A Collection of Creeds

The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo” which means “I believe.” The Zondervan Bible Dictionary states: “A creed is a rule of faith, a symbol, a public confession or declaration of Christian doctrine or belief.”

The Apostles’ Creed The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest and most popular creed used in worship by Christians. The Apostles’ Creed can be divided into three sections. The first section emphasizes the Trinity and God the creator: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. The second focuses on Jesus Christ: His conception, birth, suffering, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and coming judgment. The third section proclaims belief in the Holy Spirit.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

The traditional use of this creed includes the words: “He descended into hell.” Those words are not used in The United Methodist Hymnal. Holy Spirit is often substituted for Holy Ghost. The word “catholic” refers not to the Roman Catholic Church but to the Universal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Nicene Creed I believe in one God: the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God: begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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A Modern Affirmation We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children’s good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.

The Korean Creed We believe in the one God, maker and ruler of all things, Father of all men, the source of all goodness and beauty, all truth and love. We believe in Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, our teacher, example, and Redeemer, the Savior of the world. We believe in the Holy Spirit, God present with us for guidance, for comfort, and for strength. We believe in the forgiveness of sins, in the life of love and prayer, and in grace equal to every need. We believe in the Word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments as the sufficient rule both of faith and of practice. We believe in the Church as the fellowship for worship and for service of all who are united to the living Lord. We believe in the kingdom of God as the divine rule in human society, and in the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. We believe in the final triumph of righteousness, and in the life everlasting. Amen.

~ The United Methodist Hymnal ~