Of the three great Ecumenical Creeds of Christianity (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed) the simplest, and at least in the Western Church, also the most widely accepted one is the Apostles’ Creed.
Many legends exist as to how the Apostles’ Creed was originally written. With no Biblical guidance as to its history, we are left to historical records to determine how and when it was formulated. While the name of the Creed is the Apostles' Creed, this Creed was not written by any of the apostles but rather espouses the teachings of the apostles. It is possible from historical records to trace the origins of the Creed all the way back to the second half of the second century (sometime around 150-200 A.D.). Before this time, little evidence exists that this Creed was used by the Church.
The Creed in its present form also did not come into existence overnight. But rather, starting from a simple confession was enlarged, sometimes by a new phrase or clause, sometimes by the addition of a mere word or two, in a gradual process extending over a period of five or six centuries. The Creed in the form we confess today found acceptance in the Church in the early middle ages (around 750 A.D.).
No single person can be named as the author, nor, except in a few instances, can any particular contributor be identified. Several of the phrases reveal a reaction against some specific error that was troubling the Church of that time. But none of these issues predominates to such an extent that it colors the entire Creed. That is why the simple confession that we call the Apostles’ Creed has remained to this day what it was originally meant to be, a plain statement of the common faith of the ordinary Christian.
More than any other Creed it speaks the simple language of the Bible and breathes the spirit of the Gospel. The Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed are commonly used in our worship services to confess our faith.
Lutherans have particular reason to hold this confession in highest esteem since Luther in his Small Catechism has given us an explanation of the Three Articles that is matchless both in form and content. Below you will find Luther’s explanation of the Three Articles of the Apostles’ Creed. Simply move your mouse over the text to read Luther's explanation of each Article of the Creed. If you have any questions or comments about this Creed or any doctrine of our church, please contact us.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
What is an ecumenical creed?
In short, ecumenical means universal and a creed is a statement of beliefs. The Apostles' Creed, Nicence Creed, and Athanasian Creed confess the faith of the ecumenical (universal) Church: the doctrine of the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and Christ's work of redeeming the human race.
Lutherans do not accept the ecumenical creeds because they are ecumenical but because they teach what the Scriptures teach. They do not accept them because they were accepted by councils or other theologians but because they are true and useful statements of the truth.
First Article - What does this mean?
I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that he gave me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my mind and all my abilities. And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and all I need to keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil. All this God does only because he is my good and merciful Father in heaven, and not because I have earned or deserved it. For all this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.
Second Article - What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.
Third Article - What does this mean?
I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day he will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.