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, 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.

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Where it comes from

The Apostles' Creed was not written by the apostles, but it sums up the faith they preached. It began as a baptismal confession in the church of Rome (2nd century) and reached its present form around the 8th century. It is prayed by Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists and many other traditions — the word "catholic" here means "universal", the Church of all places and times.

The biblical roots

• Creator of heaven and earth — Genesis 1:1
• Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary — Luke 1:35
• Suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died and buried — Mark 15
• On the third day he rose again — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
• Ascended into heaven, at the right hand of the Father — Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 1:3
• He will come to judge — 2 Timothy 4:1
• The forgiveness of sins — Acts 10:43
• Resurrection and life everlasting — John 11:25-26