The Apostles Creed

Last week, when we recited the Apostles' Creed, I noticed some confusion regarding the line, "We believe in the Holy Catholic Church." This confusion is understandable because the word "Catholic" has long been associated with a specific denomination: the Roman Catholic Church.

However, in the first two centuries of Christianity, this term was used to convey that the church is universal. This means that the Church is present all over the world and includes people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

The Creed’s language expresses this universality. The church is not confined by ethnicity, geography, culture, or era. It speaks to the worldwide people of God throughout the ages. It does not imply that everyone on earth is part of the church, but rather that anyone who repents of their sin and trusts in Christ will be saved, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they have done (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9–13).

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary;
suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there, he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church [universal church];
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. 

Amen.