Explore the Apostles’ Creed: The Foundations of Christian Faith

The Apostles’ Creed is one of Christianity’s oldest and most widely recognized statements of faith. Its brief confession summarizes foundational Christian beliefs about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the Church, and everlasting life. Christians have used this creed for centuries in baptism, worship, and instruction. Its words provide a simple way to confess the faith taught in Scripture. Yet each statement also carries theological meaning worth exploring.

This Apostles’ Creed commentary presents the complete historical text, explains its development, and examines its teachings clause by clause. Scripture remains the final authority. The creed serves as a valuable historical summary of biblical truth.

Quick Facts About the Apostles’ Creed

Category	Information
Name	Apostles’ Creed
Latin name	Symbolum Apostolicum
Origin	Early Western Christian baptismal confessions
Development	Early roots; received wording developed over several centuries
Author	Unknown; not personally composed by the twelve apostles
Original language	Primarily Latin in its received Western form
Main purpose	Confession and instruction in foundational Christian faith
Main subjects	Father, Son, Holy Spirit, salvation, Church, and resurrection
Historic use	Baptism, worship, catechesis, and personal devotion

The Complete Text of the Apostles’ Creed

The following is the traditional received form of the Apostles’ Creed, using the historical English wording printed in Philip Schaff’s Creeds of Christendom, volume II. Editorial alternative readings have been omitted, while the original doctrinal wording is preserved.

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 from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth at 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.

Text source: Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Volume II: The Apostles’ Creed, Received Form. The historical text is in the public domain in the United States.

Reader Note: The expression Holy Ghost means the Holy Spirit. Likewise, quick and dead means the living and the dead.

Historical Background: Where Did the Apostles’ Creed Come From?

Early Christian Confessions and Baptism

The Apostles’ Creed developed from early Christian statements of faith, particularly those used in baptismal instruction.

From the beginning, Christians confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and proclaimed his death and resurrection. Romans 10:9 connects confession of Jesus’ lordship with belief in his resurrection. First Corinthians 15:3-5 preserves an early summary of Christ’s saving death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.

Baptism also shaped Christian confession. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Early Christian communities therefore taught new believers the central truths of this faith.

These teachings gradually appeared in structured baptismal confessions. The Apostles’ Creed preserves that early pattern, moving from the Father to the Son and then to the Holy Spirit.

The Old Roman Creed and the Received Text

An important predecessor was the Old Roman Creed, an early baptismal confession associated with the Church in Rome.

Marcellus of Ancyra preserved a Greek form in the fourth century. Rufinus of Aquileia later discussed a closely related Latin form around AD 400. These witnesses demonstrate that the creed’s central teachings were established before its final wording became standard.

Over time, additional clauses entered the received Western text. These included statements concerning Christ’s descent to the dead, the communion of saints, and everlasting life.

The familiar received form gained widespread acceptance in the Western Church by approximately the seventh and eighth centuries. Its development was gradual, although its central beliefs reached back to much earlier Christian teaching.

Did the Twelve Apostles Write the Creed?

An ancient tradition claimed that the twelve apostles personally composed the creed, each contributing one article.

Historical evidence does not establish that tradition. The text developed through early Christian baptismal confession rather than appearing as a single document written by the apostles.

Its name instead reflects its claim to summarize apostolic teaching. Christians valued the creed because its central affirmations agreed with the faith proclaimed in the New Testament.

The customary twelve-article arrangement remains useful for teaching, even though that division was not necessarily part of the earliest forms.

Historical Timeline: Development of the Apostles’ Creed

1. Second–third centuries: Early Christian rules of faith and baptismal confessions establish the foundational teachings later summarized in the creed.
2. Around AD 340: Marcellus of Ancyra preserves a Greek witness to the Old Roman Creed, demonstrating an established earlier confession.
3. Around AD 400: Rufinus of Aquileia explains an early Western creed and records differences among regional forms.
4. Seventh–eighth centuries: The familiar received wording becomes widely established throughout the Western Church.

Outline: The Main Teachings of the Apostles’ Creed

Division	Articles	Central teaching
God the Father	1	God is Father Almighty and Creator
Jesus Christ	2–7	Christ’s identity, incarnation, death, resurrection, reign, and return
The Holy Spirit and Christian hope	8–12	The Spirit, Church, forgiveness, resurrection, and everlasting life

The creed’s longest section concerns Jesus Christ. This emphasis reflects the central place of his person and saving work in the Christian gospel.

Apostles’ Creed Explained: Line-by-Line Commentary

Article 1: “I Believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of Heaven and Earth”

The opening confession identifies God as Father, Almighty, and Creator. Christian faith begins with the living God who made all things and rules over his creation. Father expresses God’s identity and his eternal relationship to the Son. Through Jesus Christ, believers also receive adoption as God’s children, as Romans 8:15-17 explains.

The word Almighty affirms God’s sovereign power over creation, history, and the fulfillment of his purposes. As Creator, God is the source of everything that exists. Genesis 1:1 introduces this truth, while John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17 reveal the Son’s involvement in creation. The creed therefore begins by confessing the one sovereign God who created and sustains all things.

Scripture Connections: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6-9; Matthew 6:9; John 1:1-3; Romans 8:15-17; Colossians 1:16-17.

Article 2: “And in Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord”

The creed identifies Jesus as Christ, God’s only Son, and our Lord. Christ means Anointed One and identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah. His title connects the fulfillment of God’s promises with his saving mission. Calling Jesus God’s only Son expresses his unique and eternal relationship with the Father. Believers become God’s children through adoption, but Christ is the Son by nature. John 1:14-18 and Hebrews 1:1-4 illuminate this distinction.

The title Lord confesses Christ’s divine authority and rightful rule. Philippians 2:9-11 presents the exalted Jesus receiving universal acknowledgment of his lordship. Christian confession therefore centers on Jesus Christ, the eternal Son who came to redeem sinners and reigns as Lord.

Scripture Connections: Matthew 16:16; John 1:14-18; Romans 10:9-13; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-4.

Article 3: “Who Was Conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary”

This statement confesses the miraculous conception and genuine human birth of Jesus Christ. Luke 1:26-35 describes the angel Gabriel announcing that Mary would conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18-25 likewise presents the conception as God’s supernatural work. Christ’s entrance into the world fulfilled God’s saving purpose through the virgin birth.

His birth from Mary also establishes his real humanity. Jesus entered human history, experienced ordinary human development, and shared our nature without sin. The Incarnation means that the eternal Son truly became man without ceasing to be God. John 1:14 expresses this mystery through the Word becoming flesh.

Scripture Connections: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 4:15.

Article 4: “Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Dead, and Buried”

The mention of Pontius Pilate places Christ’s suffering within identifiable history. Jesus’ crucifixion occurred during the Roman administration of Judea, when Pilate served as governor. The Gospel accounts describe Christ’s trial, condemnation, crucifixion, death, and burial. These events form the historical center of the Christian message. Jesus truly suffered and died, and his burial confirms the reality of his death.

According to Scripture, Christ bore sin and accomplished redemption through his sacrifice. First Corinthians 15:3 declares that Christ died for our sins, while 1 Peter 2:24 connects his suffering with the bearing of human sin. The cross demonstrates both God’s holiness and his saving love. Through Christ’s death, sinners receive reconciliation and forgiveness by grace, while his burial prepares for the proclamation of his resurrection.

Scripture Connections: Matthew 27:11-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 23:13-56; John 19:16-42; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 2:24.

Article 5: “He Descended Into Hell; the Third Day He Rose From the Dead”

This article joins Christ’s genuine death with his victorious resurrection. In traditional English, descended into hell does not necessarily mean that Jesus entered the place of final punishment. The underlying Latin expression concerns the realm of the dead, often discussed through the biblical term Hades. Acts 2:27-31 applies Psalm 16 to Christ’s resurrection and speaks of his soul not being abandoned to Hades. Luke 23:43 also records Jesus promising the repentant criminal that they would be together in Paradise.

Christians have interpreted the descent in several ways. Some understand it as Christ’s entrance into the state or realm of the dead. Others emphasize his suffering under divine judgment or his victory proclaimed over death. First Peter 3:18-20 and Ephesians 4:8-10 appear in these discussions, although their interpretation remains disputed. The essential confession is Christ’s real death and complete victory over death, without requiring speculative descriptions of the unseen world.

On the third day, Jesus rose bodily from the grave. His resurrection vindicated his identity, confirmed his saving work, and established the foundation of Christian hope. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 that Christian faith depends upon the reality of Christ’s resurrection. Through his victory, believers receive the promise of resurrection and everlasting life.

Scripture Connections: Luke 23:43; Luke 24:1-12; Acts 2:24-32; 1 Corinthians 15:12-22; Ephesians 4:8-10; 1 Peter 3:18-20.

Article 6: “He Ascended Into Heaven; and Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty”

Following his resurrection, Christ ascended into heaven. Acts 1:9-11 describes this event and records the promise of his return. The expression God’s right hand signifies Christ’s exalted authority and royal honor rather than a physical position beside a bodily Father. Psalm 110:1 provides important biblical language for Christ’s enthronement, and the New Testament repeatedly applies this passage to Jesus.

Hebrews 1:3 presents the Son seated at God’s right hand after accomplishing purification for sins. Hebrews 7:25 also teaches that Christ continually intercedes for those who approach God through him. Christ’s ascension marks his continuing reign and heavenly ministry. The risen Lord remains actively involved in the salvation and preservation of his people.

Scripture Connections: Psalm 110:1; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:25.

Article 7: “From Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and the Dead”

The creed looks forward to Jesus Christ’s return and final judgment. The expression quick and dead means the living and the dead, affirming that no one stands outside Christ’s authority. Acts 10:42 identifies Jesus as the one appointed by God to judge all humanity. Acts 17:31 likewise teaches that God has appointed a day of righteous judgment through the risen Christ.

For believers, Christ’s return also brings the fulfillment of redemption. First Thessalonians 4:13-18 offers comfort concerning the resurrection of those who have died in Christ. Final judgment displays God’s righteousness and establishes the ultimate defeat of evil. Christian hope therefore includes Christ’s visible triumph, bodily resurrection, final judgment, and the completion of God’s saving purposes.

Scripture Connections: Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 10:42; Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 20:11-15.

Article 8: “I Believe in the Holy Ghost”

The creed’s third major division begins with faith in the Holy Spirit. Holy Ghost is the traditional English expression for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Scripture presents the Spirit as active in creation, revelation, regeneration, sanctification, and the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit is fully divine and personally active in God’s saving work.

Jesus identifies the Spirit as the Helper who teaches and guides his disciples. John 14:16-17 and 14:26 describe this continuing ministry. Acts 5:3-4 connects lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God, while Matthew 28:19 places the Spirit alongside the Father and Son in the baptismal command. The Apostles’ Creed states this belief briefly, while the later Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed explains the Spirit’s divinity and work more extensively.

Scripture Connections: Matthew 28:19; John 14:16-17; John 14:26; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-16; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Article 9: “The Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints”

This article confesses the Church’s identity and the fellowship shared by those who belong to Christ. The word catholic comes from a term meaning universal or according to the whole. In the creed, it describes the Church throughout the world rather than referring exclusively to the modern Roman Catholic denomination. Christians have understood the Church’s visible boundaries differently, but the confession points toward the one people gathered to Christ through the gospel. Ephesians 4:4-6 describes one body, one Spirit, one Lord, and one faith.

The communion of saints expresses the shared life of God’s people. In New Testament language, saints are those set apart to God through Christ. The Latin expression communio sanctorum has two related historical meanings: fellowship among holy people and participation in holy things. The second includes the spiritual gifts and worship shared by believers, particularly participation in the Lord’s Supper. First Corinthians 10:16-17 connects this shared participation with the unity of Christ’s body.

Christian traditions differ in how they explain this fellowship. Catholic and Orthodox traditions emphasize communion with departed believers, while Protestant traditions commonly stress the spiritual union of everyone belonging to Christ. The central biblical teaching is that believers share one life in Christ, expressed through spiritual unity, mutual care, worship, and participation in God’s gifts. The phrase itself does not establish every later practice involving the saints.

Scripture Connections: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:4-6; Hebrews 12:1.

Article 10: “The Forgiveness of Sins”

Forgiveness stands at the center of Christian salvation. Human sin separates people from God and places them under his righteous judgment. Yet God offers forgiveness through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 connects redemption and forgiveness directly to Christ’s blood, while First John 1:9 describes God’s faithfulness in forgiving and cleansing those who confess their sins.

Forgiveness is a gift of divine grace, received through faith in Christ. It cannot be earned by moral achievement, religious ceremonies, or recitation of a creed. Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches that salvation comes by grace through faith and produces good works as its fruit. Christ’s death and resurrection therefore provide the foundation for forgiveness and bring the earlier statements about his saving work into direct personal significance.

Scripture Connections: Psalm 32:1-5; Acts 10:43; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-10; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 1:8-9.

Article 11: “The Resurrection of the Body”

Christian hope includes the future resurrection of the body. Scripture promises the restoration and transformation of God’s redeemed people, rather than salvation consisting simply of a soul escaping physical existence. First Corinthians 15:35-57 explains that the resurrection body will be raised in glory and incorruption. Although transformed, it remains a genuine bodily resurrection.

Jesus’ own resurrection provides the foundation and pattern for this hope. Luke 24:36-43 emphasizes that the risen Christ possessed a real body, while Philippians 3:20-21 promises that Christ will transform believers’ bodies to resemble his glorious body. God’s redemption extends to the whole person. Death will not possess the final word, and the resurrection completes the hope established through Christ’s victory.

Scripture Connections: Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Luke 24:36-43; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.

Article 12: “And the Life Everlasting. Amen”

The creed ends with the promise of everlasting life. Eternal life begins through knowing God in Jesus Christ, as John 17:3 explains. Believers already possess this life through faith, although its final fullness remains future. Revelation 21:1-5 describes the new heaven and new earth, where God dwells with his people and death, mourning, crying, and pain pass away.

Revelation 22:1-5 further portrays the redeemed living before God and reigning forever. The closing Amen expresses agreement, trust, and confidence in God’s promises. The Apostles’ Creed therefore ends with life in God’s presence through Jesus Christ, secured by his saving work and completed in the resurrection and new creation.

Scripture Connections: John 3:16; John 17:3; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-13; Revelation 21:1-5; Revelation 22:1-5.

Important Theological Terms in the Apostles’ Creed

Term	Meaning
Creed	A formal statement confessing religious belief
Apostolic	Consistent with the teaching handed down by Christ’s apostles
Almighty	Possessing supreme divine power and authority
Christ	The Anointed One, or Messiah
Incarnation	The eternal Son of God becoming truly human
Holy Ghost	The Holy Spirit
Hades	The realm or state of the dead, distinct from final punishment
Catholic	Universal, concerning the whole Church
Communion of saints	Shared fellowship among believers and, in historical interpretation, participation in holy things
Resurrection	God’s raising of the dead, culminating in bodily resurrection

These terms help explain the creed’s historical language. More detailed Trinitarian and Christological definitions appear in the later Nicene and Chalcedonian statements.

Historical Doctrinal Questions Behind the Creed

The Apostles’ Creed was primarily a baptismal confession, not the product of a single council. Nevertheless, its teachings helped Christians distinguish apostolic faith from serious doctrinal errors.

Some early movements denied that the Son of God truly possessed human flesh. The creed’s references to Mary’s conception, Christ’s suffering, death, and burial affirm the reality of his humanity.

Other teachings separated the supreme God from the creator of the material world. The opening confession instead identifies the Father Almighty as Creator of heaven and earth.

The resurrection of the body also challenged teachings that treated physical existence as inherently evil or denied its future redemption.

Later Christian debates required more precise theological language. The Nicene Creed clarified the eternal deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Definition of Chalcedon addressed how Christ’s divine and human natures belong to one person.

Thus, the Apostles’ Creed provides the elementary confession upon which later doctrinal explanations build.

Historical Christian Reception

The Apostles’ Creed and its earlier forms became important resources for Christian teaching. Several influential writers help establish this history.

• Irenaeus of Lyons: Writing in the second century, Irenaeus summarized belief in one God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christ’s incarnation, saving work, and future judgment. His Against Heresies, especially Book 1, Chapter 10, preserves a recognizable rule of faith. Irenaeus was not commenting on the final received creed, but his testimony shows that its central teachings were already important.
• Rufinus of Aquileia: Around AD 400, Rufinus produced an Exposition of the Apostles’ Creed. His work explains an early Western confession and compares wording used in different churches. It provides particularly valuable evidence for the development of the descent clause and the use of creeds in baptismal instruction.
• Augustine of Hippo: Augustine addressed creedal teaching in On Faith and the Creed, delivered in AD 393, and in sermons associated with Christian instruction. He explained the Trinity, incarnation, resurrection, and Church as central Christian beliefs. His writings show how early teachers used brief confessions to introduce substantial biblical doctrine.
• Later Western Christianity: The Apostles’ Creed remained influential throughout the medieval Western Church. Martin Luther retained it in his Small Catechism of 1529. John Calvin also discussed its teachings in the Institutes of the Christian Religion, particularly Book II, Chapter 16.

Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, and other Western traditions continue to recognize the creed.

Eastern Orthodox churches share its central Trinitarian and Christological beliefs, although they chiefly use the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed in worship.

Common Misunderstandings About the Apostles’ Creed

Did the Apostles Write It Together? | No reliable historical evidence establishes that the twelve apostles personally wrote the received text. The creed developed from early Christian baptismal confession and summarizes apostolic teaching.

Does “Descended Into Hell” Mean Jesus Was Punished After Death? | Not necessarily. The traditional wording has often been understood as Christ’s descent to the realm of the dead. Christians have offered several interpretations, but the clause should not automatically be equated with Jesus suffering additional punishment after the cross.

Does “Catholic Church” Mean Only the Roman Catholic Church? | The word originally expresses the Church’s universality. Christians disagree about the Church’s visible structure and boundaries, but the word itself is not limited to a modern denominational label.

Is Reciting the Creed Necessary for Salvation? | The creed is a confession of Christian belief, not a means of earning salvation. Scripture teaches salvation through God’s grace, received by faith in Jesus Christ. See Ephesians 2:8-10 and Romans 10:9-13.

Does the Creed Replace the Bible? | No. The creed summarizes biblical teachings and helps Christians confess them. Scripture remains the authoritative standard by which Christian doctrine must be understood and evaluated.

Why the Apostles’ Creed Matters Today

A Foundation for Understanding Christian Belief: The creed gives readers a compact overview of foundational Christianity. Its structure helps believers understand the relationship between God the Father, the saving work of Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It also provides a starting point for deeper Bible study.

A Resource for Worship and Discipleship: Christians have long used the creed in worship, baptismal preparation, and teaching. Its statements can help families and small groups learn the core truths of Christian faith. Memorization may also encourage careful reflection. However, meaningful confession requires understanding and genuine faith, not merely repeating familiar words.

A Reminder of Shared Christian Faith: The Apostles’ Creed expresses beliefs that unite many Christian traditions across centuries. Differences remain concerning church government, sacraments, worship, and particular doctrines. Nevertheless, the creed reminds believers of the foundational truths they confess concerning the Triune God and Jesus Christ. Its lasting value comes from directing attention toward the gospel and the God revealed in Scripture.

Questions for Personal and Group Study

1. How does the Apostles’ Creed summarize the Christian gospel, and which statements seem most important to you?
2. Why does the creed emphasize that Jesus Christ truly became human, suffered, died, and rose again?
3. What does the confession of the Holy Spirit teach about God’s continuing work among believers?
4. How do the communion of saints and forgiveness of sins shape life within the Church?
5. How does the promised resurrection of the body change the Christian understanding of death and everlasting life?

Apostles’ Creed Scripture Reference Guide

Creed teaching	Key biblical passages
God the Father and Creator	Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9; John 1:1-3
Jesus Christ, Son and Lord	John 1:14-18; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-4
Virgin conception and incarnation	Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:14
Christ’s suffering and death	Luke 23; John 19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Descent and resurrection	Acts 2:24-32; Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 15
Ascension and heavenly reign	Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 7:25
Return and final judgment	Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11-15
Holy Spirit	John 14:16-26; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9-16
Church and communion	Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Ephesians 4:4-6
Forgiveness of sins	Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 1:9
Bodily resurrection	1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Philippians 3:20-21
Everlasting life	John 17:3; Revelation 21-22

For additional biblical study, explore the Good Way Library’s Genesis 1 Commentary, Matthew 1 Commentary, Hebrews 1 Commentary, and 1 John 1 Commentary.

These studies examine creation, Christ’s incarnation, his divine identity, and the forgiveness and fellowship offered through him.

Primary Sources and Further Reading

The following historical texts offer reliable starting points for studying the Apostles’ Creed and its reception.

• The Apostles’ Creed: Received Form | Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Volume II. The historic English creed, alongside Latin, Greek, and textual notes.
• The History of the Apostles’ Creed | Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Volume I, Section 7. Historical development, early baptismal confessions, and comparison with the Old Roman Creed.
• Exposition of the Apostles’ Creed | Rufinus of Aquileia. An important early Christian explanation, with evidence for regional creedal forms.
• On Faith and the Creed | Augustine of Hippo, AD 393. An early theological exposition of Christian belief.
• The Good Way Commentary Library | Free chapter-by-chapter Bible commentary for studying the biblical teachings confessed in the creed.

The Apostles’ Creed remains a valuable doorway into historic Christianity. Its statements invite believers to examine Scripture, confess Jesus Christ faithfully, and live in the hope of his resurrection and everlasting kingdom.