The Apostles’ Creed is not a production of the Apostles themselves, but it contains a brief summary of their teachings, as the words are almost all directly from their Epistles. In its present form it is of no later date than the 4th century. More than any other creed of Christendom, it may justly be called an ecumenical symbol of faith.

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 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 sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”