Christian Beliefs

The Creeds

Episcopalians believe that the summary of authentic and orthodox Christian doctrine is summarized in two ancient creeds, or statements of faith. Creed comes from the latin "credo", which means "I believe" and is the first word of these statements in that language. The Apostles' Creed is the older of the two, and we use it in our daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as well as when we baptize a new Christian. The Nicene Creed was a product of the first two ecumenical councils in the 4th century, and provided a statement of the core of Christian faith that withstood the dangers of the heresies of those times. 

The Apostles' Creed

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 the Father. 
    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.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father.
    Through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven:
    by the power of the Holy Spirit
        he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
        and was made man.
    For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
        he suffered death and was buried.
        On the third day he rose again
            in accordance with the Scriptures;
        he ascended into heaven
            and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
        He will come again in glory to judge the living 
            and the dead,
        and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 
    who proceeds from the Father.
    With the Father and the Son he is 
        worshiped and glorified.
    He has spoken through the Prophets.
    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
    We acknowledge one baptism 
        for the forgiveness of sins.
    We look for the resurrection of the dead,
        and the life of the world to come. Amen.