History of the Apostles' Creed

It is a brief summary statement of Christian belief traditionally attributed to the 12 apostles. According to legend, before setting out on their respective missions each of the 12 apostles contributed one clause. Until the 15th century, it was believed that the Apostles' Creed was written by the apostles. It is now known that the creed is not of apostolic origin, but the title itself suggests that each clause of the creed can be traced to New Testament references and that the creed originated very early. Its immediate ancestor is the so-called Old Roman creed, which is based on a Greek formula of faith dating to the early 2nd century.

Today it is widely agreed that the Apostles' Creed developed as the baptismal confession of faith. A similar, but not identical, confession appears in the baptismal liturgy contained in The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus. Similar but variant versions are also found in the writings of the early Fathers of the Church, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, in which they are called "rules of faith." A form identical with what is now called the Apostles' Creed did not emerge until the early 8th century, in the writings of St. Pirminius.

The Apostles' Creed continues to be used as the baptismal profession of faith in most Western churches; Orthodox churches prefer to use the later Nicene Creed. In Roman Catholic practice, the Apostles' Creed is also recited in the daily office, before the first and after the last service each day. In most Protestant churches, it is used periodically at Sunday worship. Anglicans and Lutherans use it regularly in morning and evening prayer (matins and evensong).