The Blessed Mother with the Apostles during the Pentecost***
The Apostle’s Creed or the Credo is the compendium of the Christian Faith. It is the summation or synopsis of what the New Testament People of God believe and proclaim. Through it, “we all come in the unity of the faith” (Eph. 4:13).
The Credo has it’s counterpart in the Shema of the Old Testament People of God: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord Our God is one Lord” (Dt. 6:4). Deuteronomy 26 informs us that the Lord God instructed the Israelites that when they speak to Him, they should narrate the wondrous works He has done for them (Dt. 26:5-9). Christians on the other hand recite the twelve articles of their Faith contained in the Apostle’s Creed. One of the earliest creedal formulations is found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 which now forms part of the Apostle’s Creed.
The Creed is our “profession of faith” in which St. Paul instructs us, “let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Heb. 10:23). With the Creed, Catholics are in “one faith” in which with “the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10). St. Jude tells us to “contend for the faith that is once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The faith that is once and for all delivered to the saints may be found in the Apostles Creed.
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THE APOSTLES CREED
* I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1, Isa. 44:6; 45:5; Neh. 9:6; Jn. 1:1-3; Acts 14:15; Mt. 5:45; 1 Pt. 1:17; Mt. 6:7-13; Rom. 1:20).
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* I believe in Jesus Christ (Lk. 2:11; Jn. 2028; Mt. 3:17; Phil. 2:11),
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His only Son (Jn. 1:18; 3:16; Prov. 30:4),
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our Lord (Jn. 20:28).
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He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:35; Mt. 1:20),
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born of the Virgin Mary (Lk. 1:17; 2:7; Isa. 7:14),
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He suffered under Pontius Pilate (Lk. 23:23-25; Jn. 19:16),
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was crucified (Mt. 27:33-61; Mk. 15:22-47; Lk. 23-56; Jn. 19:18-42),
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died (1 Cor. 15:3),
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and was buried (1 Cor. 15:3).
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He descended to the dead (1 Pt. 3:18-20).
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On the third day He rose again from the dead (1 Cor. 15:4; Mt. 28:1-20; Jn. 20:1; Lk. 24:1-53; Mk. 16:1-20).
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He ascended into heaven (Mk. 16:19; Lk. 24:41; Acts 1:11).
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He is seated at the right hand of the Father Almighty (Mk. 16:19; Heb. 1:3).
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He will come again to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1; Jn. 5:22; Mt. 16:27; Acts 10:39; 1 Cor. 15:51).
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I believe in the Holy Spirit ( Jn. 14:15-20; Jn. 15:26; 16:7-8; 13-14; Acts 1:7-8; Acts 13:2),
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the Holy Catholic Church (Mt. 16:18-19; 19-20; Rom. 1:7-8; Acts 9:31; Gal. 3:26-29; Rev. 7:9; Eph. 5:26-27; Col. 1:24),
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the Communion of Saints (Heb. 10:25; Heb. 12:1; Rev. 19:14; Mt. 28:19-20; 2 Cor. 11:13; 1 Cor. 15:33),
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the forgiveness of sins (Isa. 1:18; Lk. 7:48; Jn. 20:22-23; 1 Jn. 1:9),
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the resurrection of the body (1 Thes. 4:16; Jn. 6:39; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Rom. 8:23,30),
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and life everlasting. Amen. (Jn. 10:28; 17:2-3; 1 Jn. 5:20).
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![ST. JEROME EMILIANI [1486-1537]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6dKQTchkJaA/R0lo013dyBI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XzUAPDESwwQ/s1600/St.+Jerome+in+prayer,+small_1.jpg)
I am also a catholic, but I just wonder why the statement "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" is omitted in the declaration of faith during Baptism. I listen carefully during Baptismal rites and I hear the priest saying "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered, died and was buried?". Why such omission?
ReplyDeleteDear Bro. Romy,
ReplyDeleteFrom ancient time the Profession of Faith for Baptism is limited to the very basic: THE TRINITARIAN FORMULA. Thus, the Triple question: Do you believe in God the Father...? Do you believe in Jesus Christ...? and Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
This rite is very ancient and apostolic in origin. Then later on the Councils of the Church composed a more elaborate creed with explicitation on each of the 3 essential points.
Even though it is not recited during the Baptism itself it is implied and it will be recited by the parents and godparents during the Masses and rosaries later on. The child himself will grow reciting the full version of the Creed. But the short formula of Baptism is not by omission rather it is in fidelity to the short formula used for Baptism by our forefathers.
Thank you father for the immediate reply and for posting my query. I appreciate it very much. However, I am quite puzzled when I compare the Apostle's Creed recited in the profession of faith and in Baptism. In the profession of faith during Sunday masses the satement "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" is mentioned but during baptism this same statement is not mentioned. During Baptism I hear only "... born of the virgin Mary, suffered, died and was buried". Why the name of Pontius Pilate is no longer mentioned? Just wondering, father.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, can you help me understand what does Jesus mean when he answered: "Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest".
Thank you and God bless.
Dear Fr. Abe,
ReplyDeleteGreetings! I finished my High School in Notre Dame of Sarmiento and College in University of Santo Tomas. Ever since I've been asking these same questions but I was never satisfied with the answers I got. Hope this time you can quiet my restless heart.
1. Why in the profession of faith during Sunday masses, the sentence "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" is mentioned but during baptism the phrase "under Pontius Pilate" is no longer mentioned?
2. What is the meaning of "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" in the Apostles Creed? Is there an exact verse in the bible saying "Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate" or it is just an assumption that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate?
3. I assume that Catholic Faith Defenders have more faith than me, can they now clearly explain the Holy Trinity that St. Augustine considered a mystery?
4. What is the meaning of Jesus' answer: "Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest"?
Thank you and more power.
Deare Rony,
ReplyDeleteTHE PROBLEM WITH YOU IS THAT YOU KEEP ON POSTING THE SAME QUESTIONS IN DIFFERENT POSTS SO THAT WHEN I GAVE THE ANSWER IN ONE YOU DO NOT FOLLOW IT UP AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT READ THE ANSWERS.
I HOPE THIS ANSWER WILL BE READ BY YOU FINALLY:
[1. Why in the profession of faith during Sunday masses, the sentence "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" is mentioned but during baptism the phrase "under Pontius Pilate" is no longer mentioned?]
I don't understand why you are making a fuss out of it because that passage is taken from the Gospels. Jesus died by the decree of Pilate who followed the insistence of the Jews to crucify Him.
The Baptism formala is short because it is simply asking the most basic tenets of faith. But the parents, the godparents and even the baptized will soon recite the sentence when they recite the full Creed either in the Mass or in recitation of the Holy Rosaries. So, what's your problem?
The Jews insisted that Jesus was to be cricified but it was Pilate who was in authority to make the final judgment either to kill or not. Thus, he has the full responsibility for the death of the Messiah.
[2. What is the meaning of "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" in the Apostles Creed? Is there an exact verse in the bible saying "Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate" or it is just an assumption that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate?]
The meaning of "He suffered under Pontius Pilate" is multiple:
1. Jesus truly suffered.
2. The suffering and death of Jesus is a historical event that took place under the authority of a historical figure - Pilate.
3. Jesus suffered and died 'UNDER' the authority of Pilate.
[Is there an exact verse telling Jesus sufferered under Pontius Pilate?]
That doctrinal formula is based on the Gospel. It is the synthesis of several Biblical Passages:
Matthew 27:11-31/ Mark 15:2-15/ Luke 23:3-25/ Jn 18:33-19:16
Mathew 27:24-26 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
As you can see it was Pilate who ordered Jesus to be scourged and be crucified. As a judge he was morally, legally and spiritually necessitated to release Jesus for he has found him innocent yet he had him scourged and given to the Jews to be crucified.
[3. I assume that Catholic Faith Defenders have more faith than me, can they now clearly explain the Holy Trinity that St. Augustine considered a mystery?]
The fact that the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is a Mystery does not mean that it cannot be explained clearly.In fact that doctrine is clearly explained in many Catholic Catechisms and theological books. St. Augustine also wrote a book clearly explaning the doctrine which he entitle De Trinitate.
Mystery means something that we know but cannot FULLY understand. Like for instance, the Sun. We know there is a sun. We know that it is composed of burning fire. But we do not know what it really is because none of us have come near it to examine it really.
[4. What is the meaning of Jesus' answer: "Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest"?]
It means that Jesus is living in poverty. His home is not his own. The foxes and the birds are luckier because they have permanent homes but Jesus has none because He left Nazareth and during His ministry he was staying in the House of Peter in Capernaum.
Greetings,
ReplyDeleteHi Fr. Abe. May you have a meaningful Holy Week. I'm Jayson Meneses, 24 years old. Gusto ko lang sabihin na ang galing ninyo po in answering the UST guy questions.
Ako rin po naguluhan kung bakit siya nagtatanong ng ganung questions. Tatlo lang naman yan to test you, o talagang hindi ninya alam or to annoy you.
Ako kahit I rarely read bible alam ko ang sagot dun sa dalawnag tanong niya. "Why Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate" and "Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest"?
In that 2nd question if that guy read it from the Holy Bible.
For me you don't have to get the literal meaning in every verses in the Holy Bible. You just have to contemplate on it and produce a good thing about it.
Pag gusto ninyo ng exact meaning, tama talaga you have to ask father Abe. :)
Hanggang dito na lang father, naligaw lang po ako rito I'm just looking kung paano dasalin ang rosary and malapit na akong matapos sa step by step. Nakalimutan ko na kasi kung paano dasalin and I don't have a pocket guide, marami naman sa net at ako na lang mag p-print ng guide ko. Btw, if you have an facebook account can you please add me? my e-mail is c2024j@yahoo.com thank you very much!
God bless father and more power.
Sincerely,
Jayson
You are welcome Bro. Jayson. God bless you.
ReplyDeletegood day! It would be nice singing the apostles creed during the mass but I never heard it sang. Is it ok singing the creed in the mass?
ReplyDeletegood day! It would be nice singing the apostles creed during the mass but I never heard it sang. Is it ok singing the creed in the mass?
ReplyDeleteGOOD DAY TOO. O YES! IT IS INDEED WONDERFUL SINGING THE CREED IN THE MASS.
WELL, IN THE VATICAN DURING SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS, EASTER SUNDAY MASS, ETC. THE NICENE CREED IS SUNG BEAUTIFULLY IN LATIN RIGHT IN THE TELEVISED CELEBRATIONS BEAMED LIVE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
HERE IN SORSOGON OR IN THE BICOL REGION WE USED TO SING THE APOSTLES CREED EVERY SUNDAY. THE MUSIC AND TUNE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL.
Good day father! Hope to hear the apostles creed to be sang... so curious... Anyway father, is the apostles creed really from the 12 apostles of Jesus? Anu-ano po ba ung mga parts ng bawat Apostol sa creed na ito? Thanks father, magtatalk kasi po ako about Apostles Creed para sa mga kabataan.
ReplyDeleteVincent
DEAR VINCENT,
ReplyDeleteAYON SA MATANDANG SANAYSAY NG ATING MGA EARLY CHRISTIANS ANG APOSTLES CREED AY BINUO NG MGA APOSTOLES BAGO SILA MAGHIWA HIWALAY UPANG MANGARAL SA IBAT-IBANG DAKO NG DAIGDIG. KAYA NGA APOSTLES CREED ANG TAWAG AT KAYA 12 ARTICLES ANG NILALAMAN NITO. SUBALIT PARA SA ATING PANANAMPALATAYA ANG APOSTLES CREED AY SUMMARY NG GOSPEL TRUTHS NA TINURO NG MGA APOSTOL SA BIBLIA. NAKALAGAY NA SA TAAS ANG 12 ARTICLES PERO PARA SA IKAPAPANATAG MO ITO ANG MGA IYON:
The Twelve Articles of the Apostles Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
9. I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
11. I believe in the ressurection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting.