the 7th-8th century. [source: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-76/early-creeds-what-did-christians-believe.html]
• The Nicene Creed was drafted by two ecumenical councils to establish precise doctrine. It was largely developed at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. [source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nicene-Creed]
• Length and Detail:
• The Apostles’ Creed is shorter and more direct, offering a concise summary of essential Christian doctrines. It is often called a “baptismal creed” for its role in instructing new converts.
• The Nicene Creed is longer and more theologically specific. It uses precise language to define the nature of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
• Primary Purpose:
• The Apostles’ Creed was a basic confession for believers, summarizing key Gospel truths about God, Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit.
• The Nicene Creed was specifically designed to refute heresies like Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Jesus. For this reason, it uses stronger language to affirm Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father” and also clearly affirms the Holy Spirit’s divinity.
• Usage:
• Both creeds are widely used in Christian worship.
• The Apostles’ Creed is common in many Protestant traditions and for personal recitation.
• The Nicene Creed is prominent in Eucharistic liturgies (Communion services) within Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and many Protestant churches.

In essence, the Apostles’ Creed offers a simple yet powerful declaration of faith, while the Nicene Creed builds on those truths with more specific theological definitions. Both stand as pillars of orthodox Christian belief, guiding our understanding of the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19).

A Unifying Declaration of Our Faith in Jesus

The Apostles’ Creed is a profound and unifying declaration of Christian faith—not just an ancient text, but a living testament. For nearly two millennia, this powerful statement has distilled the core beliefs of Christianity, directing our hearts toward the central figure of our salvation: Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Heart of Our Confession: Jesus Christ

At its core, the Apostles’ Creed is a resolute confession of Jesus Christ, with every line speaking to His divine nature and saving work. It guides us to declare His eternal sonship, His miraculous birth through the Holy Spirit, and His suffering, crucifixion, and death—including His burial and descent.

Crucially, the Creed proclaims His glorious resurrection, the very cornerstone of our hope (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We then confess His ascension into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there, He will return to judge the living and the dead. This complete account of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and return forms the bedrock of Christian doctrine. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

A Unifying Bond Across Generations

The Apostles’ Creed is a remarkable instrument of unity, bridging diverse Christian traditions and connecting believers across continents and centuries. When we recite it, we join a global chorus of voices affirming the same fundamental truths. Widely embraced by various denominations, this shared confession reminds us of our common heritage in Christ and symbolizes our shared theological foundation [source: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-77/early-creeds-shared-faith.html].

The Creed reminds us that despite our differences, we are one body in Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6). This unity rests not on human agreement but on the unchanging truth of God’s Word. As a succinct summary of biblical doctrine, it reinforces the essential message of the Gospel and anchors our faith in objective reality rather than shifting opinions.

Living Out Our Declaration

Embracing the Apostles’ Creed is a dual commitment: to the divine identity of Jesus and to His redemptive mission. When we declare, “I believe in Jesus Christ,” we are doing more than reciting words. We are making a profound personal affirmation, proclaiming our trust in Him as Savior and acknowledging Him as Lord of our lives.

This creed, therefore, calls us to live consistently with our confession, encouraging us to grow in understanding and deepen our relationship with Jesus. As His followers, we are to stand firm on these truths and share them with unwavering conviction. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Ultimately, the Apostles’ Creed is far more than a historical document; it is a vibrant, unifying declaration of faith. It centers our beliefs on the undeniable truth of Jesus Christ: the Son of God, our crucified Redeemer, our risen Lord, and our coming King. Through this creed, we confidently proclaim our faith and stand together, united in Him.