The Apostles' Creed

   This historic affirmation of faith comes to us from the early
   centuries of the Christian church.


      I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
      Creator of heaven and earth:
      And in Jesus Christ, his only 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 again from the dead;
      He ascended into heaven
      And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
      From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
      I believe in the Holy Ghost;
      The holy catholic church;     *
      The communion of saints;
      The forgiveness of sins;
      The resurrection of the body;
      And the life everlasting.

                             Amen.


                * Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of
                  believers in Christ, not just one particular church.