Apostles' Creed
Written around 300 years after the birth of Christ, the Apostles’ Creed gently captures the essence of our shared Christian faith. It invites us to reflect on the foundational truths that unite us...our belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. While these words continue to be recited in many Christian communities today, offering a steady foundation of hope and unity, we are reminded that divisions still exist among us. The Creed calls us back to the core beliefs that have the power to bridge our differences, offering a shared vision of faith that transcends the boundaries often drawn by imperialistic theologies or caste-like systems. In this, it invites us to hold on to the common hope we find in Christ, even amid our differences.
Traditional Version
I believe in God*, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus* Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God* the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church*,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Contemporary Version
I believe in God*, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
​
I believe in Jesus* Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of God* the Father almighty.
He will come again 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.
*Catholic Church...meaning the universal Christian church... encompassing all believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of denomination or background.​​​​
*Made in the image of God...meaning we are shaped by both the strength and tenderness of Divine Love. While Scripture often refers to God as Father, it also reveals God’s maternal nature. 'As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you’ (Isaiah 66:13). Wisdom (Sophia), personified in Proverbs 8-9, calls humanity toward righteousness with nurturing guidance, much like the Holy Spirit, who leads, consoles, and intercedes for us with deep compassion. In Hebrew and Aramaic, the word for Spirit (Ruach/Rukha) is grammatically feminine, and the Spirit’s role as Comforter (John 14:26) echoes the imagery of a mother tenderly caring for her children. Jesus, too, speaks in maternal imagery, longing to gather his people ‘as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings’ (Luke 13:34). These passages remind us that Divine Love is both fatherly and motherly...a Love that forms, restores, and draws us deeper into belonging.
*Jesus, our Redeemer, was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, growing up among the humble and overlooked rather than in the halls of wealth, power, or empire. A first-century Jewish man living under Roman occupation, he entered the world without status or civil protections, yet fully embodied the liberating presence of God among the people. From the margins, the message of good news was proclaimed to the poor, freedom to the captives, sight to the blind, and release to the oppressed (Luke 4:14-37, Isaiah 61:1-3). The life and teachings, from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) to the outpouring of sacrificial love, revealed God's justice and mercy, calling us to love God, love others, and love ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:4-12, Matthew 22:34-40, Acts 2:42). Abiding in this way of love transforms us, renewing our minds and shaping us into God's likeness (II Corinthians 3:17-18, John 14:16,26, Romans 12:1-2). In suffering, Christ stood with the persecuted and weary, like the faithful Church of Smyrna and the enduring Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 2:8-11, 3:7-13), reminding us that even in weakness, Divine strength prevails. The Good Shepherd walks with us still, leading in love, truth, and liberation.