Our Core Beliefs

Few statements of belief have endured like the Apostles’ Creed. While many modern Christians might recite it without a second thought, its historical weight and spiritual richness continue to hold vital relevance for the church today. Across confessions and traditions Augsburg, Belgic, Westminster, and beyond this creed remains a shared declaration of the essential truths of the Christian faith. In an era of shifting cultural mores and theological confusion, its clarity is more needed than ever.

The Twelve Articles That Changed the World

The Apostles’ Creed, also known as the Twelve Articles of Faith, isn’t merely a poetic summary it is a bedrock declaration. Though not authored directly by the apostles, it draws heavily from their teachings and encapsulates the core doctrines rooted in Scripture. Early forms of the Creed can be traced back to the second century, often used as baptismal confessions or recited by martyrs before their death.

Each line affirms what Christians have always believed:

• That God is the almighty Creator.

• That Jesus Christ is God’s Son, born of a virgin, crucified, buried, risen, and ascended.

• That the Holy Spirit dwells within the Church, sanctifies the saints, and guarantees the resurrection and eternal life.

A Fortress Against Heresy

The early Church faced rampant doctrinal distortion, most notably Gnosticism, which denied the physical incarnation of Christ and promoted secret knowledge over faith. The Apostles’ Creed stood as a sharp rebuttal, affirming Christ’s physical birth, death, and resurrection. Church fathers such as Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine leaned heavily on its statements to protect the church’s doctrinal integrity.

Augustine’s directive to memorize the Creed wasn’t merely instructional it was defensive. It armed believers with truth. “Commit it to memory,” he said, “to resist the insidious assaults of heretics.”

The Reformers’ Creed

Far from abandoning tradition, the Protestant Reformers embraced the Creed. John Calvin called it “a complete summary of faith.” Heinrich Bullinger, Pierre Viret, and William Perkins all offered expositions on the Creed, underlining its didactic value. Richard Baxter urged its use during baptisms and communion, to root believers firmly in the essentials.

It’s telling that the Belgic Confession of 1561 still revered in Reformed churches explicitly cites the Apostles’ Creed among its accepted statements of faith. Even in breaking from Rome, the Reformers found in the Creed a unifying foundation rather than a divisive relic.

Why It Still Matters

In today’s fragmented religious landscape, the Apostles’ Creed brings cohesion. It’s ecumenical without being vague, ancient yet vividly alive. Reciting it connects us with saints across centuries and continents. Its brevity belies its depth it’s a doctrinal digest that holds the weight of eternity.

The Creed doesn’t just affirm doctrinal orthodoxy; it reminds the believer of their identity. In saying, “I believe,” we join a chorus of faith that transcends denomination and generation. And in a time where Christian beliefs are frequently challenged, the Creed offers believers a concise, unshakeable answer to the question: What do we believe?

More Than Recitation

To teach the Creed is to disciple. To preach it is to evangelize. Whether in a catechism class, a worship service, or private devotion, its lines press eternal truths into our hearts. As Jude exhorts, we are to “contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and the Creed helps us do exactly that.

May the words of Hebrews 10:23 ring true as we proclaim this ancient faith together: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

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