Overview

A Creed, is a ‘Profession of faith’, a statement of commitment and of what is believed. Our word, ‘Creed’ comes from the Latin, “Credo” meaning “I believe”. The Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed are shared by many Christian Churches. Founded in Scripture, these creeds developed through more than 400 years of Christian prayer and reflection. The Creed doesn’t try to say it all, nor explain nor prove beliefs.

The Creed tells the Christian story and presents a view of the world and destiny based on this story. It answers questions such as; Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going? In saying the Creed, we profess Jesus Christ is central to our Christian identity, to who we are and who we want to become, as individuals and communities.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
 
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,,
who has spoken through the prophets.
 
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Apostle's Creed

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.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

 (Paragraph numbers for the Catechism are shown - Click the Nos section to view)

WE BELIEVE  Nos 166-167 
IN BRIEF  Nos 176-184
THE CREEDS:   Nos 185-197 (An introduction to the Creeds is followed by detailed commentary).