Apostles Creed

This familiar, and most basic of creeds, almost certainly has origins in
the apostolic era. Various sixth century and later medieval theologians even
asserted that the apostles themselves formulated the creed during
Pentecost. This interpretation does not carry dogmatic force, and many
modern and pre-modern commentators doubt the historicity of this claim.
Early patristic literature often invokes creedal references indicating early
reliance on a statement of faith. In any event, the creed’s formula seems to
have crystallized in Rome, or perhaps southern Gaul, during the late fifth
century. Listed below are the earliest versions of this important creed.
THE OLD ROMAN CREED AS QUOTED BY TERTULLIAN (c. 200)
De Virg. Vel., 1 Against Praxeas 2 De Praecept., 13 and 26
(1) Believing in one God
(1) We believe one (1) I believe in one God, maker of the
Almighty, maker of the
only God, world,
world,
(2) and His Son, Jesus (2) and the son of God
(2) the Word, called His Son, Jesus Christ,
Christ, Jesus Christ,
(3) by the Spirit and power of God the
(3) born of the Virgin Mary, (3) born of the Virgin, Father made flesh in Mary's womb, and
born of her
(4) crucified under Pontius (4) Him suffered died,
(4) fastened to a cross.
Pilate, and buried,
(5) on the third day brought
(5) brought back to life, (5) He rose the third day,
to life from the dead,
(6) taken again into
(6) received in heaven, (6) was caught up into heaven,
heaven,
(7) sitting now at the right (7) sits at the right hand
(7) set at the right hand of the Father,
hand of the Father, of the Father,
(8) will come with glory to take the good
(8) will come to judge the (8) will come to judge
into life eternal, and condemn the wicked to
living and the dead the living and the dead
perpetual fire,
(9) who has sent from
(9) sent the vicarious power of His Holy
the Father the Holy
Spirit,
Ghost.
(10) to govern believers (In this passage
articles 9 and 10 precede 8)
(12) through resurrection of
(12) restoration of the flesh.
the flesh.

Apostle’s Creed – Old Roman Version and Present Day Version

Contrasted

(1) I believe in God the Father Almighty;
Heaven and earth
(2) And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our
Lord;
(3) Who was born of (de) the Holy Ghost and (3) Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of
of (ex) the Virgin Mary;
(4) Crucified under Pontius Pilate and
buried;
(5) The third day He rose again from the
dead,
(6) He ascended into Heaven,
(7) Sitteth at the right hand of the Father,
(8) Whence He shall come to judge the living
and the dead.
(9) And in the Holy Ghost,
(10) The Holy Church,
(11) The forgiveness of sins;
(12) The resurrection of the body.
(1) I believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of
(2) And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
the Virgin Mary,
(4) Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried;
(5) He descended into hell; the third day He rose
again from the dead;
(6) He ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right
hand of God the Father Almighty;
(7) From thence He shall come to judge the living
and the dead.
(8) I believe in the Holy Ghost,
(9) The Holy Catholic Church, the communion of
saints
(10) The forgiveness of sins,
(11) The resurrection of the body, and
(12) life everlasting.

Citation:
Thurston, Herbert. "Apostles' Creed." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York:
Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 29 Jul. 2008
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm>.