A LITTLE ABOUT ZION

our beliefs

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2: 42)

Zion Christian Church, as many other congregations in the Body of Christ, finds our beliefs most succinctly captured by the Apostles' Creed. The Apostles' Creed has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church--developed between the second and ninth centuries. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator. It has been called the Creed of Creeds.

Legend has it that the Apostles wrote this creed on the tenth day after Christ's ascension into heaven. That is not the case, though the name stuck. However, each of the doctrines found in the creed can be traced to statements current in the apostolic period. The current form of the Apostles' Creed is first found in the sixth century writings of Caesarius de Arles, an early church father and prelate; often, Bishop Caesarius is recognized as the foremost ecclesiastic of his generation.

Containing a brief summary of the Apostles' teachings, this creed sets forth their doctrine "in sublime simplicity, in unsurpassable brevity, in beautiful order, and with liturgical solemnity." In its present form it is dated no later than the sixth century. More than any other Christian creed, it may justly be called an ecumenical symbol of faith.

THE APOSTLES' CREED

We believe in God, the Father Almighty,

the Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into Hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into Heaven,

and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Ghost;

the holy Christian Church;

the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body;

and the life everlasting.