Apostles Creed + Brief Commentary

It is rooted in Scripture and therefore very valuable today. It is also easy to understand.

I like the ancientness of this statement. Including it at my website connects me to church history many centuries ago.

Three texts are offered of the one creed: English, Latin, and Greek.

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic [universal]* Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae,
et in Iesum Christum, Filium Eius unicum, Dominum nostrum,
qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine,
passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus,
descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis,
ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis,
inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum,
sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem,
remissionem peccatorum,
carnis resurrectionem,
vitam aeternam.
Amen.

Πιστεύω εἰς θεòν πατέρα, παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς.
Καὶ (εἰς) Ἰησοῦν Χριστòν, υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τòν μονογενῆ, τòν κύριον ἡμῶν,
τòν συλληφθέντα ἐκ πνεύματος ἁγίου, γεννηθέντα ἐκ Μαρίας τῆς παρθένου,
παθόντα ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, σταυρωθέντα, θανόντα, καὶ ταφέντα,
κατελθόντα εἰς τὰ κατώτατα, τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστάντα ἀπò τῶν νεκρῶν,
ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, καθεζόμενον ἐν δεξιᾷ θεοῦ πατρὸς παντοδυνάμου,
ἐκεῖθεν ἐρχόμενον κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς.
Πιστεύω εἰς τò πνεῦμα τò ἅγιον, ἁγίαν καθολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἁγίων κοινωνίαν,
ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν, σαρκὸς ἀνάστασιν, ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
Ἀμήν.

Commentary

Rufinus (c. 404) wrote a commentary on it, and claimed each apostle contributed to it, but he was wrong. However, the creed probably goes back before c. 250 (NIDCC). And it is so biblical that one could call it apostolic. I cannot imagine, to judge from the NT, that any apostle would disagree with it.

*“He descended to the dead” could be translated as “he descended into hades” or the place of the dead. The concept comes from several references in the New Testament. (Some theologians believe it just means “he descended to the grave.”) However, he may indeed have descended into hades to preach to spirits imprisoned there. See the post: Do I Really Know Jesus? Did He Descend into Hades to Preach?

But Renewalists generally don’t fight over such peripheral doctrines.

See my post:

What Are Renewal Movements in Christianity?

**“Catholic” is a Greek word meaning “universal” or the “whole world” or “global.” It goes far beyond the Roman Catholic Church. The term is perfect for the worldwide Renewal.

*** “Communion” comes from Greek koinonia and means “fellowship.” The Bible calls all believers “saints.” Renewal Christians believe that the global church of all variations and denominations deserve their fellowship. Unity around Jesus Christ.

One key phrase is that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate. This locates him in history. Other “gods” coming to earth are difficult to pinpoint in history. Christianity is a distinctly historical religion.

One of the outstanding features of the creed is the clause, “He will come”; that is, he will return. So the Apostles Creed streamlines the second coming of Christ, without predicting dates or even seasons or without matching biblical verses with current events, which change from year to year. No word on the seven-year tribulation or a pretribulation or midtribulation rapture of the church

Rather, Renewalists across the globe have a wide range of interpretations of biblical verses about Jesus’s return. They generally believe that it is best to unify under Jesus, instead of eschatology (doctrine of the Last Things).

The Apostles’ Creed is so basic and biblical that it is easy for worldwide Renewalists to believe all of it.

I don’t believe more commentary is needed, for anyone who knows the basics of the Bible.

Apostles Creed

The Nicene Creed + Commentary

6. Two Natures in One Person: Definition or Creed of Chalcedon + Commentary

Athanasian Creed + Commentary

Is Belief in the Creeds Necessary for Salvation?

The Simplicity of Salvation