The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest systematic statements of Christian doctrine. Though it did not achieve its current form until around the 400s AD, its roots reach back much further, to within a generation or two after the Resurrection. It was intended as a summary of Christian teaching, one that could be used to instruct new believers and memorized by those undergoing baptism.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into the grave, and on the third day, He rose from the dead.
He ascended into heaven, and He sits 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, universal church;
The communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And life everlasting.