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Birth of the Christian Church and development of Protestantism - CCEAApostles’ Creed

Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. There was initially one single Church. Protestantism developed in the 16th century when people began to split from the Catholic Church.

Part of Religious StudiesThe Protestant Church

Apostles’ Creed

A creed is a short statement of key Christian beliefs.

Creeds express and make clear the most important Christian beliefs, including the nature of God. The congregation often recites them during acts of worship, usually standing.

The Apostles’ Creed is accepted by Catholics and Protestants. According to legend it was written by the , although this is generally not accepted today.

Image caption,
An illustration depicting Jesus with the twelve apostles (1886)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
(Apostles’ Creed)

The Apostles' Creed represents a summary of Christian belief about the following:

  • the oneness of God and the
  • the of Jesus Christ as the Son of God
  • the meaning of the , and
  • the person and work of the
  • the Church as the body of Christ
  • the
  • sin and the means of
  • judgement and the world to come