Creeds & Core Beliefs
The Foundations of the Catholic Faith
Our Pillars of Faith
The Creeds are the Church’s ancient summaries of the Christian faith. They help us profess what we believe, protect against error, and unite believers across time and culture. In this pillar we explore the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed—their history, meaning, and why they remain essential for Catholics today.
The Apostles' Creed
Full Text
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.
History and Use
The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest statements of faith. It is used in baptism, the Rosary, and personal prayer.
Biblical Foundations
The Apostles’ Creed is deeply rooted in Scripture. Here are some key connections:
- “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth” — Genesis 1:1
- “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord” — John 3:16, Matthew 16:16
- “He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary” — Luke 1:35
- “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried” — John 19, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- “He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again” — 1 Peter 3:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:4
- “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father” — Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 1:3
- “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.” — Acts 2:38, Ephesians 4:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
The Nicene Creed
Full Text
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.
History
Created at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to defend the divinity of Christ.
Comparison of the Two Creeds
| Aspect | Apostles’ Creed | Nicene Creed |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Early Church (2nd–4th century) | Council of Nicaea (325 AD) & Constantinople (381 AD) |
| Length | Shorter | Longer and more detailed |
| Primary Use | Baptism, Rosary, personal prayer | Sunday Mass, solemn professions of faith |
| Key Differences | Simpler, more personal | Emphasizes divinity of Christ (response to Arianism) |
Why the Creeds Matter Today
Clarity in Confusion: In a world full of competing ideas, the Creeds give us clear, unchanging truth.
Spiritual Formation: Reciting the Creeds helps form our minds and hearts in the faith.
Teaching the Next Generation: They are excellent tools for passing the faith to children and godchildren.
Mental & Spiritual Stability: The Creeds anchor us during times of doubt or anxiety.