The New Testament and the Apostolic Creed
Christ’s Conception
Born of the Virgin Mary
Christ’s Suffering and Death
God’s Only Begotten Son
He Descended into Hell
I Believe in God the Father, Almighty....
Our Lord
Apostolic Confession - Maker of Heaven and Earth
Apostolic Confession - Holy Catholic Church
Apostolic Confession - I Believe On the Third Day He Rose Again
Apostolic Confession - I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins
Apostolic Confession - I Believe in the Communion of Saints
Apostolic Confession - I Believe He Will Come Again to Judge the Quick and the Dead
Apostolic Confession - I Believe He Suffered Under Pontius Pilate
Apostolic Confession - I Believe He Descended into Hell
Apostolic Confession - Amen
Apostolic Confession - God’s Son, Our Lord
Apostolic Confession - Christ: Conceived, Born
Did Jesus Preach the Gospel to People in Hell during the Two Days He Was Dead?
Does 1 Peter 3:18-22 teach that Jesus descended into hell and preached to the dead there? There has been an ongoing debate over the years about whether Jesus went to hell and proclaimed the gospel or his spirit went to the Father upon his death (Luke 23:22, 26). The article discusses one of the views that is widely accepted concerning what happened to Jesus between the crucifixion and resurrection.
If You Confess
The Church
I Believe … In Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, Our Lord
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say "Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord." The name 'Jesus' points to Christ's work as Saviour, while the title 'Christ' points to how Jesus accomplishes this through the three offices. 'Begotten' refers to Christ as the second person of the Trinity, and 'Lord' speaks of His deity.
I Believe … In Jesus Christ … Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. The work of the Holy Spirit in Christ's conception ensured Christ's sinless state, while "being born of the virgin Mary" shows Christ's humanity and God's faithfulness to His covenant.
He Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Dead, and Buried
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that "Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried". By pointing to Pontius Pilate we are given the historical certainty of Christ's death.
He Descended into Hell
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that they believe that Christ descended into hell. Hell represents the extent of God's wrath, which we deserved. By satisfying that wrath, Christ has given us assurance of salvation.
From Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and the Dead
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that they believe Christ will come to judge the living and the dead. Through this confession believers express their longing for and conviction of Christ's return, and that Christ is the Judge. Judgment day is a comfort to believers, while at the same time it calls the church to evangelize.
I Believe in the Holy Spirit
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that they believe in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God together with the Father and Son. In His work He draws attention to Christ, applies the work of Christ to believers, works to sanctify believers, and helps believers in their prayer.
I Believe in … The Holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints
This article on the Apostles' Creed describes what Christians confess when they say that they believe in the holy catholic church and the communion of saints.
I Believe in … The Forgiveness of Sins
This article on the Apostles' Creed examines what Christians confess when they say that they believe in the forgiveness of sins.
I Believe in … The Resurrection of the Body
This article on the Apostles' Creed examines what Christians confess when they say that they believe in the resurrection of the body. Salvation will be fully complete when Christians have also experienced bodily resurrection - not just spiritual resurrection. The body will be transformed and will be raised by the same power which raised Christ's body from the grave.
'I Believe in … The Life Everlasting, Amen'
This article on the Apostles' Creed examines what Christians confess when they say that they believe in the life everlasting. The author shows how eternal life is given in Christ on the basis of what He did for us. The nature of this life is fellowship with God.
The Holy Spirit: Spirit of the Father and The Spirit of The Son
Christ and the Cosmos
The Apostles’ Creed
This article gives a brief introduction to the Apostle's Creed and its message.
"He Descended into Hell"
This article considers the meaning of the clause in the Apostles' Creed, "He descended into hell." It considers the relevant Bible passages, as well as the nature of creeds, the relationship between the Father and the Son, the holiness of God, and Jesus' experience of the passion.
He Did Descend to Hell: In Defense of the Apostles' Creed
This essay contends that there are biblical, historical, and theological reasons for retaining the clause "he descended to hell" in the Apostles' Creed.
He Did Not Descend into Hell: A Plea for Following Scripture instead of the Apostle's Creed
Did Jesus descend into hell like the Apostles' Creed confesses? Grudem argues against this article, and considers the phrase as one that was later introduced into the creed. The article considers the origin of the phrase "he descended into hell" and possible biblical support for the confession in passages like Acts 2:27, Ephesians 4:8-9, Romans 10:6-7, and 1 Peter 3:18-20.