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vulnerable position this doctrine sustained at the* 

 time these creeds were drawn up. 



The (Ecumenical creeds are three in number. 

 They are, first, the Apostles, second, the Nicene,. 

 and third, the Athanasian. 



The Athanasian creed seems to be the one- 

 against which the opponents of orthodoxy hurl 

 their heaviest missiles. Luther claimed that 

 the Athanasian Creed was " the most important 

 and glorious composition since the days of the- 

 Apostles." And of the same opinion were Dean 

 Stanley and Hodge. 



It represents the belief and teaching of its time- 

 (A. D. 434), and is the clearest statement of the 

 present orthodox faith. 



Its opening article declares that "Whosoever 

 will be saved: before all things it is necessary 

 that he hold the Catholic (Christians) faith':- 

 Which faith, except every one do keep whole and 

 undented, without doubt he shall perish everlast- 

 ingly (absque dubio in ceternum pesibit)," and at 

 its close it again declares, that " they that have' 

 done good shall go into life everlasting; and they 

 that have done evil, into everlasting fire (in 

 ignem ceternum). This is the Catholic (true- 

 Christian) faith." 



The above quotation is taken from a creed 

 which expresses the belief of the Universal 

 Christian Church. 



