Words the church put in writing

Creeds and Confessions

Quick answer: This index collects historical statements of faith known as the creeds of the christian church. Each entry provides the full public domain text, a plain historical explanation, and related Bible verses in two translations.

A creed is a concise summary of core beliefs written down by historical Christian communities. Over the centuries, church leaders gathered to clarify orthodox doctrine and address theological controversies. These documents served to unite congregations around shared foundational truths and to guard against misunderstandings regarding the nature of God, Jesus Christ, and salvation. They remain important markers in the history of Christian thought.

This index organizes those historical texts for easy study. Each page presents the public domain text of a specific statement along with neutral background context on when and why it was written. You will also find related scripture references drawn from traditional and modern translations. Every resource on this site is free to read, copy, and share without creating an account or viewing any advertisements.

Choose a document

The Apostles' Creed

c. 390–750 · Explore the history, structure, and early origins of the apostles creed as a foundational summary of Christian faith used through the centuries.

The Nicene Creed

325 / 381 · Discover the history and significance of the nicene creed, an ancient statement defining key Christian beliefs about the Son and Holy Spirit.

The Athanasian Creed

c. 500–600 · Read the historic athanasian creed in full, explore its careful wording on the Trinity and two natures of Christ, and browse related scripture.

The Chalcedonian Definition

451 · Read the chalcedonian definition in full, explore its historical context regarding Christ's nature, and browse related public domain scripture.

The Westminster Confession of Faith

1646 · Read the historic text of the westminster confession of faith from 1646, presented in full public domain English without ads or account walls.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism

1647 · Explore the westminster shorter catechism from 1647, featuring traditional questions and answers in clear public domain English without ads.

The Heidelberg Catechism

1563 · Read the heidelberg catechism online for free, with historical background, key points, and related scripture passages from our database.

The Augsburg Confession

1530 · Explore the augsburg confession for free on our site, featuring historical context, key points, and related scripture references without ads.

All of these documents are centuries old and out of copyright; each page prints its own text or a stated excerpt and links to a full public-domain edition. For the same words in modern English alongside the original, see our verse of the day and verse meanings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a creed?

A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief and doctrine. The word comes from the Latin word meaning I believe. These texts summarize core tenets agreed upon by historical church councils.

Which documents are covered in this index?

This collection includes major historical statements from early church councils and Reformation-era confessions. Each text is selected for its lasting impact on Christian history and theology.

Are the creed texts free to reuse?

Yes. Every document featured here is in the public domain. You are free to copy, share, print, or adapt these texts for personal study, teaching, or ministry purposes without restriction.

Is this website free and does it require an account?

The entire website is completely free to use. There are no registration forms, no user accounts required, and no advertisements of any kind displayed on the pages.

Creeds and Confessions

Choose a document

Frequently Asked Questions

More Keep reading