The Early Christians: Creed, Confession and Scripture

What did the first Christians believe? Despite the diversity that marked 
the early church, and despite the lack (at that time) of a New Testament 
canon, there emerged a basic common confession of faith in "one body, one 
Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of 
all..." (Eph. 4:4-6). In our day, formalized expressions of religion are 
often looked at askance. To early believers, however, the "rule of faith" 
was regarded as a yardstick by which to measure and shape all thinking and

conduct. Embraced by recent converts, it bespoke apostolic authority and 
thus illuminated their search to understand - and promulgate - the new 
faith.