Apostles' Creed

Every Sunday during the Easter Season we are professing the Apostles’ Creed rather than the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is so named because legend has it that each of the Apostles contributed to its composition. It is shorter and simpler than the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed, which summarized the teaching of the Apostles, was originally a baptismal creed that was given to the Elect before they were baptized and was part of their formation.  At Baptism, each line was put into the form of a question to which the Elect gave their assent, indicating their acceptance of the faith in which they were about to be baptized.  We still use this type of dialogue with those about to be baptized, with those about to be confirmed, and with the entire community on Easter Sunday.  

Like the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed begins with a profession of faith in God the Father, includes our belief that Jesus died and rose, and ends with the sure faith that we too will experience resurrection.  As in the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed expresses our faith in the Paschal Mystery, the death resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

The word “creed” comes from the Latin cor dare, meaning “to give one’s heart.”  Let us pray that as we profess the Apostles’ Creed we might give our heart to deeper faith and trust in the living God.