The general title given to "the doctrinal confessions of ancient Christianity which are which are to this day either formally or tacitly acknowledged in the Greek, the Latin, and the Evangelical Protestant Churches, and form a bond of union between them" (Philip Schaff). These include the three classical creeds: the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The christological statement of the Council of Chalcedon is also sometimes included within the label.
"These three or four creeds contain, in brief popular outline, the fundamental articles of the Christian faith, as necessary and sufficient for salvation. They embody the results of the great doctrinal controversies of the Nicene and post-Nicene ages. They are a profession of faith in the only true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who made us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us. They follow the order of God's own revelation, beginning with God and the creation, and ending with the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. They set forth the articles of faith in the form of facts rather than dogmas, and are well suited, especially the Apostles' Creed, for catechetical and liturgical use." (Philip Schaff)
Further Reading:
☰ Philip Schaff, Creeds of Christendom Vol 1 Chap 2.
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