The Apostles’ Creed (Latin: *Symbolum Apostolorum*) is the oldest Christian statement of faith, summarizing the foundational dogmatic truths of the Gospel once delivered to the saints. Originating around the 2nd century in Rome as a solemn baptismal confession, this unique text became the preeminent declaration of Christian orthodoxy. For millions of believers worldwide, the Creed is not merely a prayer, but a conscious, public declaration of standing with the whole Church in affirming what God has revealed.
This complete guide is designed to provide you with deep spiritual insights, reliable sources, and canonical texts. Here, you will discover the biblical and historical origins of the Creed as the early Church’s weapon against Gnosticism, examine the theological differences between the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, explore the deep meanings of controversial phrases, read the full texts in English (KJV), Latin, and Ukrainian, discover hesychastic contemplative practices, read real-life testimonies, and download a beautifully formatted collection of prayers for print.
1. History of Origin: How the Early Church Fought Gnosticism
The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest extra-biblical Christian confessional document. Pious tradition suggests that on the tenth day after the Ascension, the Twelve Apostles, gathered together at Pentecost, composed this Creed, with each apostle contributing one of its twelve articles. However, historical research indicates that the text developed slightly later—around 200 AD in Rome—as the **“Old Roman Symbol”**, used as a triple interrogatory baptismal confession before candidates were immersed in the holy waters of Baptism.
The primary reason for formulating the Apostles’ Creed was the urgent need to protect the early Church from the dangerous heresy of **Gnosticism** during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Gnostics claimed that the physical world was evil, created by a lesser deity (the demiurge), and therefore Jesus Christ did not possess a real physical body, did not suffer on the cross, and was not physically resurrected (claiming He was merely a spirit or ghost). To refute these deviations, the early Church anchored concrete historical details in the Creed: Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died, was buried, and arose physically on the third day.
2. Apostles’ Creed vs. Nicene Creed: What is the Difference?
Many believers confuse these two major statements of faith, yet they possess distinct histories and purposes:
The Apostles’ Creed: Is older, simpler, and shorter. It is the product of the Western Roman baptismal tradition and is widely accepted in the Catholic Church and most Protestant denominations as a basic declaration of faith.
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (The Symbol of Faith – “I believe in One God…”): Is the only Creed liturgically used in the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was formulated later, at the First (325 AD in Nicaea) and Second (381 AD in Constantinople) Ecumenical Councils. It was created to comprehensively refute the Arian heresy (which denied Christ’s divinity), establishing co-equality of the Son and the Holy Spirit with the Father.
3. Theological Meanings of Controversial Phrases in the Creed
Several phrases within the Apostles’ Creed frequently prompt questions or misunderstandings among modern believers:
- “He descended into hell” (descendit ad inferos): This refers to Christ’s descent into Hades/Sheol after His death on the Cross, as recorded by Saint Peter (1 Peter 3:18-20). He destroyed the gates of death, proclaimed deliverance to the departed souls of Old Testament righteous, and triumphed over the devil.
- “The holy catholic Church” (sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam): Lowercase ‘catholic’ (from Greek *katholikos*) does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church, but means **universal, global, or whole**. It confesses belief that there is one worldwide fellowship of Christians forming the Body of Christ. Orthodox and Protestants alike confess this universal unity.
- “The communion of saints” (sanctorum communionem): Possesses two layers of meaning. First, sharing in holy realities (*sancta*)—above all the Eucharist—which knits all believers into one Body (CCC 960). Second, the living connection of prayer and love uniting all holy persons: on earth, the souls being purified after death, and the saints in heaven interceding for us.
- “The resurrection of the body” (carnis resurrectionem): The literal Latin formulation is **“resurrection of the flesh”**. It was explicitly inserted to counter the Gnostics, affirming that on the last day, not only will our immortal souls live on, but our mortal physical bodies will come to life again, transformed and glorified.
4. Canonical Texts of the Apostles’ Creed
The Text in English
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator 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, died, and was buried; He descended into hell. The third day He rose again 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.
The Latin Original (Symbolum Apostolorum)
Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.
5. Hesychastic Practice and the Confession of Faith
Our website is dedicated to Hesychasm—the Orthodox teachings on inner silence, watchfulness, and the Jesus Prayer. For a hesychast, the Creed is not merely an intellectual list of doctrines, but **the law of spiritual vision**. Watchfulness (nepsis) requires guarding our thoughts strictly within the boundaries of Orthodox Gospel truth, shielding ourselves from demonic delusions (prelest). Confessing our faith daily strengthens our spiritual foundation before we take the prayer rope (komboskini) to practice the unceasing prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”.
6. The Spiritual Laws of Faith: Thanksgiving and Love
Confessing our faith bears fruit only when accompanied by gratitude and love. The Apostle Paul teaches us: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Offer thanks to God for the gift of faith and salvation. Remember Christ’s greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). The Creed reminds us that we are members of one communion; thus, our faith must be proven through active love and mercy, for faith without works is dead.
7. Communal Prayer in the Comments
Communal prayer holds special power before God, as the Savior taught: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). If you need prayer support or wish to pray for the strengthening of faith, we invite you to utilize our community’s strength:
- Leave your prayer requests in the comments below. State the names of those who need prayer. Other readers will read your request and reply with a brief ‘Amen,’ establishing an invisible chain of communal prayer before God.
8. Real-Life Testimonies
Testimony of Anthony, Ivano-Frankivsk (Parish Archives):
“I went through a period of deep spiritual crisis and depression, doubting everything—God, my life’s meaning, and my faith. My spiritual father advised me to read the Creed aloud slowly and mindfully every morning while holding my cross. Within a week, the darkness lifted, doubts dispersed, and I felt peace of mind. Sincere confession of faith is a powerful weapon against despair.”
9. Download the Booklet for Free
You can download beautifully formatted digital files of the complete Creed to print or read offline:
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who wrote the Apostles’ Creed?
While tradition attributes it to the Twelve Apostles, historical evidence indicates that the text emerged around the 2nd century in Rome as a baptismal confession summarizing apostolic doctrine.
2. Is the Apostles’ Creed used in Orthodox Liturgy?
No, Eastern Orthodox Liturgy uses only the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (the Symbol of Faith). The Apostles’ Creed is a Western tradition, yet it is fully respected as orthodox and canonical in its theological content.
3. What does “He descended into hell” mean?
This refers to Christ’s descent into Hades/Sheol after His death on the Cross to destroy the power of death, preach salvation to the departed souls, and deliver the Old Testament righteous.
References (Canonical Links and Literature)
1. CREDO Social-Religious Periodical — History and theology of the Apostles’ Creed. Available online: credo.pro.
2. Writings on the Christian Symbol of Faith — Orthodox hagiographical resources and comparisons. Available online: parafia.org.ua.
3. The Holy Bible — First Epistle of Saint Peter (descent to the dead, 3:18-20, 4:6), Gospel of Matthew (22:37-39).