THE CREED - INTRODUCTION PART 2
The first "profession of faith" is made during Baptism. Since Baptism is given "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", the Creed is divided into three parts:
1. The Father and the wonderful work of creation;
2. Jesus Christ and the mystery of his redemption of men;
3. The Holy Spirit and the origin and source of our sanctification.
(Read CCC 189 & 190)
In accordance with an ancient tradition, it is also customary to reckon the articles of the Creed as twelve, thus symbolising the fullness of the apostolic faith by the number of the apostles.
Among all the creeds, two occupy in a special place in the Church's life:
a) The Apostle's Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith. It is also called the baptismla creed.
b) The Niceno-Constantinopolitan or Nicene Creed draws its great authority from the fact that it stems from the first two ecumenical Councils (in 325 and 381). It remains common to all the great Churches of both East and West to this day.
"This Creed is the spiritual seal, our heart's meditation and ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul." (CCC 197)
1. The Father and the wonderful work of creation;
2. Jesus Christ and the mystery of his redemption of men;
3. The Holy Spirit and the origin and source of our sanctification.
(Read CCC 189 & 190)
In accordance with an ancient tradition, it is also customary to reckon the articles of the Creed as twelve, thus symbolising the fullness of the apostolic faith by the number of the apostles.
Among all the creeds, two occupy in a special place in the Church's life:
a) The Apostle's Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith. It is also called the baptismla creed.
b) The Niceno-Constantinopolitan or Nicene Creed draws its great authority from the fact that it stems from the first two ecumenical Councils (in 325 and 381). It remains common to all the great Churches of both East and West to this day.
"This Creed is the spiritual seal, our heart's meditation and ever-present guardian; it is, unquestionably, the treasure of our soul." (CCC 197)