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| − | The '''Apostles' Creed''' is a [[Christian]] statement of [[faith]], used by almost all Christians of many denominations. | + | The '''Apostles' Creed''' is a [[Christian]] statement of [[faith]], used by Christians of many denominations. Even in denominations where creeds are not accepted as authoritative, it is considered to be an accurate summarization of basic Christian doctrine. |
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| | Its origin is disputed. A tradition in the [[Middle Ages]] held that after [[Pentecost]], under the inspiration of the [[Holy Spirit]], each of the twelve [[apostles]] spoke one of the articles (the Creed is divided into 12 articles). Other stories claim that the apostles wrote it. These explanations are considered unlikely, and a more accepted claim is that it developed in 5th century Gaul from the Old Roman Symbol, an earlier creed shorter than but similar to the Apostles' Creed. | | Its origin is disputed. A tradition in the [[Middle Ages]] held that after [[Pentecost]], under the inspiration of the [[Holy Spirit]], each of the twelve [[apostles]] spoke one of the articles (the Creed is divided into 12 articles). Other stories claim that the apostles wrote it. These explanations are considered unlikely, and a more accepted claim is that it developed in 5th century Gaul from the Old Roman Symbol, an earlier creed shorter than but similar to the Apostles' Creed. |
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| | The Apostles' Creed is less detailed than the [[Nicene Creed]], and may be more acceptable to non-[[Trinity|Trinitarian]] Christians, or even to those who deny the divinity of [[Christ]]. | | The Apostles' Creed is less detailed than the [[Nicene Creed]], and may be more acceptable to non-[[Trinity|Trinitarian]] Christians, or even to those who deny the divinity of [[Christ]]. |
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| − | The word "catholic" in the Apostles' Creed is from the Latin word ''catholicus'' meaning "universal", from the Greek ''katholicos'', from ''kata-'' thoroughly and ''holos'' whole, in the sense of seeking out and embracing all peoples of all times in all places included under the universal authority of one Lord, one God (see Matthew 28:18-20). It was first used in reference to the Christian Church in writing by [[Ignatius of Antioch]] at the beginning of the 2nd century. | + | The word "catholic" in the Apostles' Creed is not intended to refer solely to any particular sect (such as the Roman Catholic Church), but is from the Latin word ''catholicus'' meaning "universal", which itself is taken from the Greek ''katholicos'', from ''kata-'' thoroughly and ''holos'' whole. It is used in the sense of seeking out and embracing all peoples of all times in all places included under the universal authority of one Lord, one God (see Matthew 28:18-20). It was first used in reference to the Christian Church in writing by [[Ignatius of Antioch]] at the beginning of the 2nd century. |
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| | + | Christian singer [[Rich Mullins]] wrote a song version of the Apostles' Creed (simply known as '''Creed''') which was a popular hit on Christian radio. His version does not include the word "catholic" but uses the phrase "Holy church" instead, so as to not upset Protestants who oppose Catholicism. |
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| | ==Text, divided into the 12 articles== | | ==Text, divided into the 12 articles== |