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The Apostle's Creed
The tradition that the
Apostles' Creed was composed on the Day of Pentecost
(or shortly thereafter) by the twelve Apostles, each contributing an
article, beginning with Peter, was proven false by later religious
scholars. Also, this creed was not formulated by Councils of
theologians, but rather grew spontaneously out of the needs of a living
church. The confession of Peter (Matthew 16:16) and the baptismal
formula of Christ (Matthew 29:19) undoubtedly influenced the
development of the Apostles Creed. The creed seems to be an elaboration
of a primitive baptismal formula, the one given in Matthew, "Baptizing
in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost". The
creed grew from these beginnings in New Testament times. Early traces
of its articles are found in Ignatius and Justin Martyr's teachings.
The creed was usually memorized, but not written, and it was explained
to the cathecumens in the last stages of their preparation for baptism.
The Apostles Creed probably had its inception in Rome.
A
briefer form of the Apostles Creed was know as the Roman Symbol, and
was in use in the Church in Rome in the fourth century. The Roman
Symbol "creed" was an elaboration of the earlier primitive baptismal
formula, modified in such a fashion as to make it clear that the
candidate for baptism did not adhere to the beliefs of Marcion who had
a strong following in Rome. Marcion taught that world is the creation
of Demiurge not God the Father, and that Christ was a phantom. The term
"symbol" comes from a word which is one of its usages meant as a
watchword, or a password in a military camp. As applied to a creed, it
was a sign or test of membership in the Church. Assent to the symbol or
creed was required of those who were being baptized. Although the
development of the Apostles Creed was in part due to the conflict with
the Marcionites and although several generations were still to elapse
before all phrases were added which makes it as its stands today, it
must not be forgotten that the Apostles Creed had as its nucleus words
going back to the first century and the first words explicitly stated
in the post-resurrection command of Jesus to the Apostles. It was meant
to be simply a further interpretation to meet particular challenges as
they arose. Thus it clearly is an expression of what was taught by the
apostles, and thus the designation "Apostles Creed". In theory by the
800's all Christians were to know the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles
Creed. The Apostles Creed did not assume its precise form of today
until about 750 AD.
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