Seven Early Christian Creeds That Trace the Faith Back to the First Church
The Earliest Christian Creeds
Early Christian Creeds Preserved in the New Testament
Seven Early Christian Creeds from the First Years of the Church
The Earliest Confessions of Christian Faith
Early Christian Creeds Preserved in the New Testament
Seven Early Christian Creeds from the First Years of the Church
The Earliest Confessions of Christian Faith
Many historians note that before the New Testament books were fully written and circulated, early Christians were already preserving core beliefs in short creedal statements—memorable summaries used in preaching, worship, and teaching.
Several of these are embedded in the New Testament itself, and many scholars believe they date to within a few years of Jesus’ crucifixion.
1 Corinthians 15:3 (KJV)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received…”
The phrase “received” indicates that Paul was passing on an earlier tradition, likely a creed used by the earliest Christians.
Below are seven early creedal statements widely discussed by historians and biblical scholars.
1️⃣ The Resurrection Creed
(1 Corinthians 15:3–7)
First Epistle to the Corinthians
This passage is considered by many scholars to be the earliest known Christian creed.
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried,
And that he rose again the third day…”
Many historians date this tradition to AD 30–35, within just a few years of the crucifixion.
Key beliefs affirmed:
- Jesus died for sins
- He was buried
- He rose from the dead
- He appeared to witnesses
2️⃣ The Philippians Christ Hymn
(Philippians 2:6–11)
Epistle to the Philippians
This passage appears to be an early Christian hymn or creed about Jesus’ nature.
“Who, being in the form of God…
humbled himself…
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
It presents one of the earliest statements about Jesus’ divine status and exaltation.
3️⃣ The Romans Confession
(Romans 10:9)
Epistle to the Romans
A short confession used in early Christian worship:
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus…
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead…”
This formula reflects a simple early creed summarizing Christian belief.
4️⃣ The 1 Timothy Hymn
(1 Timothy 3:16)
First Epistle to Timothy
This poetic passage appears to preserve an early Christian liturgical statement.
“God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit,
seen of angels…”
It summarizes key events in the life and mission of Christ.
5️⃣ The Colossians Christ Hymn
(Colossians 1:15–20)
Epistle to the Colossians
Many scholars believe this passage reflects an early creedal hymn about Christ’s cosmic role.
“He is the image of the invisible God…
by him were all things created…”
6️⃣ The “Jesus Is Lord” Confession
(1 Corinthians 12:3)
A very early confession used in Christian worship.
“No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
The phrase “Jesus is Lord” may have been the earliest Christian creed.
7️⃣ The Acts Sermon Tradition
(Acts 2:22–24)
Acts of the Apostles
Peter’s sermon includes an early summary of the gospel message:
- Jesus’ ministry
- His crucifixion
- His resurrection
“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”
Why historians find these creeds significant
These statements show that core Christian beliefs existed very early, even before the New Testament books were completed.
They demonstrate that the earliest Christians already proclaimed:
- Jesus’ crucifixion
- His resurrection
- His divine authority
- His role as Lord and Messiah
Because some of these creeds date to within a few years of the crucifixion, historians often view them as some of the earliest evidence for the beliefs of the first Christian communities.
Acts 4:20 (KJV)
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
These early creeds reveal that the central message about Jesus was already being proclaimed, memorized, and repeated from the very beginning of the Christian movement.