What do Christians believe? What are the distinctive doctrines that they hold? The Apostles’ Creed is a short statement of doctrines Christians hold dear.
The Apostles’ Creed wasn’t actually written by the Twelve Apostles, but it is an ancient and faithful representation of their teaching. These are the “fundamentals”–the vital doctrines of the Christian faith. We proclaim these truths as being the “deposit of faith” the Lord gave His followers to believe for all time. Ancient Christians used the Apostles Creed as a baptismal creed; that is, it was used to instruct candidates who were to be baptized about the basics of the Biblical faith, so it is right to say that it is a basic statement, intended to be mastered and trusted in both “head and heart” by all who would call themselves Christian.
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: 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 living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit: the holy universal Church; the Communion of Saints; the Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: and the Life everlasting. Amen.
