“Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” — 2 Timothy 1:13–14 (BSB)
“Beloved, although I wanted to write to you about our common salvation, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” — Jude 1:3 (BSB)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19 (BSB)
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (BSB)
The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest and simplest of the three, rooted in early baptismal formulas and widely used in the Western Church as a basic confession of Christian faith. It emphasizes God the Father, Jesus Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and return, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the hope of resurrection. Anglican worship incorporates the Apostles’ Creed in Morning and Evening Prayer, as well as at baptisms and confirmations.
The Nicene Creed, formulated at the Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 381), was developed to combat early heresies, particularly Arianism. It more clearly affirms the full divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, as well as the unity of the Church. It is the principal creed of Christian worship and is recited in the Holy Communion service every Lord’s Day. The Thirty-Nine Articles, Article VIII, affirms that these creeds “ought thoroughly to be received and believed.”
The Athanasian Creed (also called Quicunque Vult) elaborates the doctrine of the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ. Though less frequently used liturgically, it remains a doctrinal standard, especially in its clear defense of orthodox Christology. Anglican tradition has historically read it on Trinity Sunday and included it in devotional and educational materials. It proclaims, “This is the catholic faith: which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.”
As Bishop Stephen Neill put it, “The creeds are the Church’s yes to God’s revelation and no to heresy.” They bind the Church together in truth, uniting believers across cultures and centuries in a common confession. In a world prone to error and theological drift, these ancient summaries continue to serve as vital compasses for faithful worship, discipleship, and proclamation of the Gospel.
Irenaeus describes the Church’s consistent teaching long before the formal creeds were codified.
Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) referenced an early “rule of faith”: “This rule… has come down from Christ by means of His apostles… to believe in one God the Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit.” — Prescription Against Heretics, 13
This early trinitarian summary laid the groundwork for what would later become the formal creeds.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) taught: “This faith, which we deliver to you now, is not of human invention. It is drawn from the entire Scripture and is the foundation of the Church’s unity.” — Catechetical Lectures, 5.12
Cyril’s catechism centered on the creed as the essential summary of the Bible’s teaching.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) defended: “This is the faith of the universal Church: we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.” — Athanasian Creed
Athanasius emphasized the necessity of the creeds to protect and define orthodox Trinitarian belief.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) instructed: “Keep this faith whole and undefiled; the creed is your rule and your shield.” — Sermon 212
Augustine saw the creed as both doctrinal guardrail and spiritual nourishment for believers.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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