Not The Apostles Creed

The Apostles Creed is recognizable to most “Christians” in the world.

Does this sound familiar?

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.  I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary…”

The creed is recited as part of the Roman Catholic Mass and baptism.  The Episcopalians, Lutherans and Methodists also recite the creed as part of their baptism rituals.  It may come as a surprise to the laity in the Protestant branches of Christianity to learn that Catholics recite the Apostles Creed and vice versa.  Why?  Because the Apostles Creed is a “statement of faith” and these different religions are taught that their religion is the correct religion, yet they all have the same “statement of faith.”  Even more surprising is that this creed cannot be found in the Bible or in any other writings by the Apostles.  So, where did it come from?