In the early third century Christians rose up in response to Gnostic heresy by clarifying their convictions in the Apostles’ Creed. It has remained the most influential creed in church history:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Note: The word "catholic" with a lower case 'c' does not mean the Roman Catholic Church, but the universal Christian Church as a whole. The term “descent into hell” has long been the subject of disagreement between Christians. Clearly, the heretical interpretation of the Word Faith teachers (Kenneth Copeland in particular) claim that it was Jesus' descent to hell and not his death on the cross that redeemed sinners is unacceptable.
