The Apostles' Creed, circa 3rd-4th c. AD

  • I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
        Maker of heaven and earth;
    And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord;
        who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
        born of the virgin Mary;
        suffered under Pontius Pilate,
        was crucified, dead, and buried;
        He descended into hell.
    The third day He arose again from the dead;
        He ascended into heaven;
        and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
        From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
      The holy catholic1 church; the communion of saints;
        The forgiveness of sins;
        The resurrection of the body;
        And the life everlasting.
            Amen.
  1. The term "catholic" here refers to the universal church.