Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 8
February 28, 1967
NUMBER 42, PAGE 14

Catholicism And The "Apostles' Creed"

Luther W. Martin, St. James, Missouri

The Roman Church publication, Our Sunday Visitor, dated December 9, 1956, publishes the following statement on its front page:

"For history tells us that thus it was in the first years of the Church, before the year 67 A.D. Then, in the Council of the Church at Jerusalem, the apostles gave to the Church what is known as the 'Apostles' Creed.' We all know that, in this 'Creed,' the Church is named officially 'The Holy Catholic Church.' But before this Council, these first followers of Christ called themselves: 'disciples' and 'believers.' But, above all, they delighted in the title of: 'those of the Way'." (We copied the complete paragraph. LWM.)

There are several FALSE statements in the above paragraph. We'll consider them one at a time.

(1) "THE APOSTLES GAVE TO THE CHURCH THE 'APOSTLES' CREED' AT THE COUNCIL IN JERUSALEM." Although the 15th chapter of Acts of the Apostles gives the text of the letter that the church in Jerusalem dispatched to Antioch in order to alleviate the problems and controversy at Antioch, it contained nothing even akin to the so-called 'Apostles' Creed.' See Acts 15:23-29. The 'Apostles' Creed' is NOT CONTAINED IN THE BIBLE!

The FALSITY of the assertion made the priest-author of the Our Sunday Visitor article can be demonstrated by excerpts from other Roman Catholic writers.

(a) "... the articles 'descended into hell; 'the communion of saints,' 'eternal life,' and the words 'suffered,' 'CATHOLIC,' amen,' WERE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL FORM OF THE CREED. THEY WERE ADDED IN THE FIFTH CENTURY." (Emphasis mine, LWM. Taken from page 229, Catholic Dictionary, Addis, Arnold and Scannell.) Therefore, Author Hurley's assertion that the Apostles' gave the name 'Catholic' to the church at the Jerusalem Conference... falls flat . . . it's false! (b) " . . . in the light of ensuing centuries, it seems rather unlikely that the apostles drafted an official summary of faith. The title Apostles' Creed is found for the first time in a letter sent by the synod of Milan (390 A.D.) to Pope St. Siricius (384-98). Though not written by the apostles, the Apostles' Creed is a faithful summary of the truths taught from the earliest days of the church." (Page 1, The Church Teaches; Documents of the Church, Translated by the Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary's College.) In the foregoing quotation, we have another Catholic ADMISSION that the apostles did not write this alleged 'Apostles' Creed.' THEREFORE, THE APOSTLES DID NOT GIVE THE NAME CATHOLIC TO THE APOSTATE ROMAN CHURCH! Priest Hurley to the contrary, not withstanding. (c) "THE APOSTLES' CREED. A brief statement of fundamental Christian beliefs, formerly attributed to the Apostles themselves The present form dates from before 700 A . D " (Page 28, The Catholic Dictionary, by Donald Attwater.) Did you note that this author uses the expression "FORMERLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE APOSTLES THEMSELVES"? Scholarship now admits that the apostles never delivered such a 'CREED' . . . . but that's not what Our Sunday Visitor has to 'spoon-feed' to its unsuspecting readers.

(2) THE SECOND FALSEHOOD UNDER CRITICISM, actually collapses of its own weight after the failure of the first noted. The word 'CATHOLIC' was not used in reference to any religious movement until the second century. Priest B. L. Conway in his book, The Question Box, makes this concession to truth on page 132.

Questions For Catholics

(1) If the 'Jerusalem Council' gave the name 'Catholic' to the Church in about 49 A.D., why wasn't it used by the later writers of the New Testament? Such as Peter's statement .... "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed." (I Peter 4:16.)

(2) If the name 'Catholic' was being used during the 1st century, as Priest Hurley asserts, why did not the inspired Apostle John uses the expression in the Apocalypse (Revelation)? Particularly, when he penned letters to the seven churches in Asia?

(3) Will Our Sunday Visitor reply to this criticism? We hope so!