Apostles Creed
Image via Wikipedia For hundreds of years Christians believed that the twelve apostles were the authors of the widely known creed that bears their name. According to an ancient theory, the twelve composed the creed with each apostle adding a clause to form the whole. Today practically all scholars understand this theory of apostolic composition to be legendary. Nevertheless, many continue to think of the creed as apostolic in nature because its basic teachings are agreeable to the theological formulations of the apostolic age. The full form in which the creed now appears stems from about A.D. 700: 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 rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father A