Lesson from August 2nd, 2009
The Apostle’s Creed is both earlier and later than the Nicene Creed which we have recently examined. It is older in that our version is the expansion of a creed that existed in the mid-second century (the Old Roman Creed). It is later in that this expansion dates to the late 6th Century. As was the case with the Nicene Creed, the Apostle’s Creed functioned in multiple ways in church life. It served as a confession of faith for those entering Christianity; for example those being baptized recited it. It was also used in teaching the faith, that is, catechism. The creed also became a rule of faith, helping the church to maintain consistency of teaching from region to region and over time. Tradition held that Peter began the creed with the first line and that each of the apostle’s then added a clause or phrase.