ECUMENICAL PRE-700 AD

The Apostles' Creed

Also known as Symbolum Apostolorum

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 and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to 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 the life everlasting.
Amen.

Other forms

Traditional form (older English)

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, 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 Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer form, 1662

About this prayer

The Apostles' Creed is a statement of Christian belief used across Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and many other Protestant traditions. Despite its name, it was not written by the apostles. It developed gradually from baptismal formulas used in the early church at Rome, reaching its current form by around the 7th century AD. The creed summarizes the core beliefs affirmed at baptism: the nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the life, death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; and the resurrection of the body. It is shorter and older in its structure than the Nicene Creed, which was formulated by a church council.

When it's said

In Catholic practice, the Apostles' Creed is recited at the beginning of the Rosary and at Morning and Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. In Anglican services it appears in Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and the Baptism rite. In Lutheran, Methodist, and many Reformed services it is said during Sunday worship, often after the sermon. It is universally used at baptisms across Western Christian traditions as the statement of faith made by or on behalf of the person being baptized.

Notes on the text

The phrase "he descended to hell" is present in most traditional forms but interpreted differently across traditions. Catholic and Anglican theology understand it as Christ's descent to the realm of the dead (Sheol or Hades) between death and resurrection. Some Protestant traditions interpret it as a statement of the fullness of Christ's suffering rather than a literal descent. A small number of Protestant churches omit the phrase. The word "catholic" in "the holy catholic church" means universal, not Roman Catholic, and is used in this sense across all traditions that recite the creed.

Common questions

Did the Apostles write the Apostles' Creed?

No. The traditional account, which dates from the 4th century AD, says that each of the twelve Apostles contributed one line. This is a pious legend, not history. The Creed developed gradually from baptismal confessions used in the Roman church from the 2nd century AD onwards. The form we know today reached its final shape in the 8th century AD in Gaul, and it carries the name 'Apostles' Creed' because it is understood to summarize apostolic teaching rather than because the Apostles wrote it.

What does 'he descended into hell' mean?

The phrase translates the Latin 'descendit ad inferna' and refers to Christ's descent into the realm of the dead between his crucifixion and resurrection. Theological understanding varies: many Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans read it as Christ's triumphal entry into the place of the righteous dead to lead them to heaven (sometimes called the 'Harrowing of Hell'). Some Reformed Protestants read it metaphorically as Christ's experience of God's judgment on the cross. The phrase is omitted entirely from some modern Protestant uses of the Creed.

Why does the Creed say 'I believe in the holy catholic Church'?

Here 'catholic' is lowercase and means 'universal,' from the Greek καθολικός (katholikos). The Creed predates the split between the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian traditions, and the word refers to the whole Christian Church across the world, not to the Roman Catholic denomination specifically. Many Protestant churches, including Anglicans, Lutherans, and Presbyterians, say this line as written; others substitute 'Christian Church' to avoid confusion.

How is the Apostles' Creed different from the Nicene Creed?

The Apostles' Creed is shorter and earlier in its developed form. It originated in the West and is used primarily in Western Christianity for baptism and daily prayer. The Nicene Creed, written by the Councils of Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD), is longer and more theologically detailed, particularly on the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed is the standard creed of the Eucharistic liturgy in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Anglican churches, while the Apostles' Creed is used at baptisms and in the Daily Office.

Source

Traditional Western baptismal formula, reaching current form by approximately 700 AD. English text from the Book of Common Prayer, 1662. Public domain.

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Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.