111. How Was the Apostles' Creed Formulated?

According to one ancient writer who quotes from tradition, it was Peter who contributed the first sentence--"I believe in God the Father Almighty"; John added--"Maker of heaven and earth"; James--''And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord"; Andrew-- "Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary"; Philip--''Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified dead and buried"; Thomas--"He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead"; Bartholomew--"He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty"; Matthew--''From whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead." The other clauses were contributed by James (son of Alpheus), Simon Zelotes, Jude and Matthias. It should be remembered, however, that neither Luke nor any ecclesiastical writer before the fifth century makes mention of an assembly of the apostles to formulate a creed, and the early fathers never claimed that the apostles framed it. Its date and the circumstances of its origin are uncertain.