The Apostles’ Creed
Legend has it that this creed was written by the 12 Apostles, one adding each article/sub-clause under the guidance of the Holy Spirit [see Tyrannius Rufinus]. Lochman:
What we have here in this Rufinus account is obviously a legend – a legend, however, that reflects the enormous prestige that this Creed enjoyed, not only in the ancient church nut also subsequently throughout the whole medieval period, the lone exception of course being the Eastern church that did not share the Western view on this point. [
Jan Milič Lochman, The Faith We Confess: An Ecumenical Dogmatics, trans. David Lewis (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1985), 8]It is generally regarded as the oldest of the creeds, having its origins in the old Symbolum Romanum (Roman Symbol) – a baptismal creed (hence the use of "I believe" rather than the "We believe in the Nicene Creed). This Symbol was used as a public confession of faith – the "I believe" is, then, an expression of commitment, and set in the form of question and answer.
It was refined and amplified – so that in the C3rd there existed a continuous text recited by baptismal candidate. This formula was first referred to as the "Symbol of the Apostles" [letter of the Synod of Milan to Pope Siricius, A.D. 390]
By the C8th ‘The Apostles’ Creed’ had developed from it (recorded by Pirminius, founder of the abbey of Reichenau, south Gm.) and became widely used in the West.
In 1453 Henry VIII changed ‘flesh’ to ‘body’ – and this altered version remains in the English Prayer Books.
Kelly:
The story that the Twelve, meeting in solemn conclave, composed an ‘Apostles’ Creed’ is no doubt a pious fiction. But the second-century conviction that the ‘rule of faith’ believed and taught in the Catholic Church had been inherited from the Apostles contains more than a germ of truth. [J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Creeds, 3rd ed. (London: Longman, 1972), 29]
The Apostles' Creed
I
believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.
I
believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living 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.