Catechism Question 51: How is the teaching of God’s Word summarized in 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. He 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 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 saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Focus and Purpose of this Question

This question is meant to give a brief overview of key Christian doctrinal beliefs. To do this it uses the Apostles Creed. Although the early creeds are not Scripture, they are excellent summaries of the faith that have been received by virtually every Christian group from the early days of the Church. They do not carry the authority of Scripture, but they are excellent summaries of the teaching of Scripture, carefully worked out, and universally received. Thus, the shortest of these Creeds, the Apostles Creed is used here. (Note: Even though it is called the Apostles Creed, it is nearly universally acknowledged that the Creed was not penned by the Apostles. But it is a very old creed, dating back to between 200 and 700 AD.)

Because the Creed is not Scripture, but only a summary of it, we will not take time in this Catechism to go through each of the articles of the Creed. This is done in the Heidelberg Catechism, questions 23-58. There are also discussions of it in many other writings (including John Calvin’s Institutes) and by many teachers.

By their very nature, Creeds are meant to briefly summarize key doctrinal beliefs and do not discuss the moral requirements of the Scripture. That will be covered in the next section on God’s Law. Here we merely want to focus on essential Christian doctrines in a brief statement.

NOTE: The phrase “I believe in the holy catholic Church” is NOT referring to the Roman Catholic church, which did not exist as a unique church at this time. The word “catholic” means “universal” and so the phrase is referring to the universal Church, God’s people.

Additional Questions:

Can you recite the Apostles’ Creed?
Can you give a brief summary of the things Christians believe?

Question 51 143 Why is it good to memorize brief statements of what Christians believe?

What is the difference between the Scripture and Creeds which attempt to summarize the teaching of Scripture? Which has more authority? Do Creeds have value for Christians today?

Additional Information:

This question is based on question 23 of the Heidelberg Catechism and question 31 of the New City Catechism. In the Heidelberg Catechism, the various articles of the Creed are then discussed in questions 24-58. Any resources you find on Heidelberg or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.

For additional information, see the teachings “Contending for the True Faith” (June 23, 2019), “Guarding the Deposit of Faith” (September 6, 2015), “The False Shepherds and Their Destructive Teachings” (May 21, 2006).

Questions for Further Discussion:

Why is it good to memorize brief statements of what Christians believe?

What is the difference between the Scripture and Creeds which attempt to summarize the teaching of Scripture? Which has more authority? Do Creeds have value for Christians today?

Suggested Worship Song:

Creed (Rich Mullins, 1993)

I believe in God the Father almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth And in Jesus Christ
His only begotten Son, our Lord

He was conceived by the Holy Spirit Born of the Virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

CHORUS:
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me It is the very truth of God and not The invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered Was crucified, buried, and dead He descended into hell and
On the third day, rose again

He ascended into Heaven where He sits at God’s mighty right hand I believe that He’s returning to Judge the quick and the dead
Of the sons of men
CHORUS

I believe it, I believe it I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, Our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church, the communion of Saints The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

CHORUS
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it

Question 51 144