What About That Apostles Creed?

We recited the Apostles Creed during catechism today. It sparked a few questions that deserve answers, or at least as good an answer as I can provide.

First, let’s talk about the creeds of the church. They are ancient and were originally designed to relate the essentials of the gospel in an easy to understand form. However, because of their age, they have undergone tweaking here and there and do not always reflect the ease and simplicity they were intended to portray.

The two creeds most evangelicals are familiar with are the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Because of its early dating, the Apostles Creed is trinitarian in its expression but does not address the divinity of Christ. The Nicene Creed does a better job with that essential of our faith.

Here’s the version of the Apostles Creed we read this morning.

   

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

11. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

Some scholars believe the Apostles Creed was originally penned by the twelve apostles with each one of them contributing a line. Some think it was written in the second century, others in the mid-fourth. Even others believe it is an amalgam of creeds and sayings that were common in the early church.

Questions, when they arise in the evangelical church, usually center on lines 4 and 11. In line 11, the phrase “catholic church” refers not to the Roman Catholic Church but to the church universal, what we would call the body of Christ. Addressing this misunderstanding with young ones head on might be a great opportunity to teach that words can have different meanings and deeper study may be needed for a better understanding of our Scriptures and doctrines.

Line 11 is a bit more problematic, particularly the phrase “He descended into Hell.” This is loosely based on Eph 4:9.

Ephesians 4:9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

There are several ways to interpret the phrase “into the lower regions of the earth.” You can study two of the most prominent interpretations here and here, Further complicating the matter are indications that this phrase was added sometime near the end of the fourth century, then seemed to disappear only to resurface in the seventh century. So, all the evidence points to it not being a part of the original. Moreover, it is not clear as to why the phrase was added.

In any case, this is not an essential doctrine and should give us all cause to engage in mature, godly dialogue with the idea that we can all learn something from each other. It’s also an opportunity to lead your children in a discussion about doctrine and how to support your position using the Scriptures.

If you still have questions, read the articles above, do your own research, support your position with Scripture. I’d love to hear from you.