A creed is a formal statement of Christian belief. Three primary creeds have been used by the church across history: the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. The Apostles� Creed is the oldest creed and was in use by Christians as early as 150 A.D. The 16th century Lutheran Reformers accepted these creeds, and included them in the LCMS confessional writings as faithful expositions of Holy Scripture. The Apostles' Creed is the focus of this teaching, and it is often called the baptismal creed. Pastor Rhode introduces this creed by showing its baptismal connections, then he discusses its three parts: creation, redemption and sanctification.