There are some famous historical creeds, and short
statements of faith which accurately embody the central doctrines and
concepts of Christianity. A few of the more prominent ones are
presented below.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but
have eternal life. (American Standard Version (ASV) translation)
[Jesus speaking:) "After this manner
therefore pray ye.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be
thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so
on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive
us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And bring
us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one]."
Matthew
6:9-13 (ASV)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which
also I received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
and that he was buried; and that he hath been
raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
and that
he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;
then he appeared to
above five hundred brethren at once,
of whom the greater part
remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;
then he appeared
to James; then to all the apostles;
and last of all, as to the
[child] untimely born, he appeared to me also.
1
Corinthians 15:3-8 (ASV)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born
of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On
the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is
seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to
judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic*
Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
*
i.e. "universal",
not Roman Catholic