Apostles' Creed

<<statement of beliefs>>

This short doctrinal statement of belief summarises aspects of the apostle’s teachings. It was formulated by the early church and is regularly used by liturgical churches.

‘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 into hell. 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 again 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’.

This outline of belief does not state that "Christ died for our sins"and that we have eternal life through faith in Him, which is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16, 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3). The phrase, 'He descended into hell' is better expressed as the state of death, not the literal place. Embracing the creed does not make anyone a Christian.