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Apostles’ Creed
Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.
A statement of Christian belief that is used by Western churches, both Catholic and Protestant. While it is explicitly affirmed only in Western churches, it reflects traditions that were affirmed officially by the entire Church in the Nicene Creed. Although its roots are much earlier, in its present form it dates to about the eighth century.
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The Lexham Bible Dictionary
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ Creed (Symbolum Apostolorum). A statement of Christian belief that is used by Western churches, both Catholic and Protestant. While it is explicitly affirmed only in Western churches, it reflects traditions that were affirmed officially by the entire Church in the Nicene Creed. Although its
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ Creed. A statement of faith used only in the W. Church. Like other ancient *Creeds, it falls into three sections, concerned with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, corresponding to the three Baptismal questions of the primitive Church. Terse in expression, it is less overtly theological
The Dictionary of Historical Theology
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ CreedThe Apostles’ Creed is a western baptismal creed, first attested in its present form in the early eighth century in southern Gaul and now used widely in western churches.A creed is a concise statement of Christian faith and belief. The word ‘creed’ derives from the Latin word credo,
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
APOSTLES' CREED; THE
APOSTLES’ CREED; THE<kred>.THE OLDEST CREED:The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest creed, and lies at the basis of most others. Though not, as the long-current legend of its origin affirmed, the direct work of the Apostles, it has its roots in apostolic times, and embodies, with much fidelity, apostolic
The Lutheran Cyclopedia
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ Creed. Luther, who called this creed one of the oecumenical confessions, adopted its previous recognition in the Church. He also held the common idea, prevalent in the Western Church since the sixth century, though already found in an explanation of the symbol by Ambrose, that the apostles
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Apostles Creed
Apostles’ Creed (The). A church creed supposed to be an epitome of Scripture doctrines, or doctrines taught by the apostles. It was received into the Latin Church, in its present form, in the eleventh century; but a formula somewhat like it existed in the second century. Items were added in the fourth
Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church
Apostles’ Creed
APOSTLES’ CREEDAlong with the Athanasian Creed and Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the Apostles’ Creed is one of the three ecumenical symbols of the Western church. It is widely considered to be the greatest, most succinct summary of the Christian faith.The Apostles’ Creed is so named because of its
The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ CreedThe creed did not originate until the late sixth or early seventh century, after the close of the patristic era. But it constitutes a version of the old Roman creed, which does date from the third century. In this earlier form it became a model for various Latin creeds; its final form
Pocket Dictionary of Liturgy & Worship
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ Creed. An ancient *confession of faith dating to early Christian times, taking on much of its present form by the latter half of the second century. Derived from the *baptismal creed of the church at Rome, it is often a part of WC liturgies. As a baptismal confession, the Creed is appropriately
Dictionary of Theological Terms
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ CreedA statement of faith put in its final form probably around the end of the second century. It was not written by the apostles, but is a summary of Christian doctrine. A. A. Hodge says it was “gradually formed, by common consent, out of the Confessions adopted severally by particular churches,
The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume 1, A–C
Apostles' Creed, the
Apostles’ Creed, the. A statement of Christian faith used in the Western church and consisting of brief positive affirmations with no proofs and no explanations. Like other ancient creeds, the Apostles’ Creed falls into three sections, following the Trinitarian order customary in baptismal rites (a catechetical
Apostolic Age
apostolic age. The period of early church history during the life and work of the original apostles, extending from the day of Pentecost (c. a.d. 30 or 33; Acts 2) to the death of John the apostle (c. a.d. 100). The main sources for the period are the book of Acts and the NT letters.
Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
Apostles’ Creed
Apostles’ Creed. According to an ancient theory, the twelve apostles composed the creed with each apostle adding a clause to form the whole. Today practically all scholars understand this to be legendary. Nevertheless, many think of the creed as apostolic in nature because its basic teachings are agreeable
See also
Topics & Themes
Creeds and Confessions