The Penny Catechism - The Apostles' Creed

CATECHISM FOR BEGINNERS

The Apostles Creed

13. What are the chief things which God has revealed?

The chief things which God has revealed are contained in the Apostles' Creed.

14. Say the Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary;
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence 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.  Amen.

15. How is the Apostles' Creed divided?

The Apostles' Creed is divided into twelve parts or articles.

First Article of the Creed

16. What is the first article of the Creed?

The first article of the Creed is, 'I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth'.

17. What is God?

God is the supreme Spirit, who alone exists of himself, and is infinite in all perfection.

18. Why is God called Almighty?

God is called 'Almighty' because he can do all things; 'For God everything is possible'. (Matt. 19:26)

19. Why is God called Creator of heaven and earth?

God is called 'Creator of heaven and earth' because he made heaven and earth, and all things, out of nothing, by his word.

20. Had God any beginning?

God had no beginning: he always was, he is, and he always will be.

21. Where is God?

God is everywhere.

22. Does God know and see all things?
God knows and sees all things, even our most secret thoughts.

23. Had God any body?

God has no body; he is a spirit.

24. Is there only one God?

There is only one God.

25. Are there three Persons in God?

There are three Persons in God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

26. Are these three Persons three Gods?

These three Persons are not three Gods: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one and the same God.

27. What is the mystery of the Three Persons in one God called?

The mystery of the three Persons in one God is called the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.

28. What do you mean by a mystery?

By a mystery I mean a truth which is above reason, but revealed by God.

29. Is there any likeness to the Blessed Trinity in your soul?

There is this likeness to the Blessed Trinity in my soul: that as in one God there are three Persons, so in my one soul there are three powers.

30. Which are the three powers of your soul?

The three powers of my soul are my memory, my understanding, and my will.

The Second Article of the Creed

31. What is the second article of the Creed?

The second article of the Creed is, 'and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord'.

32. Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is God the Son, made man for us.

33. Is Jesus Christ truly God?

Jesus Christ is truly God.

34. Why is Jesus Christ truly God?

Jesus Christ is truly God because he has one and the same nature with God the Father.

35. Was Jesus Christ always God?

Jesus Christ was always God, born of the Father from all eternity.

36. Which Person of the Blessed Trinity is Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

37. Is Jesus Christ truly man?

Jesus Christ is truly man.

38. Why is Jesus Christ truly man?

Jesus Christ is truly man because he has the nature of man, having a body and soul like ours.

39. Was Jesus Christ always man?

Jesus Christ was not always man. He has been man only from the time of his Incarnation.

40. What do you mean by the Incarnation?

I mean by the Incarnation that God the Son took to himself the nature of man: 'the Word was made Flesh'. (John 1:14)

41. How many natures are there in Jesus Christ?

There are two natures in Jesus Christ, the nature of God and the nature of man.

42. Is there only one Person in Jesus Christ?

There is only one Person in Jesus Christ, which is the Person of God the Son.

43. Why was God the Son made man?

God the Son was made man to redeem us from sin and hell, and to teach us the way to heaven.

44. What does the holy name Jesus mean?

The holy name Jesus means Saviour. (Matt. 1:21)

45. What does the name Christ mean?

The name Christ means Anointed.

46. Where is Jesus Christ?

As God, Jesus Christ is everywhere. As God made man, he is in heaven, and in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

The Third Article of the Creed

47. What is the third article of the Creed?

The third article of the Creed is, 'who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary'.

48. What does the third article mean?

The third article means that God the Son took a Body and Soul like ours, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

49. Had Jesus Christ any father on earth?

Jesus Christ had no father on earth: St Joseph was only his guardian or foster-father.

50. Where was our Saviour born?

Our Saviour was born in a stable at Bethlehem.

51. On what day was our Saviour born?

Our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.

The Fourth Article of the Creed

52. What is the fourth article of the Creed?

The fourth article of the Creed is, 'suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried'.

53. What were the chief sufferings of Christ?

The chief sufferings of Christ were: first, his agony, and his sweat of blood in the Garden; secondly, his being scourged at the pillar, and crowned with thorns; and thirdly his carrying his cross, his crucifixion, and his death between two thieves.

54. What are the chief sufferings of our Lord called?

The chief sufferings of our Lord are called the Passion of Jesus Christ.

55. Why did our Saviour suffer?

Our Saviour suffered to atone for our sins, and to purchase for us eternal life.

56. Why is Jesus Christ called our Redeemer?

Jesus Christ is called our Redeemer because his precious blood is the price by which we were ransomed.

57. On what day did our Saviour die?

Our Saviour died on Good Friday.

58. Where did our Saviour die?

Our Saviour died on Mount Calvary.

59. Why do we make the sign of the cross?

We make the sign of the cross - first, to put us in mind of the Blessed Trinity; and secondly to remind us that God the Son died for us on the Cross.

60. In making the sign of the cross how are we reminded of the Blessed Trinity?

In making the sign of the cross we are reminded of the Blessed Trinity by the words, 'In the name of the Father, 1 and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit'.

61. In making the sign of the cross how are we reminded that Christ died for us on the Cross?

In making the sign of the cross we are reminded that Christ died for us on the Cross by the very form of the cross which we make upon ourselves.

The Fifth Article of the Creed

62. What is the fifth article of the Creed?

The fifth article of the Creed is, 'he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead'.

63. What do you mean by the words, 'he descended into hell'?

By the words 'he descended into hell' I mean that, as soon as Christ was dead, his blessed Soul went down into that part of hell called Limbo.

64. What do you mean by Limbo?

By Limbo I mean a place of rest, where the souls of the just who died before Christ were detained.

65. Why were the souls of the just detained in Limbo?

The souls of the just were detained in Limbo because they could not go up to the kingdom of heaven till Christ had opened it for them.

66. What do you mean by the words, 'the third day he rose again from the dead'?

By the words, 'the third day he rose again from the dead', I mean that, after Christ had been dead and buried part of three days, he raised his blessed Body to life again on the third day.

67. On what day did Christ rise again from the dead?

Christ rose again from the dead on Easter Sunday.

The Sixth Article of the Creed

68. What is the sixth article of the Creed?

The sixth article of the Creed is, 'he ascended into heaven; is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty'.

69. What do you mean by the words, 'he ascended into heaven'?

By the words, 'be ascended into heaven', I mean that our Saviour went up Body and Soul into heaven on Ascension Day, forty days after his resurrection.

70. What do you mean by the words, 'is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty'?

By the words, 'is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty', I do not mean that God the Father has hands, for he is a spirit; but I mean that Christ, as God, is equal to the Father and, as man, is in the highest place in heaven.

The Seventh Article of the Creed

71. What is the seventh article of the Creed?

The seventh article of the Creed is, 'from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead'.

72. When will Christ come again?

Christ will come again from heaven at the last day, to judge all mankind.

73. What are the things Christ will judge?

Christ will judge our thoughts, words, works, and omissions.

74. What will Christ say to the wicked?

Christ will say to the wicked: 'Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'. (Matt. 25:41)

75. What will Christ say to the just?

Christ will say to the just: 'Come you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you'. (Matt. 25:34)

76. Will every one be judged at death, as well as at the last day?

Every one will be judged at death, as well as at the last day: 'Since men only die once, and after that comes judgement'. (Heb. 927)

The Eighth Article of the Creed

77. What is the eighth article of the Creed?

The eighth article of the Creed is, 'I believe in the Holy Spirit.

78. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

79. From whom does the Holy Spirit proceed?

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

80. Is the Holy Spirit equal to the Father and to the Son?

The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and to the Son, for he is the same Lord and God as they are.

81. When did the Holy Spirit come down on the Apostles?

The Holy Spirit carne down on the Apostles at Pentecost, in the form that 'seemed like tongues of fire'. (Acts 2:3)

82. Why did the Holy Spirit come down on the Apostles?

The Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles to confirm their faith, to sanctify them, and to enable them to found the Church.

The Ninth Article of the Creed

83. What is the ninth article of the Creed?

The ninth article of the Creed is, 'the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints'.

84. What is the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church is the union of all the faithful under one Head.

85. Who is Head of the Catholic Church?

The Head of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ our Lord.

86. Has the Church a visible Head on earth?

The Church has a visible Head on earth - the Bishop of Rome, who is the Vicar of Christ.

87. Why is the Bishop of Rome the Head of the Church?

The Bishop of Rome is the Head of the Church because he is the successor of St Peter, whom Christ appointed to be the Head of the Church.

88. How do you know that Christ appointed St Peter to be the Head of the Church?

I know that Christ appointed St Peter to be the Head of the Church because Christ said to him: 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven'. (Matt. 16:18.19)

89. What is the Bishop of Rome called?

The Bishop of Rome is called the Pope, which signifies Father.

90. Is the Pope the Spiritual Father of all Christians?

The Pope is the Spiritual Father of all Christians.

91. Is the Pope the Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians?

The Pope is the Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians, because Christ made St Peter the Shepherd of the whole flock when he said: 'Feed my lambs, feed my sheep'. He also prayed that his 'faith' might never fail, and commanded him to 'strengthen' his brothers. (John 21:15-17, Luke 22:32)

92. Is the Pope infallible?

The Pope is infallible.

93. What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible?

When I say that the Pope is infallible, I mean that the Pope cannot err when, as Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals, to be held by the whole Church.

94. Has the Church of Christ any marks by which we may know her?

The Church of Christ has four marks by which we may know her: she is One - she is Holy - she is Catholic - she is Apostolic.

95. How is the Church One?

The Church is One because all her members agree in one Faith, have all the same Sacrifice and Sacraments, and are all united under one Head.

96. How is the Church Holy?

The Church is Holy because she teaches a holy doctrine, offers to all the means of holiness and is distinguished by the eminent holiness of so many thousands of her children.

97. What does the word Catholic mean?

The word Catholic means universal.

98. How is the Church Catholic or universal?

The Church is Catholic or universal because she subsists in all ages, teaches all nations, and is the one Ark of Salvation for all.

99. How is the Church Apostolic?

The Church is Apostolic because she holds the doctrines and traditions of the Apostles, and because, through the unbroken succession of her Pastors, she derives her Orders and her Mission from them.

100. Can the Church err in what she teaches?

The Church cannot err in what she teaches as to faith or morals, for she is our infallible guide in both.

101. How do you know that the Church cannot err in what she teaches?

I know that the Church cannot err in what she teaches because Christ promised that the gates of hell should never prevail against his Church; that the Holy Spirit should teach her all things; and that he himself would be with her always, even to the end of time. (Matt. 16:18. .lohn 14:16-26. Matt. 28:20)

102. What do you mean by the Communion of Saints?

By the Communion of Saints I mean that all the members of the Church, in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory, are in communion with each other, as being one body in Jesus Christ.

103. How are the faithful on earth in communion with each other?

The faithful on earth are in communion with each other by professing the same faith, obeying the same authority. and assisting each other with their prayers and good works.

104. How are we in communion with the Saints in heaven?

We are in communion with the Saints in heaven by honouring them as the glorified members of the Church, and also by praying to thern, and by their praying for us.

105. How are we in communion with the souls in purgatory?

We are in communion with the souls in purgatory by helping them with our prayers and good works: 'It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins'. (2 Macc. 12:46)

106. What is purgatory?

Purgatory is a place where souls suffer for a time after death on account of their sins.

107. What souls go to purgatory?

Those souls go to purgatory that depart this life in venial sin; or that have not fully paid the debt of temporal punishment due to those sins of which the guilt has been forgiven.

108. What is temporal punishment?

Temporal punishment is punishment which will have an end, either in this world, or in the world to come.

109. How do you prove that there is a purgatory?

I prove that there is a purgatory from the constant teaching of the Church; and from the doctrine of Holy Scripture, which declares that God will render to every man according to his works; that nothing defiled shall enter heaven; and that some will be saved, 'as one who has gone through fire. (Matt. 16:27. Apoc. 21:27. 1 Cor. 3:15)

The Tenth Article of the Creed

110. What is the tenth article of the Creed?

The tenth article of the Creed is, 'the forgiveness of sins'.

111. What do you mean by 'the forgiveness of sins'?

By the forgiveness of sins I mean that Christ has left the power of forgiving sins to the Pastors of his Church. (John 20:23)

112. By what means are sins forgiven?

Sins are forgiven principally by the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance.

113. What is sin?

Sin is an offence against God, by any thought, word, deed, or omission against the law of God.

114. How many kinds of sin are there?

There are two kinds of sin, original sin and actual sin.

115. What is original sin?

Original sin is that guilt and stain of sin which we inherit from Adam, who was the origin and head of all mankind.

116. What was the sin committed by Adam?

The sin committed by Adam was the sin of disobedience when he ate the forbidden fruit.

117. Has all mankind contracted the guilt and stain of original sin?

All mankind has contracted the guilt and stain of original sin, except the Blessed Virgin and her Divine Son, through whose foreseen merits she was conceived without the least guilt or stain of original sin.

118. What is this privilege of the Blessed Virgin called?

This privilege of the Blessed Virgin is called the Immaculate Conception.

119. What is actual sin?

Actual sin is every sin which we ourselves commit.

120. How is actual sin divided?

Actual sin is divided into mortal sin and venial sin.

121. What is mortal sin?

Mortal sin is a serious offence against God.

122. Why is it called mortal sin?

It is called mortal sin because it is so serious that it kills the soul and deserves hell.

123. How does mortal sin kill the soul?

Mortal sin kills the soul by depriving it of sanctifying grace, which is the supernatural life of the soul.

124. Is it a great evil to fall into mortal sin?

It is the greatest of all evils to fall into mortal sin.

125. Where will they go who die in mortal sin?

They who die in mortal sin will go to hell for all eternity.

126. What is venial sin?

Venial sin is an offence which does not kill the soul, yet displeases God, and often leads to mortal sin.

127. Why is it called venial sin?

It is called venial sin because it is more easily pardoned than mortal sin.

The Eleventh Article of the Creed

128. What is the eleventh article of the Creed?

The eleventh article of the Creed is, 'the resurrection of the body'.

129. What do you mean by 'the resurrection of the body'?

By 'the resurrection of the body' I mean that we shall rise again with the same bodies at the day of judgment'.

The Twelfth Article of the Creed

130. What is the twelfth article of the Creed?

The twelfth article of the Creed is, 'life everlasting'.

131. What does 'life everlasting' mean?

'Life everlasting' means that the good shall live for ever in the glory and happiness of heaven.

132. What is the glory and happiness of heaven?

The glory and happiness of heaven is to see, love, and enjoy God for ever.

133. What does the Scripture say of the happiness of heaven?

The Scripture says of the happiness of heaven: 'No eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him.' (1 Cor. 2:9)

134. Shall not the wicked also live for ever?

The wicked also shall live and be punished for ever in the fire of hell.

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