View source for Apostles' Creed

{{short description|Early statement of Christian belief}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
[[File:Paris - Bibl. Mazarine - ms. 0924, f 150v.jpg|thumb|Medieval ''Credo Apostolorum'', dated {{circa|1300}} ([[Bibliothèque Mazarine]] ms. 0924 f. 150v). The sequence of attribution to the apostles is: 
1. [[Saint Peter|Peter]],
2. [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]],
3. [[John the Apostle|John]],
4. [[James, son of Zebedee]],<!--sic, paragraphs 3 and 4 are switched-->
5. [[Thomas the Apostle|Thomas]], 
6. [[James, son of Alphaeus]],
7. [[Philip the Apostle|Philip]],
8. [[Bartholomew the Apostle|Bartholomew]],
9. [[Matthew the Apostle|Matthew]],
10. [[Simon the Zealot]],
11. [[Jude the Apostle|Jude Thaddaeus]], 
12. [[Saint Matthias|Matthias]].]]
{{Christianity|expanded=hide}}
The '''Apostles' Creed''' ([[Ecclesiastical Latin|Latin]]: ''Symbolum Apostolorum'' or ''Symbolum Apostolicum''), sometimes titled the '''Apostolic Creed''' or the '''Symbol of the Apostles''', is a [[Christian creed]] or "symbol of faith".

"Its title is first found c.390 (Ep. 42.5 of Ambrose). ... Th[e present] form seems to have had a Hispano-Gallic origin ...".<ref>Williard, H. (2022). Apostles’ Creed. In The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. : Oxford University Press. Retrieved 30 May. 2025</ref> The creed most likely originated as a development of the [[Old Roman Symbol]]: the old Latin creed of the 4th century. It has been used in the [[Latin liturgical rites]] since the 8th century and, by extension, in the various modern branches of [[Western Christianity]], including the modern liturgy and [[catechesis]] of [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]], [[Lutheranism|Evangelical Lutheranism]], [[Calvinist|Reformed]] ([[Continental Reformed Protestantism|Continental Reformed]], [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], [[Congregationalism|Congregationalist]], [[Calvinistic Methodist]] and [[Reformed Baptist]] traditions), [[Moravian Church|Moravianism]], [[Anglicanism]] and [[Methodism]].

It is shorter than the full [[Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed]] adopted in 381, but it is still explicitly [[Trinity|trinitarian]] in structure, with sections affirming belief in [[God the Father]], [[God the Son]], and [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|God the Holy Spirit]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bayes|first=Jonathan F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y5FMAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Apostles%27+Creed+is+trinitarian+in+structure+with+sections+affirming+belief+in+God+the+Father%2C+God+the+Son+and+God+the+Holy+Spirit&pg=PA22|title=The Apostles' Creed: Truth with Passion|date=2010-09-09|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=978-1-60899-539-4|language=en}}</ref> 
It does not address some [[Christology|Christological]] issues defined in the [[Nicene Creed]]. It thus says nothing explicitly about the [[Divinity of Jesus|divinity]] of either [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]] or the Holy Spirit. For this reason, it was held to predate the Nicene Creed in medieval Latin tradition.

The expression "Apostles' Creed" is first mentioned in a letter from the [[Synod of Milan]] dated AD&nbsp;390, referring to a belief at the time that each of the [[Twelve Apostles]] contributed an article to the twelve articles of the creed.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gqrEpBuBGIgC&pg=PA63 | first = Jack | last = Rogers | title = Presbyterian Creeds | publisher = Westminster John Knox Press | year = 1985 | isbn = 978-0-66425496-4 | pages = 62–63}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.reformed.org/documents/apostles_creed_orr.html |first= James |last=Orr |title=The Apostles' Creed |website=International Standard Bible Encyclopedia |publisher=Reformed |access-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110622082715/http://www.reformed.org/documents/apostles_creed_orr.html |archive-date= June 22, 2011 |url-status= live}}</ref>

{{TOC limit|3}}

==History==
The ecclesiastical use of Latin {{Lang|la|symbolum}} for {{Gloss|creed}}—in the sense of "a distinctive mark of Christians", from the sense of Greek [[:wikt:σύμβολον|σύμβολον]], {{Gloss|a sign or token used for identification}}—first occurs around the middle of the 3rd century, in the correspondence of [[Cyprian and Justina|St. Cyprian]] and [[Firmilian|St. Firmilian]], the latter in particular speaking of the [[trinitarian formula]] as the "Symbol of the [[Trinity]]", and recognizing it as an integral part of the rite of [[baptism]].<ref name="CE">{{cite book|url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180717061750/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2018-07-17|website= [[s:en:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Apostles' Creed|Catholic Encyclopedia (year 1913), Vol.1]]|title= The Apostles' Creed in the Catholic Encyclopedia, editions of 1907|language= en|author1= Thurston, Herbert|place= New York|publisher= Robert Appleton Company}}.</ref>
The term {{Lang|la|Symbolum Apostolicum}} appears for the first time in a letter, probably written by [[Ambrose]], from a Council in [[Early centers of Christianity#Milan|Milan]] to [[Pope Siricius]] in about AD&nbsp;390: "Let them give credit to the Symbol of the Apostles, which the Roman Church has always kept and preserved undefiled".<ref>{{cite web|author= Ambrose of Milan |url= http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/ambrose_letters_05_letters41_50.htm#Letter42 | title= Letter 42:5 |publisher= Tertullian.org | access-date = May 19, 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605180149/http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/ambrose_letters_05_letters41_50.htm | archive-date = June 5, 2011 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name = ODCC:AC>{{Citation | contribution = Apostles' Creed | title = Dictionary of the Christian Church | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2005 | isbn = 978-0192802903 | page = 90}}.</ref> 
Ambrose's term is here referring to the [[Old Roman Creed]], the immediate<ref>{{cite book |last1=Denzinger |first1=Henry |title=The Sources of Catholic Dogma |date=1957 |publisher=B. Herder Book Co |page=4 |edition=30th}}</ref> predecessor of what is now known as the Apostles' Creed.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C4I9AAAAYAAJ | first = Gardiner Mumford | last = Day | title = The Apostles' Creed: an interpretation for today | publisher = Scribner | year = 1963 | page = 33}}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=woD7QYAjV3QC | first = Arthur Cushman | last = McGiffert | title = The Apostles' Creed: Its Origin, Its Purpose, and Its Historical Interpretation | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0559851995 | page = 42| publisher = BiblioBazaar }}.</ref> 
The narrative of this creed having been jointly created by the Apostles, with each of the twelve contributing one of twelve articles, was already current at that time.<ref name = ODCC:AC />

[[File:Somme le Roy f.10v (cropped).png|thumb|This illumination from a 13th-century manuscript shows the apostles writing the Creed, receiving inspiration from the Holy Spirit.]]
The [[Old Roman Creed]] had evolved from simpler texts based on Matthew 28:19,<ref name= ODCC:AC /> part of the [[Great Commission]], and it has been argued that this earlier text was already in written form by the late [[Christianity in the 2nd century|2nd century]] (c. 180).<ref name= ODCC:AC/><ref>{{Citation | title = Documents of the Christian Church | edition = 2nd | editor-first = Henry | editor-last = Bettenson | publisher = London | year = 1963 | page = 23}}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | first = Joseph | last = Lynch | title = The Medieval Church | publisher = Longman | place = London and New York | year = 1992 | page = 7}}.</ref>

The earliest known formula is found within {{Lang|la|Testamentum in Galilaea D[omini]. N[ostri]. I[esu]. Christi}} written between 150 and 180. This formula states: "[I believe] in the Father almighty, – and in Jesus Christ, our Savior; – and in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in the holy Church, and in the remission of sins." As can be seen, it lacks the Christological part of the Old Roman Creed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Denzinger |first1=Henry |date=1957 |publisher=B. Herder Book Co |page=3 |edition=30th |url=https://isidore.co/CalibreLibrary/Denzinger,%20Heinrich/The%20Sources%20of%20Catholic%20Dogma%20(30th%20ed.)%20(6229)/The%20Sources%20of%20Catholic%20Dogma%20(30th%20ed.)%20-%20Denzinger,%20Heinrich.pdf |title=The Sources of Catholic Dogma |access-date=August 31, 2024|mode=cs2}}</ref>

While the individual statements of belief that are included in the Apostles' Creed – even those not found in the [[Old Roman Symbol]] – are found in various writings by [[Irenaeus]], [[Tertullian]], [[Novatian]], [[Marcellus of Ancyra|Marcellus]], [[Tyrannius Rufinus|Rufinus]], [[Ambrose]], [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]], [[Nicetas of Remesiana|Nicetas]], and [[Eusebius Gallus]],<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/creeds2.iv.i.i.v.html |title= Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical notes | volume = II. The History of Creeds | publisher = Christian Classics Ethereal Library | date= July 13, 2005 | access-date = May 19, 2011}}</ref> the earliest appearance of what we know as the Apostles' Creed was in the {{Lang|la|De singulis libris canonicis scarapsus}} ({{Gloss|Excerpt from Individual Canonical Books}}) of [[Saint Pirmin|St. Pirminius]] ([[Jacques Paul Migne|Migne]], ''[[Patrologia Latina]]'' 89, 1029 ff.), written between 710 and 714.<ref>{{Citation | first = JND | last = Kelly | title = Early Christian Creeds | edition = third | place = London | publisher = Longman, Green & Co | year = 1972 | pages = 398–434}}.</ref> Bettenson and Maunder state that it is first from {{Lang|la|Dicta Abbatis Pirminii de singulis libris canonicis scarapsus}} ({{Lang|la|idem quod excarpsus}}, excerpt), c. 750.<ref>{{Citation | last1 = Bettenson | first1 = Henry | first2 = Chris | last2 = Maunder | title = Documents of the Christian Church | edition = 3 | place = New York | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 1999 | page = 26}}.</ref>

The text of what is now known as the Apostles' Creed was most likely developed in southern Gaul around the midpoint of the 5th century.<ref name = "Newadvent">{{Citation | title = Catholic Encyclopedia | contribution = Origin of the Creed | publisher = New advent | contribution-url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm}}.</ref> A creed that is virtually identical to the current one is recorded by [[Faustus of Riez]]. It is possible that Faustus had the identical text, as the original text written by Faustus cannot be reconstructed with certainty. A version that is identical to the current one with the single exception of {{Lang|la|infera}} in place of {{Lang|la|inferos}} is recorded in the late 5th century. However, the Old Roman Creed remained the standard liturgical text of the Roman Church throughout the 4th to 7th centuries. It was replaced by the "Gallic" version of the Apostles' Creed only in the later 8th century, under [[Charlemagne]], who imposed it throughout his dominions.<ref>Clemens Blume, ''Das Apostolische Glaubensbekenntniß'' (1893), 186f.</ref><ref name =ODCC:AC/>

The phrase {{lang|la|descendit ad inferos}} ('[[Harrowing of Hell|he descended into hell]]') is not found in the Nicene Creed. It echoes Ephesians 4:9,<ref>{{bibleverse ||Ephesians|4:9|NIV}}</ref> "{{Lang|grc|κατέβη εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς}}" ({{Gloss|he descended into the lower earthly regions}}).<ref>{{Citation | first = Wolfgang | last = Trillhaas | contribution = Creeds, Lutheran Attitude Toward | title = The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church | editor-first = Julius | editor-last = Bodensieck | place = Minneapolis | publisher = Augsburg | volume = A–E | page = 629}}.</ref> This phrase first appeared in one of the two versions of Rufinus (d. 411), the [[Old Roman Symbol|Creed of Aquileia]], and then did not appear again in any version of the creed until AD&nbsp;650.<ref>{{Citation | first = Wayne A | last = Grudem | title = Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine | place = Leicester, [[England]]; Grand Rapids, Michigan | publisher = Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan | year = 2004 | page = 586}}.
Cf. {{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2711.htm |last=Rufinus |author-link=Tyrannius Rufinus |title=Commentary on the Apostles' Creed |website=newadvent.org |access-date=October 1, 2016|mode=cs2}}</ref>
Similarly, the references to the [[communion of saints]] is found neither in the Old Roman Symbol nor in the Nicene Creed.
The reference to God as "creator of heaven and earth" likewise is not in the Nicene Creed of 325, but it is present in the extended version of the Nicene Creed (the [[Nicene Creed|Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed]]) of 381.

The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] does not use the Apostles' Creed, not because of an objection to any of its articles, but because of its omissions necessary for the definition of [[Nicene Creed|Nicene Christianity]]. The Orthodox delegates at the [[Council of Florence]] (1431–1449) explicitly challenged the western tradition that attributed the Apostles' Creed to the Twelve Apostles. This tradition was also shown to be historically untenable by [[Lorenzo Valla]].<ref>Dorothea Sattler. "Apostolisches Glaubensbekenntnis. I. Dogmen- und Theologiegeschichte". In: Walter Kasper (ed.). ''Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche''. 3rd ed., vol. 1, Herder, Freiburg im Breisgau 1993, c. 878f.</ref> The Roman Church does not state that text dates back to the Apostles themselves, the Roman catechism instead explaining that "the Apostles' Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith."<ref>Patristic Bible Commentary, [https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/apostle-s-creed/catechism-of-the-catholic-church-on-the-apostles-creed Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Apostles' Creed], citing St. Ambrose, Expl. symb. 7: [[Patrologia Latina|PL]] 17, 1196.</ref>

==Text==
The following gives the original Latin text, with the traditional division into twelve articles,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P13.HTM |title= English translation of the Apostles' Creed | work = The Catechism of the Catholic Church | publisher =Holy See |date= March 25, 1997 |access-date= April 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P14.HTM | work =English translation of the Apostles' Creed | title=Part I, Section II | publisher = Holy See | access-date = May 19, 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514000646/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P14.HTM | archive-date = May 14, 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> alongside an English translation. Underlined passages are those not present in the [[Old Roman Symbol]] as recorded by [[Tyrannius Rufinus]].
{{listen |filename=Credo_(Creed).ogg|title=Credo|description = The Creed in Latin spoken with the [[Ecclesiastical Latin|Ecclesiastical pronunciation]] of [[Latin]]}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|
1. {{lang|la|Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, <u>Creatorem caeli et terrae</u>}}, 
| I believe in God the Father almighty, <u>Maker of heaven and earth</u>,
|-
|
2. {{lang|la|et in Iesum Christum, Filium Eius unicum, Dominum nostrum,}} 
| and in [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus Christ]], His only Son, our Lord, 
|-
|
3. {{lang|la|qui <u>conceptus est</u> de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine,}}
| who was <u>conceived</u> of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,
|-
|
4. {{lang|la|<u>passus</u> sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, <u>mortuus</u>, et sepultus,}}
|  who <u>suffered</u> under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, <u>died</u>, and was buried,
|-
|
5. {{lang|la|<u>descendit ad inferos</u>, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis,}} 
|  <u>descended into hell</u>,<!--ad inferos, to the underworld--> rose again from the dead on the third day,
|-
|
6. {{lang|la|ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram <u>Dei</u> Patris <u>omnipotentis</u>,}} 
|  ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of <u>God</u> the Father <u>almighty</u>,
|-
|
7. {{lang|la|inde venturus est<br>iudicare vivos et mortuos.}}
| who will come again<br>to judge the living and the dead.
|-
|
8. {{lang|la|<u>Credo</u> in Spiritum Sanctum,}}
| <u>I believe</u> in the Holy Spirit,
|-
|
9. {{lang|la|sanctam Ecclesiam <u>catholicam,<br>sanctorum communionem</u>,}}
| the holy <u>catholic</u> Church,<br><u>the communion of saints</u>,
|-
|
10. {{lang|la|remissionem peccatorum,}}
| the forgiveness of sins,
|-
|
11. {{lang|la|carnis resurrectionem,}}
| the resurrection of the body,
|-
|
12. {{lang|la|vitam aeternam. Amen.}}<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism_lt/p1s1c3a2_lt.htm#SYMBOLUM%20FIDEI |trans-title=Faith symbol | title = Symbolum Fidei | work = Catechismus Catholicae Ecclesiae | language = la | publisher=Vatican |date= June 25, 1992 | access-date = August 5, 2014}}</ref> 
| and the life everlasting. Amen.
|-
|}

There is also a received Greek text, which alongside the Latin is found in the {{lang|la|Psalterium Græcum et Romanum}}, 
erroneously ascribed to [[Pope Gregory the Great]]. It was first edited by [[Archbishop Ussher]] in 1647, based on a manuscript preserved in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
The Latin text agrees with the "Creed of Pirminius" edited by [[Charles Abel Heurtley]] ({{lang|la|De Fide Symbolo}}, 1900, p.&nbsp;71). Four other Greek translations with slight variations were discovered by [[Carl Paul Caspari]], and published 
in 1879 ({{lang|de|Alte und neue Quellen zur Geschichte des Taufsymbols}}, vol. 3, pp.&nbsp;11 sqq.).<ref>{{unordered list|{{cite book |last=Bird |first=Michael F. |author-link=Michael F. Bird |date=July 5, 2016 |title=What Christians ought to believe: an introduction to Christian doctrine through the Apostles' Creed |url={{Google books|WLXxCgAAQBAJ|page=185|plainurl=yes}} |location=New York City |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |page=185 |isbn=978-0-310-52093-1}} |{{Citation |url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/creeds2.iv.i.i.i.html |title=Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical notes |volume=II. The History of Creeds |publisher=[[CCEL]] |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=September 29, 2016}}.}}</ref>
<!--This is the Greek text given by Shaff, apparently based on the one edited by Ussher. 
{{poemquote|
Πιστεύω εἰς Θεὸν πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, Ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς.
Καὶ (εἰς) Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν, Υἱὸν Αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν,
  τὸν συλληφθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος ἁγίου, γεννηθέντα ἐκ Μαρίας τῆς παρθένου,
  παθόντα ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, σταυρωθέντα, θανόντα, καὶ ταφέντα,
  κατελθόντα εἰς τὰ κατώτατα, τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστάντα ἀπò τῶν νεκρῶν,
  ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, καθεζόμενον ἐν δεξιᾷ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς παντοδυνάμου,
  ἐκεῖθεν ἐρχόμενον κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς.
Πιστεύω εἰς τò Πνεῦμα τò ἅγιον, ἁγίαν καθολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν, ἁγίων κοινωνίαν,
  ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν, σαρκὸς ἀνάστασιν, ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
Ἀμήν.}}
-->

The tradition of assigning each article to one of the apostles specifically can be traced to the 6th century. In Western sacral art, {{lang|la|Credo Apostolorum}} refers to the figurative representation of the twelve apostles each alongside one of the articles. 
This artistic tradition extends from the high medieval to the Baroque period.

The precise division of the text and the sequence of attribution to the apostles has never been entirely fixed. 
For example, [[Pelbartus Ladislaus of Temesvár]], writing in the late 15th century, divides article 5 in two but combines articles 11 and 12 into one, with the following attributions: 
{{unbulleted list
|1. [[Saint Peter|Peter]],
|2. [[John the Apostle|John]],
|3. [[James, son of Zebedee]],
|4. [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]],
|5a. [[Philip the Apostle|Philip]],
|5b. [[Thomas the Apostle|Thomas]], 
|6. [[Bartholomew the Apostle|Bartholomew]],
|7. [[Matthew the Apostle|Matthew]],
|8. [[James, son of Alphaeus]],
|9. [[Simon the Zealot]],
|10. [[Jude the Apostle|Jude Thaddaeus]], 
|11–12. [[Saint Matthias|Matthias]].<ref>Sermones Pomerii de sanctis II. Pars aestivalis. Sermo XXVII.: Item in divisionis apostolorum festo. [[Hagenau]] 1499.<!--
''Petrus dicens: Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem etc. Secundum Iohannes dicens: Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum. Tertium posuit Iacobus maior dicens: Qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine. Quartum Andreas dicens: Passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus et sepultus est. Quintum Philippus dicens: Descendit ad inferna. Sextum Thomas dicens: Tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Septimum Bartholomaeus dicens: Ascendit ad caelos, sedet etc. Octavum Matthaeus dicit: Inde venturus est iudicare vivos etc. Nonum Iacobus minor dicens: Credo in Spiritum Sanctum. Decimum Simon dicit: Sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem. Undecimum Thaddaeus dicens: Remissionem peccatorum, et duodecimum Mathias dicens: Carnis resurrectionem et vitam aeternam.''
--></ref>}}<!--
The division into twelve articles is found also in [[Anabaptist theology|Anabaptist catechesis]]:
{{poemquote|''Leonhart:'' Which of the articles of the creed deal with baptism?
''Hans:'' The ninth and tenth articles, where we confess the universal Christian church, the fellowship of the saints and forgiveness of sins, just as the Lord's Supper is also included there.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Pipkin |editor1-first=H. Wayne |editor2-last=Yoder |editor2-first=John Howard |editor2-link=John Howard Yoder |date=1989 |title=Balthasar Hubmaier, theologian of Anabaptism |url={{Google books|WYnZAAAAMAAJ|page=351|plainurl=yes}} |location=[[Scottdale, Pennsylvania]] |publisher=Herald Press |page=351 |isbn=0-8361-3103-7 |mode=cs2}}; cf. p.&nbsp;239: {{Citation |last=Hubmaier |first=Balthasar |title=Twelve articles in prayer form |year=1527 |location=Nikolsburg |quote=O my Lord Jesus Christ, institute once again the two bands, namely water baptism and the Supper, with which thou has outwardly girded and bound thy bride.}}</ref>}}
-->

==Liturgical use in Western Christianity==

[[File:Benedetto di Bindo — Articles of the Creed.jpg|thumb|[[Benedetto di Bindo]], Articles of the Creed, 1412]]

The Apostles' Creed is used in its direct form or in interrogative forms by Western Christian communities in several of their [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] rites, in particular those of [[baptism]] and the [[Eucharist]].

=== Rite of baptism ===
The Apostles' Creed, whose present form is similar to the baptismal creed used in Rome in the third and fourth centuries, actually developed from questions addressed to those seeking baptism.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apostles-Creed|title=Apostles' Creed |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref> The Catholic Church still today uses an interrogative form of it in the Rite of Baptism (for both children and adults). In the official English translation ([[International Commission on English in the Liturgy|ICEL]], 1974) the minister of baptism asks:
{{poemquote|Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?}}

To each question, the catechumen, or, in the case of an infant, the parents and [[Sponsor (Christianity)|sponsor(s)]] (godparent(s)) in his or her place, answers "I do." Then the celebrant says:
{{blockquote|This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.}}

And all respond: Amen.

The [[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand]] uses the Apostles' Creed in its baptism rite in spite of the reservations of some of its members regarding the phrase "born of the virgin Mary".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://knoxchurch.net/2015/09/30/why-use-the-apostles-creed-in-a-baptism/|title=Why use the Apostles' Creed in a baptism?|date=September 29, 2015|website=Knox Church Dunedin|access-date=2022-01-15|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203030506/https://knoxchurch.net/2015/09/30/why-use-the-apostles-creed-in-a-baptism/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]] uses the Apostles' Creed as part of a Baptismal Covenant for those who are to receive the Rite of Baptism. The Apostles' Creed is recited by candidates, sponsors and congregation, each section of the Creed being an answer to the celebrant's question, "Do you believe in God the Father (God the Son, God the Holy Spirit)?"<ref>{{cite book|title=Holy Baptism |work=The (Online) Book of Common Prayer|date=1979|publisher=The Episcopal Church|edition=revised 2007|url=https://www.bcponline.org/Baptism/holybaptism.html|access-date=22 April 2018}}</ref> It is also used in an interrogative form at the [[Easter Vigil]] in The Renewal of Baptismal Vows.<ref>''The Book of Common Prayer'' (1979). New York: Church Publishing. pp. 292–293.</ref>

The [[Church of England]] likewise asks the candidates, sponsors and congregation to recite the Apostles' Creed in answer to similar interrogations, in which it avoids using the word ''God'' of the Son and the Holy Spirit, asking instead: "Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?", and "Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?" Moreover, "where there are strong pastoral reasons", it allows use of an alternative formula in which the interrogations, while speaking of "God the Son" and "God the Holy Spirit", are more elaborate but are not based on the Apostles' Creed, and the response in each case is: "I believe and trust in him."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/christian-initiation/baptism-and|title=Baptism and Confirmation|website=The Church of England|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref> The ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' may also be used, which in its rite of baptism has the minister recite the Apostles' Creed in interrogative form. Asking the godparents or, in the case "of such as are of Riper Years", the candidate: "Dost thou believe in God the Father ..." The response is: "All this I {{Not a typo|stedfastly}} believe."<ref>''Book of Common Prayer'': "[https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/public-baptism-infants The Ministration of Public Baptism to Infants]"; "[https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/public-baptism-such-are-riper The Order of Baptism for those of Riper Years]"</ref>

[[Lutheran]]s following the ''[[Lutheran Service Book]]'' ([[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]] and the [[Lutheran Church–Canada]]), like Catholics and Anglicans, use the Apostles' Creed during the Sacrament of Baptism:
{{poemquote|Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth?
Do you believe 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead?
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting?}}

Following each question, the candidate answers: "Yes, I believe". If the candidates are unable to answer for themselves, the sponsors are to answer the questions.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Lutheran Service Book|last=The Commission on Worship of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod|publisher=[[Concordia Publishing House]]|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7586-1217-5|location=St. Louis|pages=268–271}}</ref>

For ELCA ([[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]) Lutherans who use the [[Evangelical Lutheran Worship]] book, the Apostles' Creed appears during the Sacrament of Holy Baptism Rite on p.&nbsp;229 of the hardcover pew edition.

The [[United Methodist Church]] in the United States uses the Apostles' Creed as part of their baptismal rites in the form of an interrogatory addressed to the candidate(s) for baptism and the whole congregation as a way of professing the faith within the context of the Church's sacramental act. For infants, it is the professing of the faith by the parents, sponsors, and congregation on behalf of the candidate(s); for confirmands, it is the professing of the faith before and among the congregation. For the congregation, it is a reaffirmation of their professed faith.
{{poemquote|Do you believe in God?
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I believe 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
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.<ref>{{Citation | title = The United Methodist Hymnal | chapter = Baptismal Covenant I | page = 35}}.</ref>}}

=== Eucharistic rite ===
Since the 2002 edition, the Apostles' Creed is included in the [[Roman Missal]] as an alternative, with the indication, "Instead of the [[Nicene Creed|Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed]], especially during Lent and Easter time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostles' Creed, may be used."<ref>{{Citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IwV6-e0juMEC&q=Roman+Missal+%22baptismal+Symbol%22&pg=PA528 |title=Roman Missal |publisher=Liturgy Training Publications |year=2011 |access-date=2 February 2019|isbn=9781568549910 }}.</ref> Previously the Nicene Creed was the only profession of faith that the Missal gave for use at [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]], except in Masses for children; but in some countries use of the Apostles' Creed was already permitted.

=== Canonical hours ===
The Apostles' Creed is used in [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] services of [[Matins]] and [[Evening Prayer (Anglican)|Evening Prayer (Evensong)]]. It is invoked after the recitation or singing of the [[Canticle]]s, and is the only part of the services in which the congregation traditionally turns to face the altar, if they are seated transversely in the [[Choir (architecture)|quire]].

The Episcopal Church (United States) uses the Apostles' Creed in Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.<ref>''The Book of Common Prayer'' (1979). New York: Church Publishing. p. 66 (Evening Prayer, Rite I, traditional), p. 120 (Evening Prayer, Rite II, ICET).</ref>

Before the 1955 [[General Roman Calendar of Pope Pius XII|simplification of the rubrics]] of the [[Roman Breviary]] by [[Pope Pius XII]], the Apostles' Creed was recited at the beginning of [[matins]] and [[prime (liturgy)|prime]], at the end of [[compline]], and in some ''[[preces]]'' (a series of [[versicle]]s and responses preceded by, [[eleison]] ("Lord, have mercy") and the [[Our Father]]) of prime and compline<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2010/10/compendium-of-reforms-of-roman-breviary_24.html|title=Compendium of the Reforms of the Roman Breviary, 1568 - 1961: Part 9.1 - The Simplified Rubrics of 1955}}</ref> on certain days during Advent and Lent.

==Indulgence==
Recitation of the ''Apostles' Creed'' or the ''[[Nicene Creed|Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]'' is required to obtain a partial [[indulgence]].<ref>''[[Enchiridion Indulgentiarum]]'', ''Concessiones'', No. 28 §3, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 4th edition, 2004. {{ISBN|88-209-2785-3}}.</ref>

==Liturgical English translations==

===Ecumenical (interdenominational) versions===
[[File:First Four Articles of the Creed tapestry.jpg|thumb|15th-century Flemish tapestry illustrating the first four articles of the Creed]]

==== International Consultation on English Texts ====
The International Consultation on English Texts (ICET), a first inter-church ecumenical group that undertook the writing of texts for use by English-speaking Christians in common, published ''Prayers We Have in Common'' (Fortress Press, 1970, 1971, 1975). Its version of the Apostles' Creed was adopted by several churches.<ref name=CNCC>{{cite web|title=The Apostles' Creed|url=https://www.cardinalnewman.com.au/images/stories/downloads/The%20Apostles%20Creed.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.cardinalnewman.com.au/images/stories/downloads/The%20Apostles%20Creed.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|publisher=Cardinal Newman Catechist Consultants|access-date=2 June 2019|date=2008}}</ref><ref name=JVB>{{cite journal |last1=Vanden Bosch |first1=James |date=December 1989 |title=Revised But Not Standard |url=https://www.reformedworship.org/article/december-1989/revised-not-standard |journal=Reformed Worship |issue=14 |access-date=2 June 2019 }}</ref>

{{poemquote|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 to the dead.
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 the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
}}

==== English Language Liturgical Consultation ====
The [[English Language Liturgical Consultation]] (ELLC), a successor body to the International Consultation on English Texts (ICET), published in 1988 a revised translation of the Apostles' Creed. It avoided the word ''his'' in relation to God and spoke of Jesus Christ as "God's only Son" instead of "his only Son". In the fourth line, it replaced the personal pronoun ''he'' with the relative ''who'', and changed the punctuation, so as no longer to present the Creed as a series of separate statements. In the same line it removed the words ''the power of''. It explained its rationale for making these changes and for preserving other controverted expressions in the 1988 publication ''Praying Together'', with which it presented its new version:<ref>{{cite web|title=Praying Together|url=https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a42fbdb2/files/uploaded/praying.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/a42fbdb2/files/uploaded/praying.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|publisher=English Language Liturgical Consultation|access-date=2 June 2019|page=22|date=1988}}</ref>

{{poemquote|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 to the dead.
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 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.
}}

===Catholic Church===
The initial (1970) English official translation of the [[Roman Missal]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] adopted the ICET version, as did catechetical texts such as the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]''.<ref name=CNCC/><ref name=JVB/>

In 2008, the Catholic Church published a new English translation of the texts of the [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]] of the [[Roman Rite]], the use of which came into force at the end of 2011. It included the following translation of the Apostles' Creed:<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Order-of-Mass.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Order-of-Mass.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Order of Mass |publisher=International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. |year=2010 |page=10 |access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.catholic.org.au/all-downloads/bishops-commissions-1/bishops-commission-for-liturgy-1/national-liturgical-music-board-1/971-new-english-translations-of-ordo-missae-to-be-set-to-music-1/file |title=New English translations of Ordo Missae to be set to music |publisher=[[Catholic Church in Australia]] |date=13 April 2010 |access-date=16 June 2019 |format=PDF |page=5}}.
</ref>

{{poemquote|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;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
}}

===Church of England===
In the [[Church of England]] there are currently two authorized forms of the creed: that of the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' (1662) and that of ''[[Common Worship]]'' (2000).
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
'''''Book of Common Prayer''''', 1662<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.vulcanhammer.org/anglican/bcp-1662.pdf |title= The Book of Common Prayer (original text) |access-date= May 19, 2011 |publisher= Vulcan hammer |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110516142258/http://www.vulcanhammer.org/anglican/bcp-1662.pdf |archive-date= May 16, 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/bcp/texts/mpep/morning.html |title= The Order for Morning Prayer |publisher= Anglican | access-date= May 19, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090419150259/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/bcp/texts/mpep/morning.html| archive-date=April 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/book-of-common-prayer/the-order-for-evening-prayer.aspx |title=The Order for Evening Prayer | publisher= Anglican | access-date= May 19, 2011}}</ref>
<poem>
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,{{efn|In a suggested revision of 1923, this line has "of the Holy Ghost".<ref>{{cite book|title=A Suggested Prayer Book, Being the text of the English Rite altered and enlarged in accordance with the Prayer Book Revision proposals made by the English Church Union|date=1923|page=13|url=http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/CofE1928/ECU/Green_Book.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124113731/http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/CofE1928/ECU/Green_Book.pdf|archive-date=November 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1637) has "which was conceived of the holy Ghost".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Book of Common Prayer for Scotland|date=1637|chapter-url=http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Scotland/Confirmation_1637.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711140834/http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Scotland/Confirmation_1637.htm|archive-date=July 11, 2015|chapter=The Order of Confirmation|url-status=live}}</ref> This goes back to the [[Book of Common Prayer (1559)|1559 ''Book of Common Prayer'']], which has "whiche was conceived of the holy Ghost".<ref>{{cite book|title=The Book of Common Prayer|date=1559|chapter-url=http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1559/Confirmation_1559.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516050041/http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1559/Confirmation_1559.htm|archive-date=May 16, 2015|chapter=Confirmacion|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
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 {{not a typo|Catholick}}<!--DO NOT CHANGE SPELLING OR CAPITALIZATION. While other Anglican texts, even of the Church of England, may present it differently, "Catholick" is the spelling and capitalization used in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. --> Church;
The Communion of Saints;
The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting.
Amen.
</poem>
{{col-2}}
'''''Common Worship'''''<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/apostles-creed |title=Creeds and Authorized Affirmations of Faith |publisher=Church of England | access-date= August 16, 2021}}</ref>
<poem>
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come 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.
</poem>
{{col-end}}

===Lutheran Church===
In Luther's preface to his '[[Luther's Small Catechism|Small Catechism]]' which makes up part of the [[Book of Concord]] that contains the symbolical documents of the Lutheran Church, it is suggested to commit the Creed, along with the [[Ten Commandments|Decalogue]] and [[Lord's Prayer]] to memory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luther's Preface to the Small Catechism |url=https://bookofconcord.org/small-catechism/preface/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=bookofconcord.org |language=en}}</ref>

====''Evangelical Lutheran Worship''====
The publication ''[[Evangelical Lutheran Worship]]'' published by Augsburg Fortress, is the primary worship resource for the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, and the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada]]. It presents the official ELCA version, footnoting the phrase "he descended to the dead" to indicate an alternative reading: "or 'he descended into hell', another translation of this text in widespread use".

The text is as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Apostles_Creed_Evangelical_Lutheran_Worship.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Apostles_Creed_Evangelical_Lutheran_Worship.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=The Apostles' Creed}}</ref>

{{poemquote|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 to the dead.* 
     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 to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 
     the holy catholic church,{{efn|Another alternative reading is "Christian church" instead of ''catholic'' to differentiate it from the [[Catholic Church]].}} 
     the communion of saints, 
     the forgiveness of sins, 
     the resurrection of the body, 
     and the life everlasting. Amen.}}

====Church of Denmark====
{{Expand language|langcode=da|otherarticle=Den apostolske trosbekendelse|section=yes|date=October 2025}} 
The [[Church of Denmark]] started using the phrase, from the [[baptismal vows]] "We renounce the devil and all his doings and all his beings" as the beginning of this creed, before the line "We believe in God etc." This is mostly due to the influence of the Danish pastor [[N. F. S. Grundtvig|Grundtvig]].

===United Methodist Church===
The [[United Methodist Church|United Methodists]] in the USA commonly incorporate the Apostles' Creed into their worship services. The version which is most often used is located at No. 881 in the ''[[United Methodist Hymnal]]'', one of their most popular hymnals and one with a heritage to brothers [[John Wesley]] and [[Charles Wesley]], founders of [[Methodism]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://catalystresources.org/issues/272yee.html |title= Contemporary Evangelical Perspectives |publisher= Catalyst resources |access-date= May 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110518093223/http://catalystresources.org/issues/272yee.html |archive-date= May 18, 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://catalystresources.org/issues/312knight.html |title= Contemporary Evangelical Perspectives |publisher= Catalyst resources |access-date= May 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110518093227/http://catalystresources.org/issues/312knight.html |archive-date= May 18, 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref> It is notable for omitting the line "he descended into hell", but is otherwise very similar to the Book of Common Prayer version. The 1989 Hymnal has both the traditional version and the 1988 ecumenical version,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/apostles-creed-traditional-ecumenical | title = Apostle's Creed Traditional and Ecumenical Versions | publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date= July 15, 2015 }}</ref> which includes "he descended to the dead".

The Apostles' Creed as found in ''The Methodist Hymnal'' of 1939 also omits the line "he descended..."<ref>''The Methodist Hymnal'' (1939). Nashville: The Methodist Publishing House. p. 512.</ref> ''The Methodist Hymnal'' of 1966 has the same version of the creed, but with a note at the bottom of the page stating, "Traditional use of this creed includes these words: 'He descended into hell.{{'"}}<ref>''The United Methodist Hymnal'' (1966). Nashville: The Methodist Publishing House. #738.</ref>

However, when the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the United States in 1784, John Wesley sent the new American Church a Sunday Service which included the phrase "he descended into hell" in the text of the Apostles' Creed.<ref>Wesley, John (1784). "The Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America with other Occasional Services", p. 12.</ref>

The ''United Methodist Hymnal'' of 1989 also contains (at #882) what it terms the "Ecumenical Version" of this creed which is the ecumenically accepted modern translation of the International Committee on English Texts (1975) as amended by the subsequent successor body, the English Language Liturgical Consultation (1987).<ref>{{Citation | chapter = The Worship Resources | title = United Methodist Hymnal | editor-first = Hoyt | editor-last = Hickman | year = 1989 | page = 200}}.</ref> This form of the Apostles' Creed can be found incorporated into the Eucharistic and Baptismal Liturgies in the Hymnal and in ''The United Methodist Book of Worship'', and hence it is growing in popularity and use. The word ''catholic'' is intentionally left lowercase in the sense that the word ''catholic'' applies to the universal and ecumenical Christian church.

{{poemquote|I believe in God the Father Almighty,
::maker of heaven and earth;<!-- NB: leading colons are not deflist markup within a poem block. Don't remove them as invalid because they're not -->

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 to the dead.
::On the third day he rose again; 
::he ascended into heaven, 
::is seated at the right hand of the Father, 
::and 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.<ref>''The United Methodist Hymnal Book of United Methodist Worship''. The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989</ref>}}

==Musical settings==
Musical settings of the Symbolum Apostolorum as a [[motet]] are rare. English composer [[Robert Wylkynson]] (d. ca. 1515) composed a thirteen-voice [[Canon (music)|canon]], {{lang|la|Jesus autem transiens}}, included in the [[Eton Choirbook]], which features the text of the Creed. The French composer Le Brung published one Latin setting in 1540, and the Spanish composer [[Fernando de las Infantas]] published two in 1578.

[[Martin Luther]] wrote the hymn {{lang|de|italic=no|"[[Wir glauben all an einen Gott]]"}} (translated into English as "We all believe in one God") in 1524 as a paraphrase of the Apostles' Creed.

In 1957, [[William P. Latham]] wrote "Credo (Metrical Version of the Apostle’s Creed)" in an [[SATB]] arrangement suitable for boys' and men's voices.

In 1979 [[John Michael Talbot]], a [[Third Order of Saint Francis|Third Order Franciscan]], composed and recorded "Creed" on his album, ''The Lord's Supper''.<ref>{{Citation | last = Smith | first = Michael G. | title = Troubador of the Kingdom | newspaper = [[Christianity Today]] | date = February 1, 1985 | page = 88}}.</ref>

In 1986 [[Graham Kendrick]] published the popular "We believe in God the Father", closely based on the Apostles' Creed.

The song "Creed" on [[Petra (band)|Petra]]'s 1990 album ''Beyond Belief'' is loosely based on the Apostles' Creed.<ref>{{Citation | last = Powell | first = Mark Allan | year = 2002 | title = Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music | publisher = Hendrickson | isbn = 1565636791 | page = [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/696 696] | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/696 }}</ref>

[[GIA Publications]] published a hymn text in 1991 directly based on the Apostles' Creed, called "I Believe in God Almighty". It has been sung to hymn tunes from Wales, the Netherlands, and Ireland.<ref>{{Citation | contribution = I believe in God almighty | title = Hymnary | contribution-url = http://www.hymnary.org/text/i_believe_in_god_almighty}}.</ref>

[[Rich Mullins]] and [[Beaker (musician)|Beaker]] also composed a musical setting titled "Creed", released on Mullins' 1993 album ''[[A Liturgy, a Legacy, & a Ragamuffin Band]]''.<ref>{{Citation | last = Powell | first = Mark Allan | year = 2002 | title = Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music | publisher = Hendrickson | isbn = 1565636791 | page = [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/615 615] | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/615 }}</ref> Notably, Mullins' version replaces "one holy catholic church" with "one holy church".

[[Integrity Music]] under the [[Hosanna! Music]] series, produced a live worship acoustic album in 1993, ''Be Magnified'',<ref>{{Citation|last=Rothwell, Randy.|title=Be magnified : featuring Randy Rothwell|date=1993|publisher=Hosanna! Music|oclc=271477619}}</ref> which featured Randy Rothwell as worship leader, had an upbeat enthusiastic hymn called "The Apostle’s Creed", written by Randy Rothwell Burbank.

[[Newsboys]] released "We Believe" in 2013 on their album [[Restart (Newsboys album)|''Restart'']]. It was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Christian Song.

In 2014 [[Hillsong Music Australia|Hillsong]] released a version of the Apostles' Creed under the title "This I Believe (The Creed)" on their album ''[[No Other Name]]''.

[[Keith & Kristyn Getty]] released an expression of the Apostles' Creed under the title "We Believe (Apostle's Creed)" on their 2016 album ''Facing a Task Unfinished''.

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[Chalcedonian Creed]]
* [[One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church]]
* [[Passion of Jesus]]
* [[Virgin birth of Jesus]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation | last1 =Cannata | first1 = Raymond F. | last2 = Reitano | first2 = Joshua D. |author1-link= Raymond F. Cannata|title= Rooted: The Apostles' Creed |year= 2013 |publisher= [[Doulos Resources]] |location = Oro Valley, AZ |isbn= 978-1-937063-92-4}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion/First Article|First Article of the Apostle's Creed]]|title=A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion|year=1912|publisher=Schwartz, Kirwin & Fauss|first= Joseph|last=Deharbe|translator=Rev. John Fander}}
* {{Citation|last=Lochman|first=Jan Milič|contribution=Apostles' Creed|year=1999|title=Encyclopedia of Christianity|editor-last=Fahlbusch|editor-first=Erwin|volume=1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/109 109–10]|place=Grand Rapids|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans|isbn=0-8028-2413-7|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch0001unse_t6f2/page/109}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume III/Rufinus/Commentary on the Apostles' Creed|Commentary on the Apostles' Creed]]|title=Ante-Nicene Christian Library, Volume III|year=1885|publisher=T. & T. Clark in Edinburgh|author=Rufinus|author-link=Tyrannius Rufinus}}
*{{Cite Catholic Encyclopedia |wstitle=Apostles' Creed |volume=1 |first=Herbert |last=Thurston}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:The catechism of the Council of Trent|Part I. On the Twelve Articles of the Creed.]]|title=The catechism of the Council of Trent|year=1829|publisher=Lucas Brothers|translator=James Donovan}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{wikisourcelang-inline|la|Symbolum Apostolicum}}*
* {{Cite web | url = http://dominicweb.eu/en/dictionaries/exotic-languages-prayers | title = Audio recordings and texts of the Apostle's Creed and other Christian prayers| language = en }} (with text and approximative [[transliteration]] to Latin alphabet)
* {{Cite web | url = https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/apostle-s-creed/st-thomas-aquinas-on-the-apostle-s-creed | title= St. Thomas Aquinas on the Apostle's Creed | access-date= Jan 29, 2019 | language = en | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150620215903/https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/apostle-s-creed/st-thomas-aquinas-on-the-apostle-s-creed | archive-date= June 20, 2015 | url-status = live}}

===English translations===
* {{wikisource-inline|single=true}}

{{Catholic Prayers}}
{{Book of Concord}}
{{Apostles}}
{{Lutheranism topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Book of Concord]]
[[Category:4th-century Christian texts]]
[[Category:Ancient Christian controversies]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Ecumenical creeds]]
[[Category:Christian statements of faith]]
[[Category:Pontius Pilate]]
[[Category:Trinitarianism]]