What is the Apostles’ Creed?
The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest universal Christian confession — a concise summary of the faith handed down from the apostles. It confesses the Triune God, the incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension, return of Christ, and the work of the Spirit in the church.
It was likely developed for use in baptism in the early church. By the time it was finalized (around the 4th century), the content was already old.
Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and many evangelical Christians confess it together. It marks the boundary of basic Christian orthodoxy.
Memorizing it is a wonderful way to grasp the gospel’s shape and to confess what Christians of every age have believed.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.