The Apostles' Creed (Latin: Symbolum Apostolorum or Symbolum Apostolicum), sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol". It is widely used by a number of Christian denominations for both liturgical and catechetical purposes, most visibly by liturgical Churches of Western tradition, including the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and Western Orthodoxy. It is also used by Presbyterians, Methodists, and Congregationalists.
The Apostles' Creed was based on Christian theological understanding of the Canonical gospels, the letters of the New Testament and to a lesser extent the Old Testament. Its basis appears to be the old Roman Creed. Because of the early origin of its original form, it does not address some Christological issues defined in the later Nicene and other Christian Creeds. It thus says nothing explicitly about the divinity of either Jesus or of the Holy Spirit. This makes it acceptable to many Arians and Unitarians. Nor does it address many other theological questions that became objects of dispute centuries later.
The name of the Creed may come from the probably 5th-century tradition that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost, each of the Twelve Apostles dictated part of it. It is traditionally divided into twelve articles. However, Ambrose refers to the "Apostles' Creed" in 390.
It should be noted that Catholic means UNIVERSAL, thus, the use of this Creed by Protestant Churches...
Catholic version (Nicene Creed):
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and life everlasting. Amen.
United Methodist version:
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 Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
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 Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Church of England version:
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 Catholick Church;
The Communion of Saints;
The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting. Amen.
As always, there is doubt, thus negativity, concerning the Apostle's Creed, but, it is embraced by more Churches than not, so, it's usefulness, message, reminders, and effects stand firm. The creed is recited often by Christians during worship services as a way to affirm the central, basic beliefs of their faith.
Well, this is it; CHRISTmas is ending today, but, THE LORD LIVES ON FOREVER, and EVER, HALLELUJAH, ALLELUIA! Let us take from HIM what we might, that we SHINE HIS GLORY from here to eternity! Let us FOLLOW HIM, and build HIM UP, the BODY of THE CHURCH, CHRIST, our LORD JESUS, and SAVIOUR! Let us LOVE as does HE, and let this LOVE BE the evidence of our ONENESS with HIM!!!
I hope that my sharing of the 12 Days of CHRISTmas was enjoyable! I know it got a bit extensive, despite my efforts to keep it simple, but, sometimes, it is necessary, and truthfully, this is as nipped as it gets, considering the subject matters:)))
My LOVE to you, with my PRAYERS, and best wishes for the New Year, hoping that HIS BLESSINGS will overspill into ALL areas of your lives! Take care, and let our FAITHFULNESS SHINE FOR, and TO HIS GLORY!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or, other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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