What is the Apostles' Creed, and why do some churches use it and others do not?
The Apostles' Creed:
."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."
This creed is meant to describe the basic tenets of a Christian"s faith. Nowhere is it found in the Bible, but is often used as a way to express one's faith clearly and succinctly as long as the reference to the "holy Catholic Church" is removed.
Nevertheless it is not often used in evangelical churches because of the reference to the Catholic Church. The Apostle's Creed, at the original writing was used to describe the entire church of Christ. It is not necessary that any type of 'creed' be in place in a Christian church. All that God requires is that we know in whom we believe and that we understand the work He did for us so that we may come to salvation in Him.
