Question 50: What is the Apostles’ Creed?

Answer:

The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient and faithful summary of the Christian faith, rooted in the teaching of the apostles. It confesses the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and declares the essential truths of the Gospel that all Christians are called to believe. (Matthew 28:19, Romans 10:9–10, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 2 Timothy 1:13, Jude 1:3)

Full Scripture References

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19 (BSB)

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.” — Romans 10:9–10 (BSB)

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (BSB)

“Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 1:13 (BSB)

“Beloved, although I wanted to write you about our common salvation, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.” — Jude 1:3 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

The Apostles’ Creed is one of the earliest and most widely used confessions of Christian faith. Though not written by the apostles themselves, it faithfully summarizes their teaching and was used in the early Church as a baptismal confession. It provides a concise and clear declaration of what Christians believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the hope of eternal life. It is a unifying expression of the faith once delivered to the saints.

In its Trinitarian structure, the Creed mirrors the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19 and affirms the key doctrines of the Gospel. It begins with God the Father as Creator, confesses Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son who suffered, died, rose again, and will come to judge, and affirms the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. These truths are not merely doctrinal statements, but the foundation of Christian identity and worship.

Anglican worship treasures the Apostles’ Creed as a regular part of daily Morning and Evening Prayer. It is recited by the whole congregation to affirm unity in the faith and to pass that faith to the next generation. Article VIII of the Thirty-Nine Articles declares: “The three Creeds… ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of Holy Scripture.” The Creed is not equal to Scripture, but faithfully reflects its teaching.

Bishop J.C. Ryle once wrote, “Let us cling tightly to the Apostles’ Creed. It contains all things necessary to salvation, and every word is weighted with Gospel truth.” The Creed helps guard against false teaching by setting clear boundaries for Christian belief. It is a teaching tool, a confession of faith, and a shared declaration that binds together Christians across time and cultures. When we say, “I believe,” we stand with the Church through the ages.

More than a recitation of facts, the Apostles’ Creed is a declaration of trust. It calls each believer not only to confess doctrines, but to live them out—to trust in God the Father, follow Jesus Christ, and walk in the Spirit. The Creed points us to Christ, forms our prayers, and strengthens our witness in the world. It is both a summary of belief and a call to discipleship.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) spoke of “the rule of faith” handed down from the apostles: “This faith, received from the apostles and their disciples, is the Church’s treasure… preserved with care, as if in a precious vessel.” — Against Heresies, 1.10.1

Irenaeus pointed to the continuity and unity of apostolic teaching that the Creed encapsulates. Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) referred to an early creed in baptismal use: “This rule of faith… has come down from the beginning of the Gospel, even before any of the Scriptures were written.” — Prescription Against Heretics, 13

Tertullian showed that the Creed existed to guard and transmit the apostolic faith. St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397 AD) taught catechumens the Creed: “The Creed is the seal of a heart which believes… It is the weapon of faith and the foundation of salvation.” — Exposition of the Christian Faith, 1.1

Ambrose viewed the Creed as essential for forming and safeguarding faith in the believer. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) preached: “Let the Creed be your mirror. Look into it, to see if you truly believe all that you profess.” — Sermon 58

Augustine saw the Creed as a spiritual mirror and measure of authentic faith. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) prepared believers for baptism by teaching the Creed: “This summary of faith was not composed by human cleverness but is gathered from the whole of Scripture.” — Catechetical Lectures, 5.12

Cyril affirmed that the Creed was scripturally grounded and necessary for Christian formation.